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SMS181, LLC
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OF SERVICE
1.0 DEFINTIONS
1.1
Company: SMS181, LLC.
1.2
Customer:
(a)
any person who uses the Company’s
Service; or
(b)
any person with actual or apparent
authority to represent that person or to use the
Company’s Service.
1.3
Service: The Locator Service
provided by Company and purchased by Customer.
1.4
Telephone Company: An
entity that furnishes commercial mobile radio service (i.e.,
mobile phone services).
2.0
APPLICATION OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
SERVICE
2.1
General Application. These
Terms and Conditions of Service, including the applicable charges
contained herein, constitute Customer’s agreement with Company
(“Agreement") for the Service that Customer purchases from Company.
BY USING THE SERVICE, CUSTOMER ACCEPTS AND
AGREES TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF CUSTOMER
DOES NOT AGREE WITH COMPANY’S TERMS AND CONDITIONS, DO NOT USE THE
SERVICE.
2.2
Changes to Charges, Terms and Conditions.
Company reserves the right to change its
Charges or Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes to Service will be
posted on Company’s website at www.sms181.com. Customer
may also obtain information on, or request a copy of, the current Terms
and Conditions of Service by calling SMS181, LLC’s Customer Service
number at (800) 850-5400, or by writing to or visiting SMS181, LLC’s
1000 North West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801. CUSTOMER USE
OF THE SERVICE CONSTITUTES CUSTOMER AGREEMENT TO COMPANY’S TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, INCLUDING THE APPLICABLE CHARGES, THAT ARE IN
EFFECT AT THE TIME CUSTOMER USES THE SERVICE.
2.3
Scope.
This Agreement applies to the Locator
Service of Company as described in Company’s website at www.sms181.com.
2.4
Shortage of Facilities.
Service is subject to the availability
of suitable facilities. Company reserves the right to limit the length
of communications or to discontinue furnishing Service when necessary
because of a lack of transmission medium capacity or because of any
other causes.
3.
CHARGES AND BILLING FOR SERVICE
3.1
Subscription. The
Locator Service is a monthly subscription Service. To
subscribe to the Service, Customer must reply
“Y” when Customer receives a text message regarding the Service.
By subscribing to the Service, Customer
agrees to pay for Service at the Charges applicable at
the time Customer used the Service and according to the terms of this
Agreement, until Customer sends
STOP to 41479.
3.3
Cancellation of Service. To
cancel the Locator Service, Customer must text STOP to 41479 from
Customer’s mobile handset. Customer may also cancel
the Service by sending an e-mail to service@sms181.com with Subject:
Opt Out Request, listing Customer’s mobile phone number.
3.4
Charges for Service. For
the Service, the Customer is charged $9.99 per month for 20 lookups,
billed directly to the Customer’s mobile phone bill. Message
and Data Rates May Apply. Charges
will appear on Customer’s mobile phone bill or will be deducted from
Customer’s prepaid mobile phone account.
3.5
Renewal. The Locator
Service is a monthly subscription service. One day
before Customer’s renewal date, Company will send Customer a renewal
text message. If Customer wishes to cancel the
Service, Customer must reply STOP to that message. If
Customer does not reply STOP to that message, the Service will be
renewed the next day.
3.6
Rendering and Payment of Bills.
A. Billing periods
are monthly.
B. The billing date
is dependent on the billing cycle of Customer’s mobile phone bill.
C. Charges for
Service are due and payable upon receipt.
D. Company reserves
the right to block access to its network from particular phone numbers
where any charge for Service to that phone number is not paid in full
by the 60th day past the billing date.
3.7
Billing Errors. If
Customer believes that Company has charged Customer in error, please
contact SMS181, LLC’s Customer Service at (800) 850-5400 immediately.
If Company determines that a
Company charge has been rendered due to its error, an error by
Customer’s Telephone Company, or some other cause beyond Customer’s
control, Company may correct the error by issuing a credit to
Customer’s mobile phone account.
3.8
Refunds. If Customer
believes that Customer has overpaid Company, Customer must submit a
claim in writing to Company within 60 days after the claimed
overpayment, along with evidence supporting the claim. If
a billing error results in an overbilling or overcharge to Customer,
Company may refund the amount overbilled or overcharged by issuing a
credit to Customer’s mobile phone account.
