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Twin Cities Free-Net
Acceptable Use Policy

Introduction

Twin Cities Free-Net ("TCFN") is a Minnesota non-profit corporation whose mission is to help build community within the Twin Cities metropolitan area by promoting dialogue and information sharing, without regard to social or economic status, through the use of information technologies.

This is the TCFN Acceptable Use Policy. By using the TCFN system, all TCFN users agree to abide by the terms of this Acceptable Use Policy.

TCFN Policy

It is the policy of TCFN to allow its registered users to send and receive e-mail over the Internet, and to post publicly viewable information on the TCFN system and on the Internet. TCFN also provides its users with access to a wide variety of information available on the TCFN system and on the Internet. With the exception of information specifically authored by or on behalf of TCFN, TCFN does not develop or publish, nor does TCFN review, censor or edit the materials and information which are posted on the TCFN system, or the materials and information which are accessible through the other computer networks to which the TCFN system may be connected. The persons and organizations, including TCFN users, who publish materials and information which are accessible through the TCFN system are solely responsible to know and to comply with all laws applicable to the publication of such materials and information. TCFN is not responsible for the content of the material and information published by others which is accessible through the TCFN system and is not responsible for the violation of any laws resulting from such publication.

TCFN Guidelines

All TCFN users must comply with the TCFN Acceptable Use Policy and the acceptable use policies governing other networks and computer systems which they may access through the TCFN system. The following guidelines are part of the TCFN Acceptable Use Policy.

It is the responsibility of all TCFN users to:

use TCFN services and facilities in a manner which does not violate any applicable laws or regulations;
use their legally recognized names when registering an account and when participating in the Free-Net community, except in areas which are specified as "anonymous;"
respect the privacy of other users, and to not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of or modify files, other data or passwords belonging to other users without permission;
respect the legal protection provided by copyright, trademark, licenses and other laws to programs, data and documents;
use TCFN services and facilities in a manner which does not interfere with or disrupt other network users, services or equipment. Such interference or disruption includes, but is not limited to:
- wide-scale distribution of messages to inappropriate forums or mailing lists,
- propagation of computer worms or viruses, and
- use of the network to make unauthorized access, disruption or monitoring of other computational, informational or communications devices or resources. This includes unauthorized security probing activities or other attempts to evaluate the security integrity of a network or host system without permission.

Liability

TCFN is not responsible for, and makes no claim to, any material placed on its system by users other than TCFN. TCFN does not claim any copyright, trademark, or other interest in information accessed through its system other than information created by TCFN.
TCFN does not guarantee that the function of its system will meet any specific requirements that any user may have, nor that it will be error-free or available on an uninterrupted basis, nor shall TCFN be liable for any damages incurred in connection with the use of this system.
Each TCFN user is responsible for the consequences of knowingly allowing another person to use his/her password.

Enforcement and Violations

Even though TCFN does not review, censor or edit the material and information which is accessible on the TCFN system or other networks to which the TCFN system may be connected, if TCFN becomes aware that a TCFN user is in violation of the law or this Acceptable Use Policy, TCFN reserves the right to impose disciplinary action up to and including, the expulsion of the user from TCFN, termination of TCFN services, and forfeiture of all donations, dues or fees paid to date. Evidence of illegal or prohibited activities may be reported to law enforcement authorities. If TCFN becomes aware of any material posted on the TCFN system which is in violation of the law or this Acceptable Use Policy, TCFN reserves the right to remove such material from the system.

Modifications to this policy

TCFN reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Registered users will receive prompt notification of all modifications.

Questions related to the TCFN Acceptable Use Policy should be addressed to:

    General Manager
    Twin Cities Free-Net
    P.O. Box 50503
    Minneapolis, MN 55405-0503
    
    Phone: (651) 256-2112 thereafter
    E-mail: genmanager@tcfreenet.org

Adopted by the TCFN Board of Directors, January 23, 1997.

Users of TCFN are also bound by the MRNet Acceptable Use Policy.