Sample Notes

The purpose of this page is to provide an example of an acceptable use policy for a typical corporation. It presents ideas which may or may not be applicable to a particular corporation. The policy does not address every imaginable concern or contingency that a corporation may want to address in such a policy. The policy attempts to address the primary issues that a corporation may face when considering the development of a presence on the World Wide Web and/or other Internet related systems for either internal or external use. THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS," WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO ITS USE OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

AUP for Corporate Internet Systems

Certain employees may be provided with access to the Internet to assist them in performing their jobs. The Internet can be a valuable source of information and research. Use of the Internet, however, must be tempered with common sense and good judgment.

If you abuse your right to use the Internet, it will be taken away from you. In addition, you may be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination, and civil and criminal liability.

Disclaimer of liability for use of Internet. [Company Name] is not responsible for material viewed or downloaded by users from the Internet. The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that contains millions of pages of information. Users are cautioned that many of these pages include offensive, sexually explicit, and inappropriate material. In general, it is difficult to avoid at least some contact with this material while using the Internet. In addition, having an e-mail address on the Internet may lead to receipt of unsolicited e-mail containing offensive content. Users accessing the Internet do so at their own risk.

Duty not to waste computer resources. Employees must not deliberately perform acts that waste computer resources or unfairly monopolize resources to the exclusion of others. These acts include, but are not limited to, sending mass mailings or chain letters, spending excessive amounts of time on the Internet, playing games, engaging in online chat groups, printing multiple copies of documents, or otherwise creating unnecessary network traffic. Because audio, video and picture files require significant storage space, files of this or any other sort may not be downloaded unless they are business-related.

No expectation of privacy. The computers and computer accounts given to employees are to assist them in performance of their jobs. Employees should not have an expectation of privacy in anything they create, store, send, or receive on the computer system. The computer system belongs to [Company Name] and may only be used for business purposes.

Monitoring computer usage. [Company Name] has the right, but not the duty, to monitor any and all of the aspects of its computer system, including, but not limited to, monitoring sites visited by employees on the Internet, monitoring chat groups and news groups, reviewing material downloaded or uploaded by users to the Internet, and reviewing e-mail sent and received by users.

Blocking of inappropriate content. [Company Name] may use software to identify inappropriate or sexually explicit Internet sites. Such sites may be blocked from access by company networks. In the event you nonetheless encounter inappropriate or sexually explicit material while browsing on the Internet, immediately disconnect from the site, regardless of whether the site was subject to company blocking software.

Prohibited activities. Material that is fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, sexually explicit, profane, obscene, intimidating, defamatory, or otherwise unlawful, inappropriate, offensive (including offensive material concerning sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or other characteristic protected by law), or violates [Company Name]'s equal employment opportunity policy and its policies against sexual or other harassment may not be downloaded from the Internet or displayed or stored in [Company Name]'s computers. Employees encountering or receiving this kind of material should immediately report the incident to their supervisors. [Company Name]'s equal employment opportunity policy and its policies against sexual or other harassment apply fully to the use of the Internet and any violation of those policies is grounds for discipline up to and including discharge.

Games and entertainment software. Employees may not use the company's Internet connection to download games or other entertainment software, including wallpaper and screen savers, or to play games over the Internet.

Illegal copying. Employees may not illegally copy material protected under copyright law or make that material available to others for copying. You are responsible for complying with copyright law and applicable licenses that may apply to software, files, graphics, documents, messages, and other material you wish to download or copy. You may not agree to a license or download any material for which a registration fee is charged without first obtaining the express written permission of [Company Name] Management.

Accessing the Internet. To ensure security and to avoid the spread of viruses, employees accessing the Internet through a computer attached to [Company Name]'s network must do so through an approved Internet firewall. Accessing the Internet directly by modem is strictly prohibited unless the computer you are using is not connected to [Company Name]'s network.

Virus detection. Files obtained from sources outside [Company Name], including disks brought from home; files downloaded from the Internet, newgroups, bulletin boards, or other online services; files attached to e-mail; and files provided by customers or vendors may contain dangerous computer viruses that may damage [Company Name]'s computer network. Employees should never download files from the Internet, accept e-mail attachments from outsiders, or use disks from non-company sources, without first scanning the material with company-approved virus checking software. If you suspect that a virus has been introduced into [Company Name]'s network, notify your supervisor immediately.

Amendments and revisions. This policy may be amended or revised from time to time as the need arises. Users will be provided with copies of all amendments and revisions.

Violations of this policy will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, including possible termination, and civil and criminal liability.

Use of the Internet via [Company Name]'s computer system constitutes consent by the user to all of the terms and conditions of this policy.

Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I have received a copy of [Company Name]’s Internet Policy. I agree to read it thoroughly, and agree that if there is any policy or provision in the policy I do not understand, I will seek clarification from my immediate supervisor.

I understand that my use of [Company Name]'s computer systems constitutes my consent to all the terms and conditions of that policy.

In particular, I understand that (1) the E-mail system and all information transmitted by, received from, or stored in that system are the property of [Company Name], (2) the system is to be used only for business purposes and not for personal purposes, and (3) I have no expectation of privacy in connection with the use of the E-mail system or the Internet or with the transmission, receipt, or storage of information in that system.

I agree not to use a code, access a file, or retrieve stored communications unless authorized. I acknowledge and consent to [Company Name]'s monitoring my use of the E-mail system and the Internet at any time at its discretion, including printing and reading all content entering, leaving, or stored in the system.

Date: ____________________________________

Signature: _________________________________

Print Name: _______________________________