Acceptable Use Policy

(Last updated April 15, 2016)

This Acceptable Use Policy (the “AUP”) governs your use of all products and services (collectively, the “Services”) offered by Tech Futures, as may be further described in any written proposal submitted by Tech Futures to you or any service order forms submitted by you and accepted by Tech Futures (collectively, the “Service Order Form”). This AUP applies to you and your employees, agents, contractors, or other users who obtain Services from Tech Futures (each such person or entity being a “User”). BY REGISTERING FOR AND USING THE SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS AUP AND AGREE THAT YOU AND YOUR USERS WILL BE BOUND BY ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AUP.

1. Prohibited Use.  Tech Futures’s services may only be used for lawful purposes. Users may not use Tech Futures’s Services to engage in, foster, or promote illegal, abusive, or irresponsible behaviour, including:

• (a)        Utilizing the Services to send mass unsolicited e-mail to third parties. Provided, however, that Users may use software programs or services provided by Tech Futures to send unsolicited commercial e-mail so long as the User ensures that such transmissions comply with all applicable state, federal and international regulations, rules and laws, including, without limitation, Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).
• (b)        Utilizing the Services to be involved in the distribution of tools designed for the aiding of unsolicited bulk email.
• (c)        Utilizing the Services in such a way that User becomes documented on a recognised SPAM abuse list or if the User has previously been denied access from another provider due to similar acceptable use policy violations.
• (d)       Using Internet Relay Chat (“IRC”) on the Company network. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of IRC clients, server software, bots or anything related to IRC.
• (e)        Utilizing the Services in connection with any illegal activity. Without limiting the general application of this provision, Users may not: utilise the services to:
  • (i)         Copy material from third parties (including text, graphics, music, videos or other copyrightable material) without proper authorization;
  • (ii)        Misappropriate or infringe the patents, copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights of any third party;
  • (iii)       Traffic in illegal drugs, illegal gambling, obscene materials or other any products or services that are prohibited under applicable law;
  • (iv)       Export encryption software to points outside Canada in violation of applicable export control laws; or
  • (v)        Violate any applicable provincial, federal and international law.
• (f)        Utilizing the Services in connection with any tortious or actionable activity. Without limiting the general application of this provision, Users may not utilise the Services to:
  • (i)         Publish or disseminate information that (A) constitutes slander, libel or defamation, (B) publicizes the personal information or likeness of a person without that person’s consent or (C) otherwise violates the privacy rights of any person; or
  • (ii)        Threaten persons with bodily harm, to make harassing or abusive statements or messages, or to solicit the performance of acts or services that are illegal under applicable law.
• (g)        Utilizing the Services in connection with any other disruptive or abusive activity. Without limiting the general application of this provision, Users may not utilise the Services to:
  • (i)         Cause denial of service attacks against Tech Futures or other network hosts or Internet users or to otherwise degrade or impair the operation of Tech Futures servers and facilities or the servers and facilities of other network hosts or Internet users;
  • (ii)        Offer mail services, mail forwarding capabilities, POP accounts or autoresponders other than for the User’s own account;
  • (iii)       Resell access to CGI scripts installed on Tech Futures servers;
  • (iv)       Subvert, or assist others in subverting, the security or integrity of any Tech Futures systems, facilities or equipment;
  • (v)        Gain unauthorized access to the computer networks of Tech Futures or any other person;
  • (vi)       Provide passwords or access codes to persons not authorized to receive such materials by the operator of the system requiring the password or access code;
  • (vii)      (A) forge the signature or other identifying mark or code of any other person, (B) impersonate or assume the identity or any other person, or (C) engage in any other activity (including “spoofing”) to attempt to deceive or mislead other persons regarding the true identity of the User (excluding the use of anonymous remailers or Internet nicknames);
  • (viii)     Distribute or post any virus, worm, Trojan horse, or computer code intended to disrupt services, destroy data, destroy or damage equipment, or disrupt the operation of the Services;
  • (ix)       Conduct port scans or other invasive procedures against any server (except any server for which the User is an authorized system administrator);
  • (x)        Distribute, advertise or promote software or services that have the primary purpose of encouraging or facilitating unsolicited commercial e-mail or spam;
  • (xi)       Solicit or collect, or distribute, advertise or promote, e-mail address lists for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating unsolicited commercial e-mail or spam;
  • (xii)      Post messages, run scripts or run software programs that consume excessive CPU time or storage space;
  • (xiii)     In any manner that might subject Tech Futures to unfavorable regulatory action, subject Tech Futures to any liability for any reason, or adversely affect Tech Futures public image, reputation or goodwill, including, sending or distributing sexually explicit, hateful, vulgar, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable materials; or
  • (xiv)     In any other manner to interrupt or interfere with the Internet usage of other persons.

2. Notice and Procedure for Reporting Violations.

• Reporting Non-Copyright Violations. Tech Futures encourages Users to report violations of the AUP by e-mail to: abuse@techfutures.xyz, including in any such report the name of the offending domain (for example, xyz.com), the IP address and the type of abuse (for example, spam, illegal acts, harassment, etc.) in the “subject” field of the e-mail.

•  Repeat Infringers. It is Tech Futures policy to terminate in appropriate circumstances the Services of customers who are repeat infringers.

3. Remedies.

• (a)        Violations.  If Tech Futures learns of a violation of the AUP, then Tech Futures may take any of the following actions, in accordance with the severity and duration of the violation:
  • (i)         Warning the User;
  • (ii)        Removing the offending content;
  • (iii)       Suspending the offending User from the Services;
  • (iv)       Terminating the offending User from the Services;
  • (v)        Imposing fees or charges on the offending account in accordance with the applicable service contract; or
  • (vi)       Taking other action in accordance with this AUP, the applicable service contract, or applicable law.

• (b)        Enforcement Actions.  Tech Futures will provide you with at least 48 hours notice (by email or otherwise) of any proposed suspension, restriction, limitation, modification, or termination of the Services or any functionality related to the Services based on an alleged violation of this AUP, the applicable service contract, or any other reason; provided, however, if (i) your violation of this AUP immediately threatens the security of or damages to Tech Futures network, information, data, software, hardware, or facilities or (ii) such suspension, restriction, limitation, modification, or termination is at the request of law enforcement or required by the appropriate legal authorities, then Tech Futures will give you as much notice as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances. To the extent that any element or functionality of the Services, including, without limitation, a particular account or “server,” is suspended, restricted, limited, modified, or terminated, Tech Futures will use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the effects against any other component or functionality of the Services.
• (c)        Cooperation with Law Enforcement.  Tech Futures reserves the right to involve and cooperate with law enforcement or the appropriate legal authorities in investigations of claims of illegal activity involving Tech Futures Services or any Users thereof and to respond to any violations of this AUP to the extent permitted under applicable law. You agree that Tech Futures is authorized to monitor communications into, and out of, its network facilities to prevent the introduction of viruses or other hostile code, to prevent intrusions, and to otherwise enforce the terms of this AUP. You further agree that Tech Futures may disclose any and all of your information including, without limitation, assigned IP numbers, account history, and account use to any law enforcement agent who makes a written request, without further consent or notification to you.