Last Updated: 9.20.2009

Introduction

Socialtide.org ("SOCIALTIDE") has zero tolerance for Unsolicited Broadcast Email and Unsolicited Commercial Email ("UBE/UCE", commonly known as "Spam") whether originating from members, from members' customers, or from members that provide services which are used to support SPAM.

1. Definition

SOCIALTIDE defines SPAM as unsolicited broadcast or commercial email that is sent to addresses that do not affirmatively and verifiably request such material from that specific sender, including but not limited to advertising, surveys, information pieces, third party spamming, web site addresses, sales, and auctions.

2. The Policy

SOCIALTIDE members and partners are prohibited from sending and shall not allow their connection to SOCIALTIDE to be used for sending SPAM.

Email Marketing outside of the "Invite Friends" system designed and implemented through the SOCIALTIDE Member's Area is strictly prohibited. Sending of Sales Letters, Follow-Ups, Invitations or any other sales copy not specifically endorsed or santioned via the SOCIALTIDE System or any third party mail server shall be considered SPAM. Sales Copy specifically endorsed and sanctioned by SOCIALTIDE shall be present within the Member's Area under the "Pages" section. Any other Sales Copy is considered "not endorsed or sanctioned" and considered SPAM and is in violation of this Anti-Spam Policy.

Active links to the SOCIALTIDE web site, or any associated web sites owned or operated by SOCIALTIDE, or any of it's parent or subsidiaries, included in any email correspondence are strictly prohibited unless specifically requested on an individual basis. Mail senders are required to maintain records that verify, on a case by case basis, that explicit affirmative permission was obtained from recipients before mailing. Lack of such records can be considered, at SOCIALTIDE's sole discretion, proof that permission was not obtained.

SOCIALTIDE customers are responsible for ensuring they abide by this policy. SOCIALTIDE customers will be held responsible for all traffic either sent via their connection to SOCIALTIDE or sent elsewhere using support services provided via their connection to SOCIALTIDE. "Support services" includes hosting web sites, electronic mailboxes, telephony gateways, IRC servers, sale of spamming software or other similar services. Members are also responsible for ensuring that they do not advertise or promote themselves through SPAM.

SOCIALTIDE may charge members per valid SPAM complaint of which SOCIALTIDE is notified.

If SOCIALTIDE receives a complaint, it will be forwarded to the alleged offending member for a response and complete resolution. If within twenty-four (24) hours there is no response indicating complete resolution, SOCIALTIDE may block traffic to and from the IP address involved in the SPAM complaint until SOCIALTIDE is convinced that the problem is resolved and preventative measures have been implemented to prevent the violation from recurring. If SOCIALTIDE receives repeat complaints indicating that a problem has not been resolved, SOCIALTIDE may block the member involved in the SPAM complaint until SOCIALTIDE is convinced that the problem is resolved. The member is responsible for all SPAM that passes through its connection to SOCIALTIDE.

SOCIALTIDE also reserves the right to block traffic to and from the IP address(es) involved in hacking, and/or port scanning.

Members whose connection to SOCIALTIDE is used to provide services to support SPAM are subject to suspension of services upon two (2) hours notification.

If you run a mail server, you must maintain a mailbox and read mail to postmaster@(your domain).

3. What Does This Mean?

You must provide us with contact information for us to notify you regarding compliance with these provisions. E-mail and phones/cell phones are best, but we will attempt contact via pager as well.

You must educate your customers about SPAM to ensure compliance with these provisions.

You must promptly investigate and satisfactorily deal with any SPAM complaints forwarded to you.

When using a mailing list, you must confirm that the recipients on the mailing lists have requested or otherwise affirmatively accepted receipt of any materials to be sent by you.

4. Why This Policy?

Unlike senders of traditional "junk mail" who are required to pay for envelopes, materials and postage, senders of SPAM can, given the nature of the internet, impose enormous costs on the recipients of their messages at little or no cost to themselves. Costs imposed on SPAM recipients include ISP bandwidth used to deliver SPAM, additional IP infrastructure needed to handle SPAM, and time and money wasted in filtering out and deleting SPAM. SOCIALTIDE believes that users of the internet should not be forced to incur such expenses without their consent. As a result, SOCIALTIDE believes that the elimination of SPAM will result in a better and less expensive internet experience for all internet users and will allow SOCIALTIDE to provide better and more efficient service to its customers.

5. Clarification

If you have any further questions you may contact us directly at compliance@socialtide.org.