MCG Acceptable Use Policy
Last Updated: 09-17-2024

All Mahaska Communication Group (MCG) customers should read this document. You are responsible for the policy written here, and your account WILL BE DISABLED WITHOUT WARNING if you violate it.

This Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) governs high-speed Internet service provided to you by Mahaska Communication Group, LLC (together with any subsidiaries or affiliates providing your Service, hereafter “ Mahaska Communication Group,” “MCG,” “we,” “us” or “Company”). It includes the following terms and provisions, which may be amended or modified from time to time as provided herein. The terms and provisions of this AUP are without limitation of any rights to suspend or terminate Service that the Company otherwise possesses under your Agreement or applicable Law.

APPLICABILITY

This AUP applies to you as a customer and to any other person, authorized or abusive, using your Service (each such person is a “User”). For purposes of this AUP, your use includes, and you are responsible for, the use of all Users who access Service through your account. It is your responsibility to take precautions to limit access to Service to approved Users.

COMPLIANCE REQUIRED

Pursuant to your Agreement, all customers have agreed to and must comply with this AUP. MCG reserves the right to terminate or suspend Service immediately or to otherwise disconnect, remove, block, filter, or restrict your use of Service if MCG determines, in its sole discretion, that such use is illegal or violates this AUP. MCG will cooperate with legal authorities and/or third parties in the investigation of any suspected or alleged crime or civil wrong. If MCG believes that you have used Service for an unlawful or abusive purpose, MCG may forward the relevant communication and other information, including your identity, to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution. You hereby consent to MCG’s forwarding of any such communications and information to these authorities. In addition, MCG may provide information in response to law enforcement requests, lawful government requests, subpoenas, and court orders to protect its rights and property and in the case where failure to disclose the information may lead to imminent harm to you or others. MCG also reserves the right to take action on abuse that is not explicitly named in this AUP at the sole discretion of MCG. Use of the MCG’s systems and network constitutes understanding and Agreement of this policy.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

This AUP identifies certain uses and activities that MCG considers to be unlawful or abusive and, therefore, strictly prohibited. The examples listed herein are non-exclusive and are provided solely for guidance to customers. MCG, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to discontinue Service for any unlawful use. In the event of uncertainty as to whether any contemplated use or activity is permitted, please contact a customer service representative for assistance. In addition to any other illegal or abusive uses or activities, the following constitute violations of this AUP:

1 - RESALE OF SERVICE

Service is available for individual customer internal use only and not for resale. Reselling Service without MCG’s written authorization is strictly prohibited.

2 - UNLAWFUL USE

Using Service in any manner that violates local, state, or federal Law, including without limitation using Service to transmit any material (by email, facsimile, or otherwise) whose transmission is unlawful under any local, state, or federal Law applicable to such transmission.

3 - COPYRIGHT OR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT

Using Service to transmit any material (by email, file sharing software, direct download, FTP sites or otherwise) that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary rights of the Company or any third party, including, but not limited to, the unauthorized copying of copyrighted material, the digitization and distribution of photographs from magazines, books, or other copyrighted sources, the digitization and distribution of copyrighted video or music, and the unauthorized transmittal of copyrighted software. You may not rebroadcast, transmit, or perform video programming service, charge admission for its viewing, or transmit or distribute running accounts of it.

4 - VIOLATION OF THE DIGITAL MILLENIUM COPYRIGHT ACT (DMCA)

Using Service to circumvent any technological measures used by copyright owners to protect their works or using Service to produce or disseminate technology primarily designed or produced to circumvent DMCA protections, that have only limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent; or that are marketed for use in circumventing DMCA protections. For additional information concerning your rights and responsibilities in connection with reporting or responding to claims of copyright infringement, see Reporting Claims of Copyright Infringement, below.

5 - HARM TO MINORS

Using Service to harm, or attempt to harm, minors in any way, including but not limited to activities involving child pornography or the sexual exploitation of children.

6 - THREATS

Using Service to transmit any material (by email or otherwise) that illegally threatens or encourages bodily harm or destruction of property.

7 - HARRASSMENT AND CYBERBULLYING

Using Service to transmit any material (by email or otherwise) that unlawfully harasses another.

8 - FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY

Using Service to make fraudulent offers to sell or buy products, items, or Services, or to advance any financial scam such as “pyramid schemes,” “Ponzi schemes,” unregistered sales of securities, securities fraud, and “chain letters.”

9 - FORGERY OR IMPERSONATION

Adding, removing or modifying identifying network, message or article header information in an effort to deceive or mislead is prohibited while using Service. Attempting to impersonate any person by using forged headers or other identifying information is prohibited.

10 - UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL/UNSOLICITED BULK COMMUNICATIONS

Using Service to transmit any unsolicited commercial or bulk email, faxes or other communications in violation of applicable federal or state Law. Activities that have the effect of facilitating illegal, unsolicited commercial or bulk email, faxes or other communications are prohibited. Using deliberately misleading headers in emails sent to multiple parties is prohibited.

