These Terms of Service govern your use of NewsiT.net or any mobile applications, products, services, or additional websites that display an authorized link to these Terms of Service (collectively, the “Service”).

1. Your Acceptance

   1. By using the Service, you signify your agreement to (1) the Terms of Service, and (2) NewsiT's Privacy Policy, found at http://newsit.net/privacy and incorporated herein by reference. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service or the NewsiT Privacy Policy, please do not use the Service.
   2. Although we may attempt to notify you when major changes are made to these Terms of Service, you should periodically review the most up-to-date version. NewsiT may, in its sole discretion, modify or revise these Terms of Service at any time without notice, and it is your responsibility to review these Terms of Service for any changes. If you continue to use the Service after we change the Terms of Service, you agree to accept all such modifications or revisions. Nothing in these Terms of Service shall be deemed to confer any third-party rights or benefits.

2. Service

   1. These Terms of Service apply to all users of the Service, including users who are also contributors of Content on the Service. “Content” includes the text, audio, software, scripts, graphics, photos, sounds, music, videos, audiovisual combinations, interactive features and other materials you may view on, access through, or contribute to the Service.
   2. The Service may contain links to third-party websites that are not owned or controlled by NewsiT. NewsiT has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites. In addition, NewsiT will not and cannot censor or edit the content of any third-party site. By using the Service, you expressly relieve NewsiT from any and all liability arising from your use of any third-party website. We encourage you to be aware when you leave the Service and to read the terms and conditions and privacy policy of each other website that you visit.

3. NewsiT Accounts

   1. In order to access some features of the Service, you will have to create a NewsiT account. You may never use another's account without permission. When creating your account, you must provide accurate and complete information, and you must update the information when it changes. You are solely responsible for the activity that occurs on your account, and you must keep your account password secure. You must notify NewsiT immediately of any breach of security or unauthorized use of your account.
   2. Although NewsiT will not be liable for your losses caused by any unauthorized use of your account, you may be liable for the losses of NewsiT or others due to such unauthorized use.

4. General Use of the Service—Permissions and Restrictions

   NewsiT hereby grants you permission to access and use the Service as set forth in these Terms of Service, provided that:

   1. You agree not to distribute in any medium any part of the Service or the Content without NewsiT’s prior written authorization, unless NewsiT makes available the means for such distribution through functionality offered by the Service.
   2. You agree not to alter or modify any part of the Service.
   3. You agree not to access Content through any technology or means other than the functionality provided by the NewsiT site including audio and video playback, or other explicitly authorized means NewsiT may designate.
   4. You agree not to use the Service for any of the following commercial uses unless you obtain NewsiT's prior written approval:
      • the sale of access to the Service;
      • the sale of advertising, sponsorships, or promotions placed on or within the Service or Content; or
      • the sale of advertising, sponsorships, or promotions on any page of an ad-enabled blog or website containing Content delivered via the Service, unless other material not obtained from NewsiT appears on the same page and is of sufficient value to be the basis for such sales.
   5. You agree not to use or launch any automated system, including without limitation, "robots," "spiders," or "offline readers," that accesses the Service in a manner that sends more request messages to the NewsiT servers in a given period of time than a human can reasonably produce in the same period by using a conventional on-line web browser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, NewsiT grants the operators of public search engines permission to use spiders to copy materials from the Service for the sole purpose of and solely to the extent necessary for creating publicly available searchable indices of the materials, but not caches or archives of such materials. NewsiT reserves the right to revoke these exceptions either generally or in specific cases. You agree not to collect or harvest any personally identifiable information, including account names, from the Service, nor to use the communication systems provided by the Service (e.g., comments, email) for any commercial solicitation purposes. You agree not to solicit, for commercial purposes, any users of the Service with respect to their Content.
   6. In your use of the Service, you will comply with all applicable laws. By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree that when using the Service, you will not:
      • Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.
      • Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any inappropriate, false, misleading, profane, defamatory, obscene, indecent or unlawful Content.
      • Upload Content that contains viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the Service or the interests or property of another.
      • Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
      • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to NewsiT’s computer systems or engage in any activity that disrupts or impairs the functionality of the Service.

5. Your Use of Content

   In addition to the general restrictions above, the following restrictions and conditions apply specifically to your use of Content.

