Usage Policy

Version 1.3
Last Modified: February 16, 2011

Scope:

This Acceptable Use Policy (this “Policy”) governs the usage of CTFREEMASONS.NET (CTFM) products and services (the Services”). This Policy is incorporated by reference into each Lodge Web site hosting arrangement CTFM enters into for the use of such Services and includes any and all arrangement CTFM enters into to provide email capability. CTFM may modify this Policy at any time without notification.

In addition, this Policy is incorporated by reference into the Terms and Conditions applicable to CTFM's Web sites and email capability so that no person who utilizes CTFM’s Web sites and email capability (regardless of whether that person is a Lodge or Brother) may take any action utilizing CTFM's Web site or email capability that a Lodge or Brother would be prohibited to take utilizing the Services.

Purpose:

The purpose of this Policy is to enhance the quality of the Services and protect CTFM’s Lodges and Brothers from illegal, negligent, or disorderly Internet activities.  This Policy applies to each Lodge and Brothers of such Lodge who obtain Services from CTFM (each such person being a User).  Each User should use common sense and good judgment in connection with the Services. Parents or guardians should always supervise minors in using the Internet. Parents and guardians should remain aware at all times of what is on the Internet and how the minors under their care are using the Services and the Internet.

Prohibited Uses of Services and Equipment:

Users may not:

  1. Utilize the Services to send spam or mass unsolicited e-mail to third parties.
  2. Utilize the Services in connection with any illegal activity.

 

Without limiting the general application of this rule, Users may not:

  1. Utilize the Services to copy material from third parties (including text, graphics, music, videos or other copyrightable material) without proper authorization;
  2. Utilize the Services to misappropriate the patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property rights of any third party;
  3. Utilize the Services to traffic in illegal gambling, illegal drugs, or any other products or services that are prohibited under applicable law;
  4. Utilize the Services to export encryption software to points outside the United States in violation of applicable export control laws; or
  5. Utilize the Services in any manner that violates applicable law.
  6. Utilize the Services in connection with any tortuous or actionable activity.

 

Without limiting the general application of this rule, Users may not:

  1. Utilize the Services to publish or disseminate information that:
    1. constitutes slander, libel or defamation,
    2. publicize the personal information or likeness of a person without that person’s consent, or
    3. otherwise violate the privacy rights of any person
  2. Utilize the Services to make harassing or abusive statements, threaten persons with bodily harm, or to solicit the performance of acts that are illegal under applicable law.
  3. Utilize the Services in connection with any other disruptive or abusive activity, and without limiting the general application of this rule, Users may not:
  4. Utilize the Services to cause denial of service attacks against CTFM or other network hosts or Internet users or to otherwise degrade or impair the operation of CTFM’s servers and facilities or the servers and facilities of other network hosts or Internet users;
  5. Post messages or software programs that consume excessive CPU time or storage space;
  6. Utilize the Services to offer mail services, mail forwarding capabilities, POP accounts or autoresponders other than for the User’s own account;
  7. Utilize the Services to resell access to CGI scripts installed on CTFM's servers;
  8. Utilize the Services to subvert, or assist others in subverting, the security or integrity of any CTFM systems, facilities or equipment;
  9. Utilize the Services to gain unauthorized access to the computer networks of CTFM’s or any other person;
  10. Utilize the Services to provide passwords or access codes to persons not authorized to receive such materials by CTFM’s operator of the system requiring the password or access code;
  11. Utilize the Services to:
    1. forge the signature or other identifying mark or code of any other person,
    2. impersonate or assume the identity or any other person, or
    3. engage in any other activity (including “spoofing”) to attempt to deceive or mislead other persons regarding the true identity of the User;
  12. Utilize the Services to distribute or post any virus, Trojan horse, worm, or computer code intended to disrupt services, destroy or damage equipment, destroy data, or disrupt the operation of the Services;
  13. Utilize the Services to conduct port scans or other invasive procedures against any server (except any server for which the User is an authorized system administrator);
  14. Utilize the Services to distribute, advertise or promote software or services that have the primary purpose of encouraging or facilitating spam or unsolicited commercial e-mail;
  15. Utilize the Services to solicit or collect, or distribute, advertise or promote, e-mail address lists for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating spam or unsolicited commercial e-mail;
  16. Utilize the Services in any manner that might subject CTFM to unfavorable regulatory action, subject CTFM to any liability for any reason, or adversely affect CTFM’s public image, reputation or goodwill, including, without limitation, vulgar, hateful, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable materials as determined by CTFM in its sole discretion; or
  17. Utilize the Services in any other manner to interrupt or interfere with the Internet usage of other persons.

 

Violations:

  1. Disclaimer: CTFM expressly disclaims any obligation to monitor its Lodges and Brothers with respect to violations of this Policy.  CTFM has no liability or responsibility for the actions of any of its Lodges and Brothers or any content they may post on any Web site.
  2. Reporting Non-Copyright Violations: CTFM encourages Users to report violations of this policy to CTFM including in any such report the name of the offending Lodge or Brother and the type of abuse (for example, illegal acts, harassment, spam, etc.).
  3. Reporting Copyright Violations: It is our policy to respond to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (the text of which can be found at the U.S. Copyright Office Web Site, http://lcWeb.loc.gov/copyright/) and other applicable intellectual property laws, which may include removing or disabling access to material claimed to be the subject of infringing activity.

If we remove or disable access to comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we will make a good-faith attempt to contact each affected site so that they may make a counter notification pursuant to sections 512(g)(2) and (3) of that Act. It is our policy to document all notices of alleged infringement on which we act.

To file a notice of infringement with us, you must provide a written communication by regular mail. Please note that you will be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is infringing your copyrights. Accordingly, if you are not sure whether certain material of yours is protected by copyright laws, we suggest that you first contact an attorney.

Send the written communication to the following address:

Connecticut Freemasons, A.F. & A.M. 
Attn: Lodge Support, DMCA Complaints
P.O. Box 250
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492

Remedies: If CTFM learn of a violation of this Policy, CTFM will respond to the applicable Lodge and may, in CTFM’s sole discretion, take any of the following actions, in accordance with the severity and duration of the violation:

  • Warning the Lodge;
  • Suspending the offending Lodge from the Services;
  • Terminating the offending Lodge from the Services;
  • Imposing fees or charges on the offending Lodge account;
  • Removing the offending content;
  • Taking other action in accordance with this Policy or applicable law.

 

Reservation of Rights:

CTFM reserve the right to cooperate with appropriate Masonic authorities in investigations of claims of illegal activity involving CTFM’s Services involving Lodges and Brothers and other Users.

CTFM reserve all other rights to respond to violations of this Policy to the extent of applicable law and in accordance with any applicable contractual obligations. CTFM may utilize technical means to monitor communications into, and out of, its network facilities to prevent the introduction of viruses or other hostile code, to prevent intrusions and otherwise to enforce this Policy and each Lodge agrees that CTFM is authorized to monitor its communications through CTFM’s network for such purposes.