3.9
Notice of Billing Errors or Overpayments.
Any claim for billing errors or
over payments must be received by the Company within sixty (60) days
after the invoice is rendered. Absent receipt of
such notice, any Company charge is deemed correct and binding on the
Customer.
4.0
RESTRICTION OF SERVICE
4.1. Company
may immediately and without notice or liability block access to its
network from particular mobile phone number where:
A. Company is experiencing toll fraud,
or usage of Service in an amount that is not supported by Customer’s
credit;
B. Company is prohibited from furnishing
Service by order of a court or other government authority having
jurisdiction;
C. Customer uses, or attempts to use,
the Service in a manner that violates any law or regulation;
D. Customer provides false information
to the Company regarding Customer’s identity, address,
credit-worthiness, past or current use of communications Service, or
its planned use of the Company’s Service(s);
E. Customer uses, or attempts to use,
the Service with the intent to avoid the payment, either in whole or in
part, of the Charges for the Service by:
i. Using, or attempting to use, the
Service by rearranging, tampering with, or making connections to the
Company’s Service not authorized by this Agreement;
ii. Using tricks, schemes, false or
invalid numbers, false credit devices, electronic devices; or
iii. Any other fraudulent means or
devices.
F. Customer places harassing phone calls
to Company, including calls in which Customer uses abusive language.
4.2
Customer is responsible for
preventing the unauthorized use of the Service, and is responsible for
payment for any such unauthorized use.
4.3
Customer may not use the Service for any
unlawful purpose, or in such a way as to interfere with the use of
Service by others. If Customer fails to comply with this requirement,
Customer releases Company from all liabilities or obligations and
Customer must pay Company for all costs or damages that Company incurs
as a result.
4.4
Customer must not permit or assist
others to abuse or fraudulently use Service.
4.5
If Customer uses the Service in any
manner that violates this Section, Company may immediately suspend,
terminate or block Customer’s access to Service without notice.
5.0 DISPUTE
RESOLUTION
5.1
This Section applies to any
dispute between Customer and Company arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, including any dispute Customer may have regarding the
Service, charges for Service, the Terms and Conditions of Service,
advertising, or any other dispute that either Customer or Company has
that is related to this Agreement, even if the dispute arises after
Customer’s Service has terminated. All disputes
must be resolved as described in this Section. CUSTOMER
AGREES THAT ANY DISPUTE WILL NOT BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE OR JURY IN
COURT (EXCEPT FOR SMALL CLAIMS COURT, IF APPLICABLE). CUSTOMER
FURTHER AGREES THAT ANY DISPUTE CUSTOMER MAY HAVE AGAINST COMPANY
CANNOT BE JOINED WITH THE DISPUTE OF ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN A
LAWSUIT, ARBITRATION OR ANY OTHER PROCEEDING, OR RESOLVED ON A
CLASS-WIDE BASIS.
5.2
If Customer has a dispute with Company,
prior to the filing of a dispute with any adjudicatory body (including
arbitration, court or regulatory agency), Customer must first call
SMS181, LLC’s Customer Service department at (800) 850-5400 or write to
SMS181, LLC Customer Service, Service, P.O. Box
3475, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004,
to attempt to resolve Customer’s dispute. Customer
must describe Customer’s dispute and provide Company with any support
documentation. Likewise, if Company has a dispute
with Customer, it will notify Customer by letter sent to Customer’s
billing address and attempt to resolve the dispute before pursuing
arbitration.
5.3
Notice of a dispute as to the charges,
terms and/or conditions of Service must be received by Company within
sixty (60) days after the bill for Service is rendered. Absent
receipt of such notice, any Company charge, term or condition for
Service is deemed correct and binding on the Customer.
5.4
If either party is unable to resolve its
dispute within sixty (60) days of notifying the other party of the
dispute, either party has the right to take the dispute to small claims
court if it qualifies under the rules of that court. Alternatively,
either party may request arbitration of the dispute through the
American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). All
disputes related to this Agreement that are not resolved informally or
in small claims court, regardless of the legal or equitable theory
under which they are brought, must be resolved through final and
binding arbitration in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C. Section 1 et seq. ANY REQUEST FOR
ARBITRATION OF A DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT
MUST BE MADE WITH THE AAA WITHIN TWO YEARS OF: (a) THE DATE ON WHICH
THE FIRST ACTION OR EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE DISPUTE OCCURRED, OR (b)
IF THE DISPUTE INVOLVES CLAIMED OVERCHARGES BY COMPANY, THE DATE THAT
COMPANY NOTIFIES CUSTOMER THAT THE CHARGES ARE VALID, WHICHEVER IS
LATER.
