ANS Acceptable Use Policy Preamble Advanced Network & Services, Inc. ("ANS") is a not- for-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement for edu- cation and research in the interest of improving competi- tiveness and productivity in the global economic environ- ment. Accordingly, ANS' objectives are to help expand access to and interchange of information technology resources among academic, government and industry users, provide state-of-the-art high speed data networks and related services, engage in related research and development work, and improve the ways that information is created and used for education and research purposes. ANS aims to sup- port the academic and research communities, enhance educa- tion and research at all levels, and contribute to improving the quality of education and research. Organizations using ANS services will directly benefit if ANS services and facilities are used in ways which will build overall system efficiencies, maximize the accessibil- ity of the system, and minimize or eliminate unimportant or improper traffic over the systems. ANS will be able to provide better service for User Organizations if a reason- able Acceptable Use Policy is adopted, promulgated and applied by ANS and all User Organizations. The Policy (1) All use of ANS network services shall be intended to facilitate the exchange of information in furtherance of education and research, and otherwise be consistent with the broad objectives of ANS. (2) Users of ANS network services shall promote efficient use of the networks to minimize, and avoid if possible, congestion of the networks and interference with the work of other users of the networks. (3) Users of ANS network services shall not disrupt any of the ANS networks as a whole or any equipment or system forming part of its systems, or any services provided over, or in connection with, any of the ANS networks. (4) ANS networks shall not be used to transmit any communi- cation where the meaning of the message, or its transmission or distribution, would violate any appli- cable law or regulation or would likely be highly offensive to the recipient or recipients thereof. (5) ANS networks shall not be used for commercial purposes. However, if a use is consistent with the purposes and objectives of ANS, then commercial activities in sup- port of that use will be considered an acceptable use of the network. (6) Advertising of commercial offerings is forbidden. Dis- cussion of a product's relative advantages and disad- vantages by users of the product is encouraged. Ven- dors may respond to questions about their products as long as the responses are not in the nature of adver- tisting. (7) Interpretation, application, and possible modification of this Acceptable User Policy shall be within the sole discretion of ANS. Questions about any issue arising under this Policy should be directed to ANS by User Organizations when an issue first arises.