Rules for posting to the BalloonHQ.com e-mail lists
By posting an article, you grant permission to make that article
available in an archive with all other postings for later retrieval. That
article may be reproduced in its entirety in any electronic copies of that
archive (i.e. CD-ROM compilations).
- BHQ Administrators
as of 18 Nov 2002
This document is sent to all subscribers of the balloon mailing lists
(balloon@balloonhq.com, balloon-d@balloonhq.com, balloondeco@balloonhq.com,
balloondeco-d@balloonhq.com) upon subscribing. Since only subscribers (and
select others that have made special arrangements) are able to post to
these lists, it is not possible to post without first receiving this
document. By posting to any of these lists, you are indicating that you
have read and agree with these terms.
- Postings are to contain only information related to balloons and the
balloon industry. Specifically, they should be sent to the appropriate
balloon list. Balloon@balloonhq.com is for balloon entertainers.
Balloondeco@balloonhq.com is for balloon decorators.
- Posting of anything in violation of any existing copyright is
prohibited. The list maintainer will not be responsible for any content
contained in a posting. The poster of an article will take all legal and
financial responsibility for information they distribute. Therefore, it is
suggested that the poster of an article for which he/she is not the author,
obtain permission from the author or copyright holder prior to posting.
- Only human-readable text is permissible in a posting. That means no
graphics, sound, or executable content are to be distributed through the
use of these mailing lists. Other means exist for sharing material of that
sort. Contact the list maintainer with questions regarding this.
- By posting an article, you grant permission to make that article
available in an archive with all other postings for later retrieval. That
article may be reproduced in its entirety in any electronic copies of that
archive (i.e. CD-ROM compilations). You grant the editors of Balloon HQ
the right to use your article or pieces of your article in other areas of
Balloon HQ for educational purposes or in other publications affilliated
with Balloon HQ. In exchange for the use of your article, you will be
listed as a contributor to Balloon HQ. Your contributions will never be
used without your name prominently displayed. In addition, you are granting
others the right to use the information, though not necessarily the words,
contained in that article. The article may be quoted in some contexts,
subject to "fair use," as defined by the U.S. copyright office.
- Advertisements for products, events and services, balloon-related or
otherwise, are expressly prohibited. It is acceptable to include one line
in your e-mail signature indicating that you are a vendor. If you have a
balloon-related product that is genuinely new and unique, you are
encouraged to post an announcement to the Classified ad pages on
BalloonHQ.com, but not to the e-mail lists. Balloon HQ sponsors are
also encouraged to send monthly press releases to announce@balloonhq.com.
- Suggested prices for various jobs may not be posted. While we want
people to share whatever information and advice they have, there are some
limitations on what can legally be discussed. In an industry forum, it is
not permissable to discuss appropriate prices for jobs. Talking between
companies and comparing prices may be the most innocent of pastimes,
however it can surely be misconstrued as price-fixing. This is against US
federal law. The last thing we need as an industry is Uncle Sam looking
over our shoulders. So......play fair and decide your own price. Base it on
your company's costs, needs and overhead. Discussions of how to determine
fair pricing is allowed so long as actual numbers are not mentioned.
- Anyone may join Balloon HQ, however these mailing lists serve as an
open forum for the balloon industry. Therefore you may not discuss prices
charged to clients of your balloon business. You may openly discuss pricing
strategies and costs of doing business in different areas, however the
actual amounts you charge your customers is a personal thing. By
suggesting to others what they should be charging, you may be engaging in
price fixing according to US law.
Violation of rules
Depending on the severity of a violation, offenders may be removed from the
list immediately, or sent one warning. In some cases, removal from the
list is permanent. At the list maintainer's discretion, you may have your
posting privileges revoked for a cooling off period, rather than
being removed completely from the list.
Any expenses incurred as a result of any of these violations will become
the responsibility of the offender, not the list maintainer or the service
provider used by the list maintainer.
Disagreement with rules
If you disagree with any of these rules you may contact
info@balloonhq.com directly to discuss the issue. Alternatively, you're
free to simply not post.