5.5
The arbitration will be conducted by one
arbitrator in accordance with the procedures outlined in this Section.
The arbitrator is bound by the terms of
this Agreement in conducting the arbitration and making any award, and
may not modify or change its terms.
5.6
If the dispute involves $10,000 or less,
the arbitration will be conducted according to the AAA’s Arbitration
Rules for the Resolution of Consumer-Related Disputes in effect as of
the date that a dispute is submitted to the AAA, as modified by this
Agreement. If the dispute involves more than
$10,000, the arbitration will be conducted according to the AAA’s
Commercial Arbitration Rules in effect as of the date that a dispute is
submitted to the AAA, as modified by this Agreement. Customer
may obtain a copy of the AAA’s arbitration rules and procedures from
the local AAA office or by visiting www.adr.org.
5.7
Customer may be represented by an
attorney in an arbitration. If the dispute involves
less than $10,000, any in-person arbitration will be held at a location
selected by the AAA in the state or area of Customer’s primary
residence. If the dispute involves $10,000 or more,
any in-person arbitration will be held at a location selected by the
AAA in the state or area of Customer’s primary residence or in
Wilmington, DE, at the option of the party filing the demand for
arbitration. Customer and Company agree to keep all
aspects of the arbitration confidential, including any testimony,
documents, and award, except as may be required by law or to enforce
any arbitration award.
5.8
Each party must pay its own expenses
associated with any arbitration, including its attorney’s fees.
If Customer files a request for
arbitration, Customer will have to pay a filing fee in accordance with
the AAA fee schedule. Under AAA rules, some costs
such as the arbitrator’s fees and expenses will be allocated between
parties.
5.9
NO DISPUTE MAY BE JOINED WITH ANOTHER
LAWSUIT, OR IN AN ARBITRATION WITH A DISPUTE OF ANY OTHER PERSON, OR
RESOLVED ON A CLASS-WIDE BASIS. THE ARBITRATOR MAY
NOT AWARD DAMAGES THAT ARE BARRED BY THIS AGREEMENT AND MAY NOT AWARD
PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR ATTORNEYS’ FEES UNLESS SUCH DAMAGES OR FEES ARE
EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED BY A STATUTE. CUSTOMER AND
COMPANY BOTH WAIVE ANY CLAIMS FOR AN AWARD OF DAMAGES THAT ARE EXCLUDED
UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.
5.10
Judgment on the award rendered by the
arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
5.11
In addition to the procedures described
in this Section for resolving a dispute, Customer may also have the
right to file a complaint with an appropriate federal regulatory
agency.
5.12
If any portion of this Section is
determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Section
remains in full force and effect.
6.0 LIMITATIONS
ON LIABILITY
6.1
The Company shall not be
liable to a Customer or third party for any direct, indirect, special,
incidental, reliance, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages,
including, but not limited to, loss of revenue or profits, for any
reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any act or omission,
failure to perform, delay, interruption, failure to provide any Service
or any failure in or breakdown of facilities associated with the
Service.
6.2
The liability of the Company for errors
in billing that result in overpayment by the Customer shall be limited
to a credit equal to the dollar amount erroneously billed or, in the
event that payment has been made and Service has been discontinued, to
a refund of the amount erroneously billed.
6.3
The Company shall not be liable for any
claims for loss or damages involving:
A. Any act or
omission of: (i) the Customer; (ii) any other entity furnishing
Service, equipment or facilities for use in conjunction with Service or
facilities provided by the Company; or (iii) common carriers or
warehousemen;
B. Any delay or
failure of performance or equipment due to causes beyond the Company's
control, including but not limited to, acts of God, fires, floods,
earthquakes, hurricanes, or other catastrophes; national emergencies,
insurrections, riots, wars or other civil commotions; strikes,
lockouts, work stoppages or other labor difficulties; criminal actions
taken against the Company; unavailability, failure or malfunction of
equipment or facilities provided by the Customer or third parties; and
any law, order, regulation or other action of any governing authority
or agency thereof;
C. Any unlawful or
unauthorized use of the Company's facilities and Service;
D.