   1. The Content on the Service, and the trademarks, service marks and logos ("Marks") on the Service, are owned by or licensed to NewsiT, subject to copyright and other intellectual property rights under the law.
   2. Content is provided to you AS IS. You may access Content for your information and personal use solely as intended through the provided functionality of the Service and as permitted under these Terms of Service. You shall not download any Content unless you see a “download” or similar link displayed by NewsiT on the Service for that Content. You shall not copy, reproduce, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, or otherwise exploit any Content for any other purposes without the prior written consent of NewsiT or the respective licensors of the Content. NewsiT and its licensors reserve all rights not expressly granted in and to the Service and the Content.
   3. You agree not to circumvent, disable or otherwise interfere with security-related features of the Service or features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any Content or enforce limitations on use of the Service or the Content therein.
   4. You understand that when using the Service, you will be exposed to Content from a variety of sources, and that NewsiT is not responsible for the accuracy, usefulness, safety, or intellectual property rights of or relating to such Content. You further understand and acknowledge that you may be exposed to Content that is inaccurate, offensive, indecent, or objectionable, and you agree to waive, and hereby do waive, any legal or equitable rights or remedies you have or may have against NewsiT with respect thereto, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, agree to indemnify and hold harmless NewsiT, its owners, operators, affiliates, licensors, and licensees to the fullest extent allowed by law regarding all matters related to your use of the Service.

6. Your Content and Conduct

   1. We may allow you to submit Content to the Service, including story tips, videos, audio, text, photography and user comments. You understand that NewsiT does not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any Content you submit.
   2. You shall be solely responsible for your own Content and the consequences of submitting and publishing your Content on the Service. You affirm, represent, and warrant that you own or have the necessary copyright, licenses, rights, consents, and permissions to publish Content you submit, and you license to NewsiT all patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights in and to such Content for publication on the Service pursuant to these Terms of Service.
   3. By submitting Content to NewsiT, you hereby grant NewsiT a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the Content in connection with the Service and NewsiT's (and its successors' and affiliates') business, including without limitation for promoting and redistributing part or all of the Service (and derivative works thereof) in any media formats and through any media channels, whether or not controlled by NewsiT. You also hereby grant each user of the Service a non-exclusive license to access your Content through the Service, and to use, reproduce, distribute, display and perform such Content as permitted through the functionality of the Service and under these Terms of Service. You understand and agree that NewsiT may retain server copies of your Content that has been removed or deleted. If your Content has been shared with third parties, those third parties may have retained copies of your Content and may continue to display, distribute or perform that Content. Terminating your account on the Service will not automatically delete your Content. The above licenses granted by you in user comments you submit are perpetual and irrevocable.
   4. You further agree that Content you submit to the Service will not contain third-party copyrighted material, or material that is subject to other third-party proprietary rights, unless you have permission from the rightful owner of the material or you are otherwise legally entitled to post the material and to grant NewsiT all of the license rights granted herein.
   5. NewsiT does not endorse any Content submitted to the Service by any user or other licensor, or any opinion, recommendation, or advice expressed therein, and NewsiT expressly disclaims any and all liability in connection with Content. NewsiT has no obligation to monitor Content submitted to the Service. NewsiT does not permit copyright infringing activities and infringement of intellectual property rights on the Service, and NewsiT will remove all Content if properly notified that such Content infringes on another's intellectual property rights. Newsit reserves the right to remove Content without prior notice.

7. Account Termination Policy

   1. We may take any of the following actions in our sole discretion at any time and for any reason without giving you prior notice:
      • Restrict or terminate your access to the Service;
      • Change or discontinue the Service;
      • Deactivate your account and delete all related information and files in your account;
      • Provide information concerning you and your activities to comply with applicable laws or respond to court orders, subpoenas, or other lawful requests, or if we believe doing so would protect your safety or that of another person or protect the security of the Service, or as otherwise described in the Privacy Policy.
   2. We will not be liable to you or any third party for taking any of these actions, and we will not be limited to the remedies above if you violate these Terms of Service.

8. Copyright Notice Procedure

   1. If you are a copyright owner or an agent thereof and believe that any Content infringes upon your copyrights, you may submit a notification pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") by providing our Copyright Agent with the following information in writing:
      • A physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed;
      • Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works;
      • Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled and a description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located, such as the URL where it is posted;
      • Information reasonably sufficient to permit us to contact you, such as an address, telephone number, and, if available, an email address;
      • A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
      • A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

      Newsit’s designated Copyright Agent to receive notifications of claimed infringement is Daniel Kunitz , NewsiT LLC, Affinity Lab, 920 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202 255 7864 phone number: [202 255 7864], email: notify AT newsit.net.

   2. Counter-Notice. If you believe that your Content that was removed (or to which access was disabled) is not infringing, or that you have the authorization from the copyright owner, the copyright owner's agent, or pursuant to the law, to post and use the material in your Content, you may send a counter-notice containing the following information to the Copyright Agent:
      • Your physical or electronic signature;
      • Identification of the Content that has been removed or to which access has been disabled and the location at which the Content appeared before it was removed or disabled;
      • A statement that you have a good faith belief that the Content was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or a misidentification of the Content; and
      • Your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address, a statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the federal court in Washington, DC, and a statement that you will accept service of process from the person who provided notification of the alleged infringement.

      If a counter-notice is received by the Copyright Agent, NewsiT may send a copy of the counter-notice to the original complaining party informing that person that it may replace the removed Content or cease disabling it in 10 business days. Unless the copyright owner files an action seeking a court order against the Content provider, member or user, the removed Content may be replaced, or access to it restored, in 10 to 14 business days or more after receipt of the counter-notice, at Newsit's sole discretion.