11 - INTENTIONAL NETWORK DISRUPTIONS AND ABUSIVE ACTIVITY

Using Service for any activity that adversely affects the ability of other people or systems to use Service. This specifically, but without limitation, includes excessive consumption of network or system resources, whether intentional or unintentional. This also includes “denial of service” (DoS) attacks against another network host or individual user. Interference with or disruption of other network users, network services, or network equipment is prohibited. The transmission of viruses or malware or engaging in “mail bombing,” “chat flooding,” cybersquatting, and similar unlawful behavior is also prohibited. Attempting to circumvent user authentication or security of any host, network, or account on MCG’s systems or the Internet at large (“cracking”). This includes scanning or probing ports without the consent of the owner of the machine being scanned.

12 - UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS

Using Service to access, or to attempt to access without authority, the accounts of others, or to penetrate, or attempt to penetrate, security measures of MCG’s or a third party’s computer software or hardware, electronic communications system, or telecommunications system, whether or not the intrusion results in disruption of Service or the corruption or loss of data.

13 - COLLECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

Using Service to collect, or attempt to collect, personal information about third parties without their knowledge or consent in violation of applicable state or federal Law.

NETWORK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

MCG reserves the right to protect its network from harm, which may impact legitimate data flows. MCG reserves the right to limit throughput or amount of data transferred, and to deny or discontinue Service, without notice, to anyone it believes is using an unlimited data plan or feature in any unauthorized or abusive manner or whose usage adversely impacts MCG’s network or Service levels. Specific management practices and Service descriptions and disclosure of Service pricing can be obtained by contacting us. You can also find these descriptions and disclosures on our Website at: https://www.mahaska.org/networkpolicy. In addition to this AUP, MCG’s broadband Internet access services are subject to the Company’s Network Transparency Statement, the most recent version of which can be found on our Website.

CONTENT

You will be liable for any and all liability that may arise out of the content you transmit. You shall ensure that your use of Service and content complies at all times with all applicable laws, regulations, and written and electronic instructions. MCG reserves the right to disconnect or suspend your Service and remove your content from Service if MCG determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such use or content does not conform with any applicable law, the requirements set forth in this AUP or interfere with MCG’s ability to provide Service to you or others. MCG’s action or inaction under this Section will not constitute any review, waiver, or approval of your usage or content.

SERVICE MONITORING

MCG is under no obligation to monitor a customer’s usage, bandwidth, transmissions and/or content of Service. However, MCG may monitor the usage, bandwidth, transmissions, and content of Service periodically and may test service performance periodically, in either case as required (a) to comply with any necessary laws, regulations, or other governmental requests or (b) operate Service properly or to protect itself, its network and its customers and subscribers. MCG reserves the right to modify, reject, or eliminate any information residing on or transmitted to its server that it, in its sole discretion, believes is unacceptable or in violation of this AUP or any other terms and provisions applicable to Service.

DOMAIN NAME SERVICE

Keeping registry information updated and accurate is the responsibility of the domain holder and not MCG. Acceptable use of the domain name service does NOT include falsifying or omitting valid domain contact information, including administrative, technical, zone, and billing contacts. Such usage will result in termination of Service.

WEB/FTP SITES

Acceptable use of MCG’s web/FTP space does NOT include: the distribution of illegal pornographic or otherwise indecent or offending materials, distribution of restricted software or materials in violation of copyrights or distribution licenses, or any other illegal activity prohibited under Item #4, notated above.

THEFT OF SERVICE

You should notify MCG immediately if you become aware at any time that your Service is being stolen, fraudulently used, or otherwise being used in an unauthorized manner. When you provide such notification, you must provide your account number and a detailed description of the circumstances of the theft, fraudulent or abusive use of Service. Failure to do so in a timely manner may result in the disconnection of your Service, additional charges to you, and civil or criminal liability. Until MCG receives notice of the theft, fraudulent use, or abusive use, you will be liable for all stolen, fraudulent, or abusive use of Service. MCG reserves all of its rights at Law and otherwise to proceed against anyone who uses Service illegally or improperly.

INDEMNIFICATION

By signing your Service contract (for contract customers) and/or by activating or using Service (for non-contract customers), you agree to use Service only for authorized, lawful purposes in accordance with this AUP. In addition to being subject to other remedies, liabilities, and obligations under Law or applicable agreements, you shall defend, indemnify, and hold MCG harmless from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and legal costs) incurred in connection with all claims, suits, judgments, and causes of action for damages arising from the breach by you or your Users of any provision of this AUP.

TERMINATION OF SERVICE

Access to and use of Service is subject to strict compliance with this AUP and all applicable Law and contractual provisions. MCG has the right to terminate access to or use of Service as provided in this AUP, your Service contract, and our terms of Service, as applicable. If Service is suspended or disconnected for violation of this AUP, you will be responsible for all fees and/or recovery charges associated with the termination of Service, as set forth in your service contract or our terms of Service.

MODIFICATIONS

MCG may modify the terms and conditions of this AUP in a commercially reasonable manner from time to time and shall provide you notice of such changes by publication on our Website, bill message, or other commercially reasonable notice. If you continue to use Service after receiving notice of such changes, your continued use of Service will be in accordance with this AUP, as amended.

