The following guidelines are designed to ensure that Global Passport Internet Services customers understand what uses of the Internet are acceptable. Violation of these guidelines may result in suspension or termination of Global Passport Internet Services accounts.

We ask that customers respect the customs and conventions of the forums in which they participate (mailing lists, newsgroups, irc, etc.). Global Passport Internet Services does not monitor or referee behavior, mailings, postings, etc., that take place on our systems. We will intervene when necessary to ensure the continued operation and quality of our service and, if necessary, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Basic and Standard dial-up accounts are assumed to be for individual, family, or small office/home office (SOHO) with low to moderate usage. Basic and Standard dial-up accounts may have only one Internet connection session active at any given time.

Although our Premium dial-up account is not billed by connect time, it is not intended for full-time access to the Internet. If you desire a full-time connection, you may upgrade to one of our full-time access accounts.

Our Premium dial-up account allows you to use the connection as much as you wish without the need to track your time. It is expected that customers will dial in when access is required and log off when not actively using the service. It is inappropriate to maintain a connection via a "keep alive" program and your account may be terminated for continuous use of such a program. Global Passport Internet Services reserves the right to disconnect your session if it is inactive.

Premium dial-up accounts may have multiple Internet connection sessions active at any given time.

Be considerate when choosing newsgroups for your postings. When posting to multiple groups (crossposting), think twice before posting to more than three.

The Internet has its own set of customs. Unsolicited commercial email or advertising is inappropriate. Many newsgroups have their own guidelines regarding commercial postings. When in doubt, monitor a newsgroup for several weeks, or privately ask a regular poster how the readership responds to commercial postings. Responding to an explicit request for information is usually okay; sending mail directly to the requester instead of posting the response to the newsgroup is preferred.

For business and commercial users, Global Passport Internet Services can help you develop an Internet access and marketing plan that meets your business requirements and respects the customs and conventions of the Internet.

When sharing information on the Internet, respect the intellectual properties of others. Do not post verbatim text from publications without permission. Do not digitize and distribute photographs from books, magazines, or other sources. Do not make copyrighted software available on the Internet. When quoting from copyrighted material, include a reference so others can locate the complete work. Excerpts of private e-mail messages should not be posted to a public forum without the author's permission. Global Passport Internet Services will take action against copyright infringement activities.

Remember that local and federal laws prohibit the distribution of certain information in electronic form. Since the Internet is a global system, some available materials may not be in compliance with US laws. Global Passport Internet Services expects its users to operate in compliance with all applicable laws and will take action against violations. Global Passport Internet Services does not censor or otherwise review materials available to Internet users; since Global Passport Internet Services cannot control the information made available on the Internet, each individual user must determine what information he or she wishes to utilize. In addition, use of the Internet by minors should be under the supervision of an adult. Global Passport Internet Services is not responsible for information obtained by users through their accounts.

Chain letters are inappropriate and are discouraged. Pyramid schemes (chain letters with money) are illegal and prohibited.

Mail bombing (the act of sending hundreds or thousands of messages to someone) or other methods of attempting to deny service or access to other users and attempts to violate security are prohibited. Spamming (bulk posting to multiple newsgroups) is prohibited and will result in termination of your account. Mail bombing or spamming will also result in a $3.00 charge per e-mail message sent to clean up our system.

Support is available 24 hours a day by emailing service@gpom.com. If you suspect there is a problem with our services (or others), we would appreciate a call or an e-mail message sent from your own account.

Fraudulent behavior such as, but not limited to, the forging of newsgroup postings or electronic mail is forbidden. Forging is the unauthorized use of an account or user id other than your own. Severe penalties may be imposed for unauthorized use of computer systems.

Harassing or abusing others through e-mail or news is also prohibited. If you are at the receiving end of this behavior, please contact Global Passport Internet Services at service@gpom.com.

Global Passport Internet Services is not responsible for toll charges that you may incur while using our service.

A returned check may result in termination of your account as well as a $25.00 service charge. Fraudulent use of either a credit or debit card will result in termination of your account.

If you do not agree to abide by these guidelines, please notify our Billing Department at (207) 874-4900 so we can initiate a closure of your account.