Introduction

VetLink is at all times committed to complying with the laws and regulations governing use of the Internet, e-mail transmission and text messaging and preserving for all of its Customers the ability to use VetLink's network and the Internet without interference or harassment from other users. The VetLink Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") is designed to help achieve these goals.

By using IP Service(s), as defined below, Customer(s) agrees to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy and to remain responsible for its users. VetLink reserves the right to change or modify the terms of the AUP at any time, effective when posted on VetLink's web site at https://getvetlink.com/?page=legal&doc=aup. Customer's use of the IP Service(s) after changes to the AUP are posted shall constitute acceptance of any changed or additional terms.

Scope of the AUP

The AUP applies to the VetLink services that provide (or include) access to the Internet, including hosting services (software applications and hardware), or are provided over the Internet or wireless data networks (collectively "IP Services").

Prohibited Activities

Failure to adhere to the rules, guidelines or agreements applicable to search engines, subscription Web services, chat areas, bulletin boards, Web pages, USENET, applications, or other services that are accessed via a link from the VetLink-branded website or from a website that contains VetLink-branded content is a violation of this AUP.

Spam/E-mail or Usenet abuse is prohibited using IP Services. Examples of Spam/E-mail or Usenet abuse include but are not limited to the following activities:

• sending multiple unsolicited electronic mail messages or "mail-bombing" – to one or more recipient;
• sending unsolicited commercial e-mail, or unsolicited electronic messages directed primarily at the advertising or promotion of products or services;
• sending unsolicited electronic messages with petitions for signatures or requests for charitable donations, or sending any chain mail related materials;
• sending bulk electronic messages without identifying, within the message, a reasonable means of opting out from receiving additional messages from the sender;
• sending electronic messages, files or other transmissions that exceed contracted for capacity or that create the potential for disruption of the VetLink network or of the networks with which VetLink interconnects, by virtue of quantity, size or otherwise;
• using another site's mail server to relay mail without the express permission of that site;
• using another computer, without authorization, to send multiple e-mail messages or to retransmit e-mail messages for the purpose of misleading recipients as to the origin or to conduct any of the activities prohibited by this AUP;
• using IP addresses that the Customer does not have a right to use;
• collecting the responses from unsolicited electronic messages;
• maintaining a site that is advertised via unsolicited electronic messages, regardless of the origin of the unsolicited electronic messages;
• sending messages that are harassing or malicious, or otherwise could reasonably be predicted to interfere with another party's quiet enjoyment of the IP Services or the Internet (e.g., through language, frequency, size or otherwise);
• using distribution lists containing addresses that include those who have opted out;
• sending electronic messages that do not accurately identify the sender, the sender's return address, the e-mail address of origin, or other information contained in the subject line or header;
• falsifying packet header, sender, or user information whether in whole or in part to mask the identity of the sender, originator or point of origin;
• using redirect links in unsolicited commercial e-mail to advertise a website or service;
• posting a message to more than ten (10) online forums or newsgroups, that could reasonably be expected to generate complaints;
• intercepting, redirecting or otherwise interfering or attempting to interfere with e-mail intended for third parties;
• knowingly deleting any author attributions, legal notices or proprietary designations or labels in a file that the user mails or sends;
• using, distributing, advertising, transmitting, or otherwise making available any software program, product, or service that is designed to violate this AUP or the AUP of any other Internet Service Provider, including, but not limited to, the facilitation of the means to spam.

Security Violations

Customers are responsible for ensuring and maintaining security of their systems and the machines that connect to and use IP Service(s), including implementation of necessary patches and operating system updates.

IP Services may not be used to interfere with, gain unauthorized access to, or otherwise violate the security of VetLink's (or another party's) server, network, network access, personal computer or control devices, software or data, or other system, or to attempt to do any of the foregoing. Examples of system or network security violations include but are not limited to:

• unauthorized monitoring, scanning or probing of network or system or any other action aimed at the unauthorized interception of data or harvesting of e-mail addresses;
• hacking, attacking, gaining access to, breaching, circumventing or testing the vulnerability of the user authentication or security of any host, network, server, personal computer, network access and control devices, software or data without express authorization of the owner of the system or network;
• impersonating others or secretly or deceptively obtaining personal information of third parties (phishing, etc.);
• using any program, file, script, command or transmission of any message or content of any kind, designed to interfere with a terminal session, the access to or use of the Internet or any other means of communication;
• distributing or using tools designed to compromise security (including but not limited to SNMP tools), including cracking tools, password guessing programs, packet sniffers or network probing tools (except in the case of authorized legitimate network security operations);
• knowingly uploading or distributing files that contain viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancel bots, corrupted files, root kits or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another's computer, network system or other property, or be used to engage in modem or system hi-jacking;
• engaging in the transmission of pirated software;
• with respect to dial-up accounts, using any software or device designed to defeat system time-out limits or to allow Customer's account to stay logged on while Customer is not actively using the IP Services or using such account for the purpose of operating a server of any type;
• using manual or automated means to avoid any use limitations placed on the IP Services;
• providing guidance, information or assistance with respect to causing damage or security breach to VetLink's network or systems, or to the network of any other IP Service provider;
• failure to take reasonable security precautions to help prevent violation(s) of this AUP.