Libel, slander, invasion of privacy or
infringement of patents, trade secrets, or copyrights arising from or
in connection with the transmission of communications by means of
Company-provided facilities or Service; or by means of the combination
of Company-provided facilities or Service with Customer-provided
facilities or Service;
E. Breach in the
privacy or security of communications transmitted over the Company's
facilities;
F. Changes in any of
the facilities, operations or procedures of the Company that render any
equipment, facilities or Service provided by the Customer obsolete, or
require modification or alteration of such equipment, facilities or
Service, or otherwise affect their use or performance;
G.
Defacement of or damage to Customer’s
premises resulting from the furnishing of Service;
H. Injury to
property or injury or death to persons, including claims for payments
made under Workers' Compensation law or under any plan for employee
disability or death benefits, arising out of, or caused by, any act or
omission of the Customer, or the construction, installation,
maintenance, presence, use or removal of the Customer's facilities or
equipment used to access the Company's facilities;
I. Any intentional,
wrongful act of a Company employee when such act is not within the
scope of the employee's responsibilities for the Company and/or is not
authorized by the Company;
J.
Any representations made by Company
employees that do not comport, or that are inconsistent, with the
provisions of this Agreement;
K. Any act or
omission in connection with 911, E911, or similar Service;
I. Any
non-completion of calls due to network busy conditions; or
J. Any calls not
actually attempted to be completed during any period that Service is
unavailable.
6.4
The Company shall be indemnified,
defended and held harmless by the Customer or end user from and against
any and all claims, loss, demands, suits, expense, or other action or
any liability whatsoever, including attorney fees, whether suffered,
made, instituted, or asserted by the Customer or by any other party,
for any personal injury to or death of any person or persons, and for
any loss, damage or destruction of any property, including
environmental contamination, whether owned by the Customer or by any
other party, caused or claimed to have been caused directly or
indirectly by the operation, failure to operate, maintenance, presence,
condition, location, use or removal of any Company or Customer
equipment or facilities or Service provided by the Company.
6.5
Any claim of whatever nature against the
Company shall be deemed conclusively to have been waived unless
presented in writing to the Company within sixty (60) days after the
date of the occurrence that gave rise to the claim.
6.6
THE COMPANY MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR
REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF
LAW, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, EXCEPT THOSE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN.
7.0 MISCELANEOUS
7.1
No Waiver of Rights. If
either party fails to enforce any right or remedy under this Agreement,
that does not waive the right or remedy for any other breach or
failure.
7.2
No Third Party Beneficiaries.
The parties do not extend this
Agreement’s benefits to any third party, unless expressly stated in
this Agreement.
7.3
Governing Law. This
Agreement and all claims relating to the relationship between the
parties are governed by federal law and the laws of the State of
Delaware.
7.4
Severability. If any
provision is held to be illegal, or unenforceable, this Agreement’s
unaffected provisions will remain in effect.
7.5
Headings of No Force or Effect.
Headings in this Agreement are for
reference only and have no effect on any provisions' meaning.
7.6
Assignment. Customer
may not assign this Agreement. Company may assign this Agreement at any
time without notice to Customer.
7.7
Notices. Any notices
that Company must give Customer under this Agreement will be made in at
least one of the following ways: text message to Customer’s mobile
phone number, postcard or letter mailed to the most recent address on
Customer’s mobile phone account, bill message, bill insert, e-mail to
an address provided by Customer, recorded announcement, posting on the
Company website, placing a call to Customer’s billed mobile phone
number and speaking to Customer or leaving a message, or via a
newspaper ad.
7.8
Entire Agreement. These Terms and
Conditions as may be modified by Company from time to time, constitute
the entire agreement between Customer and Company. No prior agreements,
understanding, statements, proposals or representation, either oral or
written, apply. No written or oral statement, advertisement or Service
description not expressly contained in this Agreement can be used to
alter or supplement its terms. Customer may not rely on any
representations or statements not contained in this Agreement.
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