Terms of Service < **Security Alert**EIS Recommends Updating Your TOS


Why Should I Include Terms of Service (TOS), Privacy Policy & Spam Policy on My Site

Reason #1: Large Email Providers (Yahoo, Google, Msn) may freeze accounts their systems recognize spamming

Reason #2: Lawsuits may occur ifsite users misunderstand their access to email, hosting, and services.

Reason #3: Investigations by the FTC and IRS may result if your website does not address disclosure.

• Statistically speaking, you have a 1 in 3 chance of being sued or investigated by someone, be it FTC, IRS, or an individual. But you can take steps to protect yourself, by making sure you meet the minimum requirements for disclosure. Large corporations such as Yahoo and Google also commonly will investigate and possibly even freeze or block IP's recognized as spam senders. It only takes one person on a faculty network to get an entire campus's email system tagged as “Bulk” (or spam) by major free email providers. A terms of use agreement helps to protect you legally, while also spelling out to employees, affiliates, students, or anyone else that uses your computer services online, exactly what is appropriate. In case of a lawsuit, your organization is offered some protection by a Terms of Use “TOS” agreement.

  A Privacy Policy offers legal protection and also adds to your credibility. In the modern day and age of internet marketing and mailing lists, people like to know how their personal information will be used and distributed. Establishing this in a written agreement up front can save you costly legal fees, downtime, and management headaches.

  While the best legal advice will come from your organizations attorney, this information is given on a strictly voluntary basis by EIS to help you get a TOS draft together. TOS also varies by location and local government requirements or regulations. Once again, verify with your attorney that this structure is correct for you.

  Basic Structure of Terms of Use:

  • Acceptance of Terms
  • Description of Service (for nonprofit/educational/government this is of termed “Acceptable Use”)
  • Registration Obligations (if accepting members)
  • Privacy Policy
  • Member, Account, and Password Security (if issuing member names and passwords)
  • Member Conduct (if members are accepted)
  • Payment Terms (if accepting payments)
  • Account Modification and Termination (if creating accounts)
  • Disclaimer
  • Trademark Information (if using proprietary logos)
  • Additional Terms (includes right to modify terms without notification)

  In addition you can take a look at some similar institutions to see examples of what their terms of use may include. This is the best way to insure than all your bases are covered.

• View EIS Data Systems, Inc. Terms of Service , Universal Anti Spam Agreement, and Privacy Policy

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