Customer Responsibilities

Customers remain solely and fully responsible for the content of any material posted, hosted, downloaded/uploaded, created, accessed or transmitted using the IP Services. VetLink has no responsibility for any material created on the VetLink's network or accessible using IP Services, including content provided on third-party websites linked to the VetLink network. Such third-party website links are provided as Internet navigation tools for informational purposes only, and do not constitute in any way an endorsement by VetLink of the content(s) of such sites.

Customers are responsible for taking prompt corrective action(s) to remedy a violation of AUP and to help prevent similar future violations.

AUP Enforcement and Notice

Customer's failure to observe the guidelines set forth in this AUP may result in VetLink taking actions anywhere from a warning to a suspension or termination of Customer's IP Services. When feasible, VetLink may provide Customer with a notice of an AUP violation via e-mail or otherwise allowing the Customer to promptly correct such violation.

VetLink reserves the right, however, to act immediately and without notice to suspend or terminate affected IP Services in response to a court order or government notice that certain conduct must be stopped, or when VetLink reasonably determines that the Customer's use of the affected IP Services may: (1) expose VetLink to sanctions, prosecution, civil action or any other liability; (2) cause harm to or interfere with the integrity or normal operations of VetLink's network or networks with which VetLink is interconnected; (3) interfere with another VetLink Customer's use of IP Services or the Internet; (4) violate any applicable law, rule or regulation; or (5) otherwise present an imminent risk of harm to VetLink or VetLink Customers.

Copyright Infringement & Digital Millennium Copyright Act

VetLink respects the intellectual property rights of others. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (the "DMCA" found at 17 U.S.C. § 512) provides that owners of copyrighted works who believe that their rights under U.S. copyright law have been infringed may report alleged infringements to service providers like VetLink. In accordance with the DMCA and other applicable laws, VetLink maintains a policy that provides for the termination of IP Services, under appropriate circumstances, if Customers are found to be a repeat infringer and/or if Customers' IP Services are used repeatedly for infringement (the "Repeat Infringer Policy"). VetLink may terminate IP Services at any time with or without notice to Customers.

VetLink has no obligation to investigate possible copyright infringements with respect to materials transmitted by Customer or any other users of the IP Services. However, VetLink will process valid notifications of claimed infringement under the DMCA, and continued receipt of infringement notifications for Customer's account will be used as a factor in determining whether Customer is a repeat infringer. In addition, VetLink may voluntarily participate, on terms acceptable to VetLink, in copyright alert and graduated response programs.

Incident Reporting

Any complaints (other than claims of copyright infringement) regarding violation of this AUP by an VetLink Customer (or its user) should be directed to abuse@getvetlink.com. Where possible, include details that would assist VetLink in investigating and resolving such complaint (e.g., expanded headers, IP address(s), a copy of the offending transmission and any log files).

DMCA Copyright Notifications:

Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §§ 512(b)–(d), a copyright holder may send VetLink a valid notification of claimed copyright infringement under the DMCA. For further information regarding such notifications, see https://getvetlink.com/?page=legal&doc=dmca. VetLink's designated agent to receive notifications of claimed infringement as described in DMCA subsection 512(c)(3) is:

Registered Copyright Agent
4825 Creekstone Drive, Suite 300
Durham, NC 27703
E-mail: copyright@getvetlink.com

Due to the substantial volume of notifications of claimed infringement that VetLink receives and processes, we are unable to accept notices of alleged copyright infringement via this designated agent or email address other than notifications of claimed infringement sent pursuant to Sections 512(b)–(d).

VetLink also provides transitory digital network communications services, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 512(a). In connection with such services, VetLink provides an online form that copyright holders should use to send notifications related to alleged copyright infringement by its users based on the standards of the Automated Copyright Notice System (ANCS). Copyright holders should use this online form to submit complaints related to alleged peer-to-peer file sharing (i.e. sharing media files via peer-to-peer networking technology), or other forms of copyright notice other than those sent pursuant to Sections 512(b)–(d) of the DMCA ("ISP Conduit Notices"). By submitting complaints using this online form, we are able to more efficiently manage and process ISP Conduit Notices. Due to the substantial volume of copyright notices that VetLink receives, we are unable to guarantee processing of ISP Conduit Notices that are sent by other means. Copyright holders can access VetLink's online form at https://getvetlink.com/?page=contact&type=p2pnotices. Please note that copyright holders must complete all fields in the online form before submitting.