SURVIVAL

The provisions of this AUP that, by their sense and context, are intended to survive the discontinuance or disconnection of your use of Service shall survive such discontinuance or disconnection.

GOVERNING LAW

This AUP and the relationship between you and MCG shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Iowa, without regard to the principles of conflict of Law.

NO WAIVER OF RIGHTS

MCG’s failure to exercise or enforce any right under or provision of this AUP shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

SEVERABILITY

If any part or provision of this AUP is legally declared invalid or unenforceable, that part or provision will be construed as consistent with applicable Law as nearly as possible, and the remaining parts and provisions will remain in full force and effect. Such invalidity or non-enforceability will not invalidate or render unenforceable any other part or provision of this AUP.

APPLICABILITY TO WI-FI HOTSPOTS

If your agreed terms of Service permit establishing one or more Wi-Fi Hotspots, this AUP applies to the use of such Service. Without limiting the preceding, (a) you may not resell Service, and (b) you are responsible for compliance with this AUP, including compliance of all Users.

REPORTING CLAIMS OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

We take claims of copyright infringement seriously. We will respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement that comply with applicable Law. If you believe a User of this Service has infringed your copyright, you may report the alleged violation by submitting a notification that satisfies the requirements of the DMCA (designated below). In accordance with the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512) (”DMCA”), the written notice (the “DMCA Notice”) must include substantially the following:

  • Your physical or electronic signature.

  • Identification of the copyrighted work you believe to have been infringed or, if the claim involves multiple works on the Website, a representative list of such works.

  • Identification of the material you believe to be infringing in a sufficiently precise manner to allow us to locate that material.

  • Adequate information by which we can contact you (including your name, postal address, telephone number, and, if available, email address).

  • A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use of the copyrighted material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the Law.

  • A statement that the information in the written notice is accurate.

  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

If you fail to comply with all of the requirements of Section 512(c)(3) of the DMCA, your DMCA Notice may not be effective.

Copyright owners may use their own notification of claimed infringement form that satisfies the requirements of Section 512(c)(3) of the U.S. Copyright Act. Under the DMCA, anyone who knowingly makes misrepresentations regarding alleged copyright infringement may be liable to MCG, the alleged infringer, and the affected copyright owner for any damages (including costs and fees) incurred in connection with the removal, blocking, or replacement of allegedly infringing material under Section 512(f) of the DMCA. 

COUNTER-NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

If you believe that material you posted on the Website was removed or access to it was disabled by mistake or misidentification, you may file a counter-notification with us (a “Counter-Notice”) by submitting notification that satisfies the requirements of the DMCA. Pursuant to the DMCA, the Counter-Notice must include substantially the following:

  • Your physical or electronic signature.

  • An identification of the material that has been removed or to which access has been disabled and the location at which the material appeared before it was removed or access disabled.

  • Adequate information by which we can contact you (including your name, postal address, telephone number, and, if available, email address).

  • A statement under penalty of perjury by you that you have a good faith belief that the material identified above was removed or disabled as a result of a mistake or misidentification of the material to be removed or disabled.

  • A statement that you will consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the judicial district in which your address is located (or if you reside outside the United States for any judicial district in which the Website may be found) and that you will accept Service from the person (or an agent of that person) who provided the Website with the complaint at issue.

Upon receipt of a Counter Notice, MCG shall promptly provide the complaining party with a copy of the Counter-Notice and inform the party we will replace the removed material or cease disabling access to it within 10 business days. The DMCA allows us to restore the removed content no less than 10, but not more than 14 business days after receipt of the Counter-Notice if the party filing the original DMCA Notice does not file a court action against you.

Please be aware that if you knowingly materially misrepresent that material or activity on the Website was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification, you may be held liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.

REPEAT INFRINGERS

It is our policy to disable and/or terminate the accounts of users who are repeat infringers in appropriate circumstances. For additional information concerning account termination due to DMCA violations, see DMCA Termination below.

DMCA TERMINATION

It is MCG’s policy to comply with the DMCA's “safe harbor” provisions for Internet Service Providers. Without limiting any other rights or remedies available to any copyright owner or to MCG under this AUP or applicable Law, MCG may terminate Service for repeated and willful violations of the DMCA.

  • Termination of Service (Residential Accounts)

    • MCG will suspend or disconnect Service if four (4) DMCA offenses are recorded on a residential account in any twelve (12) month period. Service will be suspended or disconnected for a minimum period of 12 months. If Service is suspended or disconnected under this Section, you will be responsible for all fees and/or recovery charges associated with the termination of Service, as set forth in our Terms and Conditions of Service.

  • Termination of Service (Business Accounts)

    • MCG will suspend or disconnect Service if any DMCA offenses are recorded on a business account. Service will be suspended or disconnected for a minimum period of 12 months. If Service is suspended or disconnected under this Section, you will be responsible for all fees and/or recovery charges associated with the termination of Service, as set forth in our Terms and Conditions of Service.

REDRESS OPTIONS

If you have questions, concerns, or inquiries regarding this AUP or customer redress options, please call MCG at (641) 676-1000.

September 2024