Legal Notices

Acceptable Use Policy

The Internet is a powerful information and entertainment tool, we would expect our customers to use the Internet with respect, courtesy, and responsibility, giving due regard to the rights of other Internet users.

Our acceptable use policy is actively and strictly enforced. Offending content or users are removed from our network, usually as soon as they are discovered, although we will always inform you when and why any action has been taken.

Common sense is the best guide as to what is considered acceptable use; however the following are unacceptable uses:

Illegality

In any form, including but not limited to the unauthorised distribution or copying of copyrighted software or other data, harassment, fraud, trafficking in obscene material.

Undesirable Content

Certain types of content are not allowed on our network. Content relating to Hacking, Cracking, Warez and IRC is not allowed. EXE files are forbidden. Audio and video downloads may only be hosted if you are the creator and copyright owner of the work or have full written permission from the owner to host the files.

Bulk Email

The use of our network to send bulk email whether opt-in or otherwise, and the use of bulk email to promote a site on our network is strictly forbidden.

Client Responsibility

The client is responsible for all activity originating from the account unless proven to be a victim of outside hacking or address forgery. The client is responsible for securing their username/password. Use of our service requires a certain level of knowledge in the use of Internet languages, protocols, and software. This level of knowledge varies depending on the anticipated use and desired content of the web space by the client.

Free Domains

We may provide free domain registration for completed packages; certain packages such as special offers may not include a free domain option but a reduced domain registration fee.

To maintain the free domain option, the account must remain open for a minimum of 12 months, after that point any domain name can be transferred to another provider or sold to a third party at your discretion free of charge.

If you no longer require a hosting solution from us we reserve the right to withhold any domain we have registered until a domain release fee (£10 plus normal domain registration fees) has been paid.

Domain names not provided for free are not subject to these conditions and may be transferred or sold to a third party without charge.

Data Transfer Usage

We understand that site traffic can change rapidly from one month to the next and therefore it can be difficult for you to gauge your exact needs in advance. Because of this we try to be as fair as we can in controlling overuse. For this reason we will typically overlook minor data transfer over-use, at our discretion.

If your account significantly exceeds its assigned data transfer usage allocation you will be emailed with a number of options:

  • Suspension of your account for the remainder of the month;
  • Keeping your account open and paying additional data transfer charges at the current rates;
  • Upgrading your account to add additional features including data transfer to help prevent over-using data transfer in future months - without additional over-use charges.

If we do not hear from you within 24hrs we may suspend your account to ensure you do not run up unexpected bills.

Occasionally, your account may exceed 150% of its assigned data transfer allocation within this 24hr period. If this is the case we will typically suspend the account immediately, once again to prevent running up surprise bills.

If you find you are using more data transfer than your account caters for on a regular basis you will probably find it better value, and more convenient, to upgrade to another package or ask for more data transfer adding to your existing package.

These measures are as much to protect you from unwanted bills as us and other clients from network abuse. We appreciate your understanding and full co-operation with this matter.

IP Allocations

Private IP allocations are subject to availability and will be issued on a first come first receive basis, any accounts that require Private IP allocations and/or Private Nameserver, may need to wait up to three working days for new IP addresses to be allocated. It is not always possible to offer IP-based hosting on certain servers so should this be required, please specify this requirement on the order form.

Credit Card Charge backs

Should you decide to cancel payment in full for services via credit card charge back, be advised that under these circumstances layershift Ltd. will assume and retain ownership of the domain name(s) you registered with us. If you would like to re-obtain these domain names after you place a charge back request, you will need to pay a £25 fee per domain name (plus normal domain registration fees). If you feel that you are deserving of a refund for any reason, open a ticket with our accounts department and we can resolve the matter to our mutual satisfaction.

Misuse Of Resources

Including but not limited to employing applications which consume excessive CPU time, memory or storage space. IRC and web proxy scripts are not allowed on our network under any circumstances. The use of web cam applications which maintain a constant FTP connection uploading an image at regular intervals is forbidden unless prior permission is granted for this use.

CGI based message forums which use flat file databases are often found to use excessive system resources, to avoid disappointment please use a PHP message forum.

Further, any usage of twenty percent (20%) or more of our system resources is an undue burden on our system and is unacceptable. If your usage ever exceeds twenty percent (20%) of system resources, you will be contacted and asked to eliminate the problem.

If you are unsure about content you intend to place on our network, please check with us before you do. We reserve the right to determine what constitutes acceptable use.