9. Warranty Disclaimer

   YOU AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE SHALL BE AT YOUR SOLE RISK. EXCEPT WHERE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED OTHERWISE, THE SERVICE, AND ALL CONTENT AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SERVICE, ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEWSIT, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN CONNECTION WITH THE SERVICES AND YOUR USE THEREOF. NEWSIT MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE SERVICE, THE CONTENT OR THE CONTENT OF ANY SITES LINKED TO THE SERVICE AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY (I) ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES OF CONTENT, (II) PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SERVICE, (III) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF OUR SERVERS AND/OR ANY AND ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION STORED THEREIN, (IV) ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM THE SERVICE, (IV) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, OR THE LIKE WHICH MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE SERVICE BY ANY THIRD PARTY, AND/OR (V) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ANY CONTENT OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF ANY CONTENT POSTED, EMAILED, TRANSMITTED, OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE SERVICE. NEWSIT DOES NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ADVERTISED OR OFFERED BY A THIRD PARTY THROUGH THE SERVICE OR ANY HYPERLINKED SERVICES OR FEATURED IN ANY BANNER OR OTHER ADVERTISING, AND NEWSIT WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO OR IN ANY WAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. AS WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE THROUGH ANY MEDIUM OR IN ANY ENVIRONMENT, YOU SHOULD USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT AND EXERCISE CAUTION WHERE APPROPRIATE.

10. Limitation of Liability

    IN NO EVENT SHALL NEWSIT, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM ANY (I) ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES OF CONTENT, (II) PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SERVICE, (III) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF OUR SERVERS AND/OR ANY AND ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION STORED THEREIN, (IV) ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM THE SERVICE, (IV) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, OR THE LIKE, WHICH MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE SERVICE BY ANY THIRD PARTY, AND/OR (V) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ANY CONTENT OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF ANY CONTENT POSTED, EMAILED, TRANSMITTED, OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE SERVICE, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE COMPANY IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE FOREGOING LIMITATION OF LIABILITY SHALL APPLY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW IN THE APPLICABLE JURISDICTION.

    YOU SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NEWSIT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR CONTENT OR THE DEFAMATORY, OFFENSIVE, OR ILLEGAL CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY AND THAT THE RISK OF HARM OR DAMAGE FROM THE FOREGOING RESTS ENTIRELY WITH YOU.

    The Service is controlled and offered by NewsiT in the United States. NewsiT makes no representations that the Service is appropriate or available for use in other locations. Those who access or use the Service from other jurisdictions do so at their own risk and are responsible for compliance with local law.

11. Indemnity

    To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless NewsiT, its officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees) arising from: (i) your use of and access to the Service; (ii) your violation of any term of these Terms of Service; (iii) your violation of any third-party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right; or (iv) any claim that your Content caused damage to a third party. This defense and indemnification obligation will survive these Terms of Service and your use of the Service.

12. Ability to Accept Terms of Service

    You affirm that you are either more than 18 years of age, or an emancipated minor, or possess legal parental or guardian consent, and are fully able and competent to enter into the terms, conditions, obligations, affirmations, representations, and warranties set forth in these Terms of Service, and to abide by and comply with these Terms of Service.

13. Assignment

    These Terms of Service, and any rights and licenses granted hereunder, may be assigned by NewsiT without restriction.

14. Jurisdiction

    You agree that the Service shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. These Terms of Service shall be governed by the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without respect to its conflict of laws principles. Any claim or dispute between you and NewsiT that arises in whole or in part from the Service shall be decided exclusively by a court of competent jurisdiction located in Wilmington, Delaware. You and NewsiT agree to submit to the jurisdiction of, and agree that venue is proper in, such a court in any legal action or proceeding arising in whole or in part from the Service.

    The Service is based in the United States, and, regardless of where you use the Service or otherwise provide Content to the Service, the information will be transferred to and maintained on servers located in the U.S. By using the Service, you consent to the collection, transfer, storage, and processing of information to and in the U.S.

15. General

    These Terms of Service, together with the Privacy Policy at http://newsit.net/privacy and any other legal notices published by NewsiT on the Service, shall constitute the entire agreement between you and NewsiT concerning the Service. If any provision of these Terms of Service is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these Terms of Service, which shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any term of these Terms of Service shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term, and NewsiT's failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. YOU AND NEWSIT AGREE THAT ANY CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE SERVICE MUST COMMENCE WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES. OTHERWISE, SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION IS PERMANENTLY BARRED.

    NewsiT reserves all rights not expressly granted in these Terms of Service, including, without limitation, title, ownership, intellectual property rights, and all other rights and interest in the Service and all related items.

Last Updated: Feb 23, 2012.