Open & Acceptable Use Policy

CROWSNEST BROADBAND OPEN & ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Effective Date: September 2026 • Version: 4.1

Version 4.1 amends Approved Version 4.0 by adding Section 6A (Copyright Infringement and Repeat Infringers) at Crowsnest’s request. No other provision was changed.

This Open & Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) applies to all Crowsnest Broadband Internet access services. It is incorporated into the Crowsnest Terms of Service. Its purpose is to preserve an open Internet experience while protecting customers, Crowsnest’s network, and third parties from unlawful, abusive, malicious, or disruptive activity.

1. Open Internet Principles

Crowsnest supports customers’ ability to access lawful Internet content, applications, services, and non-harmful devices of their choice, subject to reasonable network management, security measures, service-plan terms, and applicable law.

Crowsnest does not impose data caps on standard Internet access plans unless a specific plan disclosure expressly states otherwise. Crowsnest does not sell paid prioritization of ordinary mass-market Internet traffic unless clearly disclosed and permitted by applicable law.

2. Lawful and Responsible Use

You may use the Service for lawful personal or business purposes consistent with your service plan. You are responsible for activity originating from your account, premises, devices, or credentials to the extent permitted by law.

You may not use or permit the Service to be used to:

• violate federal, state, local, or applicable international law or regulation;
• gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to accounts, systems, networks, devices, data, or services;
• scan, probe, exploit, compromise, disrupt, or attack systems without authorization;
• originate or facilitate denial-of-service attacks, malware, ransomware, botnets, credential theft, phishing, fraud, or other malicious activity;
• send unsolicited bulk communications in violation of applicable law or accepted Internet standards;
• forge headers, source addresses, identities, or routing information for deceptive or malicious purposes;
• distribute material that infringes copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other legal rights;
• harass, threaten, stalk, exploit, or unlawfully harm another person;
• operate equipment or traffic in a manner that materially interferes with Crowsnest’s network or other customers;
• resell, redistribute, or provide the Service to third parties as an Internet access business unless your service order expressly permits it; or
• use the Service in a way that exposes Crowsnest to material legal, security, operational, or reputational risk.

3. Security of Customer Devices

You are responsible for reasonable security of customer-owned devices, accounts, passwords, Wi-Fi networks, and applications. Crowsnest may notify you of suspected compromise and may temporarily limit or suspend connectivity from a device or account when reasonably necessary to contain an active threat or protect the network.

4. Network Resources and Excessive or Harmful Use

Crowsnest does not prohibit ordinary high-volume lawful use merely because it consumes substantial bandwidth. However, Crowsnest may address traffic that is malicious, creates a security incident, materially degrades service for others because of abnormal or defective behavior, violates a plan’s expressly disclosed technical limits, or threatens network stability.

Any network-management response will be tailored to a legitimate network-management or security purpose where reasonably practicable.

5. Servers, Hosting, and Public Services

Unless a service order states otherwise, customers may operate ordinary lawful applications and devices. Crowsnest may restrict activity that creates abuse complaints, security threats, unlawful content distribution, material network harm, or use inconsistent with the subscribed residential or business service. Static IP, port, reverse-DNS, or other advanced features may require an eligible plan.

6. Intellectual Property and Abuse Complaints

Crowsnest may receive and process copyright, trademark, security, fraud, spam, or other abuse complaints. Crowsnest may forward a complaint to the affected customer, preserve records as legally required, and take action when required by law or reasonably necessary to protect the network or third parties.

6A. Copyright Infringement and Repeat Infringers

You may not use the Service, or permit the Service to be used, to infringe copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual-property rights.

Crowsnest primarily provides Internet access. It transmits, routes, and provides connections for communications that customers and others initiate, and it does not select or modify the content of those communications. Crowsnest responds to copyright notices and legal process as required by applicable law, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 512. Crowsnest publishes information on its website about how copyright owners and their authorized agents may submit notices.

A copyright notice is an allegation. Receiving a notice does not by itself establish that infringement occurred or that the account holder is responsible for the alleged activity.

When Crowsnest receives a notice that identifies an IP address and the date and time of the alleged activity, Crowsnest may review its records as reasonably necessary to identify the associated account and to determine an appropriate response, which may include forwarding the notice, or information about it, to the account holder. A copyright notice is not legal process, and Crowsnest does not treat a notice by itself as a basis for disclosing a customer’s identity to the person who sent it. Disclosure of customer information is addressed in the Crowsnest Privacy Policy.

Crowsnest has adopted, and reasonably implements, a policy that provides for the termination, in appropriate circumstances, of subscribers and account holders who are repeat infringers. In applying this policy, Crowsnest considers the circumstances presented, which may include the number, nature, and history of notices associated with an account, the account holder’s response, valid legal process, and applicable law. Depending on those circumstances, Crowsnest may warn the account holder, require the account holder to take reasonable steps to stop the activity, or restrict, suspend, or terminate service. This policy does not establish a fixed number of notices after which service is terminated, and a notice does not automatically result in restriction, suspension, or termination.

Consistent with Section 8, Crowsnest is not obligated to monitor customer communications or activity for infringement. The process described in this section is based on notices and legal process that Crowsnest receives. Nothing in this section limits Crowsnest’s other rights under this AUP or the Crowsnest Terms of Service.

7. Enforcement

Depending on severity, history, urgency, and legal obligations, Crowsnest may investigate, warn, filter or block malicious traffic, require remediation, temporarily suspend service, permanently terminate service, or refer conduct to appropriate authorities. Immediate action may be taken without advance notice when reasonably necessary to address an active security threat, unlawful activity, fraud, or material network harm.

Crowsnest’s failure to enforce this AUP in one instance does not waive its right to enforce it later.

8. No Monitoring Obligation

Crowsnest is not obligated to monitor all customer communications, content, or activity and does not assume responsibility for customer-generated content. Crowsnest may use network telemetry, security systems, abuse reports, and other lawful means to operate and protect the Service.

9. Changes

Crowsnest may update this AUP to address changes in law, technology, security threats, or network operations. The current version and effective date will be posted on the Crowsnest website. Material changes will be communicated as required by applicable law.

10. Contact

Questions or abuse reports may be sent to info@crowsnestbb.net or another abuse contact published by Crowsnest.

Crowsnest Broadband LLC • Version 4.1 (amends Approved Version 4.0) • Effective September 2026