Terms of Service

In Plain English: These terms govern your use of Hippynet services. We require professional use of our broadcast infrastructure, timely payment, and compliance with UK law.

1. Service Overview

Hippynet Broadcast Technologies Limited provides professional broadcast infrastructure services including radio stream hosting, AutoPod automatic podcast generation, backup transmitter feeds, and related services. These terms govern your use of all Hippynet services.

2. Acceptable Use Policy

2.1 Prohibited Content

You may not publish or transmit via Hippynet services any content that:

Constitutes child exploitation material
Contains excessive violence or hate speech
Is defamatory or infringes on intellectual property rights
Violates UK law or regulations

2.2 Security Requirements

You must maintain reasonable security precautions for your service and protect password confidentiality. You are responsible for all activity under your account.

2.3 Bulk Email

Commercial bulk email requires advance written approval from Hippynet. All bulk email must include opt-in evidence, functioning unsubscribe mechanisms, and an abuse contact email address.

2.4 Copyright Protection

You may not distribute copyrighted material without proper authorization. Hippynet will terminate service for repeat copyright infringers in accordance with UK law.

2.5 IRC Restrictions

IRC bots are prohibited. Users may not engage in flooding, impersonation, or harassment via IRC or other services.

3. Payment Terms

3.1 Payment Structure

All fees are due in advance for each billing cycle. Invoiced amounts are due within seven days of the invoice date, but never before the billing cycle begins.

3.2 Fee Increases

Hippynet may increase fees for renewal terms with 45 days' advance notice.

3.3 Non-Refundable

All charges are non-refundable unless expressly stated otherwise or required by applicable law.

4. Service Term & Renewal

Your service begins on account activation and continues for the stated period plus one partial month. Services automatically renew unless either party provides 30 days' written notice of non-renewal.

5. Suspension & Termination

5.1 Suspension Rights

Hippynet may suspend service without notice if:

We believe the service violates these terms or applicable law
You fail to cooperate with abuse investigations
Required by law enforcement or court order

5.2 Termination

Hippynet may terminate your service with notice for:

10 days' notice: Payment delays or non-payment
30 days' notice: Material violation of terms
1 day's notice: Repeat AUP violations or false information

Upon termination, any unpaid fees for the remaining billing cycle become immediately due.

6. Liability & Warranties

6.1 Service Availability & Uptime

While Hippynet targets 99.9% uptime as a service quality goal, we do not provide legally binding uptime guarantees unless specifically included as part of your purchased service package.

HIPPYNET DOES NOT WARRANT THAT SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR COMPLETELY SECURE. Services are provided "as is" without warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Some products may include specific SLA terms which will be documented in your service agreement.

6.2 Liability Limits

Hippynet's total liability for any claim is limited to three months of service fees. Neither party is liable for:

Consequential or indirect damages
Lost profits or revenue
Loss of data or business interruption

7. Customer Obligations

7.1 Information Accuracy

You warrant that all information provided to Hippynet is accurate and that you are at least 18 years of age.

7.2 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify Hippynet against third-party claims arising from your misuse of services or violations of this agreement.

7.3 Backup Responsibility

Important: You must maintain current copies of all content hosted by Hippynet, regardless of any backup services we provide. We are not responsible for data loss.

8. Privacy & Data Protection

8.1 Information We Collect

Hippynet collects:

Contact information (name, email, phone, address)
Payment details and transaction history
IP addresses and browser information
Service usage data and analytics

8.2 How We Use Your Data

We use your information to deliver services, process payments, provide support, and send service updates. We do not sell or transfer your information to third-party marketing lists.

8.3 Data Sharing

We may share information only with:

Law enforcement when legally required
Service providers necessary for service delivery
Acquiring companies in business transactions

8.4 Children's Privacy

Our services are not available to individuals under 13 years of age.

8.5 GDPR Compliance & Your Rights

Hippynet is committed to GDPR compliance. As a UK-based company, we adhere to data protection regulations under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

You have the right to:

Access your personal data
Rectification of inaccurate data
Erasure ("right to be forgotten") subject to our legal obligations
Data portability - receive your data in machine-readable format
Object to processing for marketing purposes
Lodge a complaint with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office)

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@hippynet.co.uk

8.6 Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active, plus up to 7 years afterward for legal, tax, and accounting requirements. Service usage logs are retained for 12 months.

8.7 Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. However, no system is 100% secure.

9. Governing Law

This agreement is governed by the laws of the United Kingdom. Any legal actions must be brought in the courts of Liverpool, Merseyside.

10. Force Majeure

Hippynet is not liable for service failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to power grid failures, natural disasters, terrorism, or other force majeure events.

Questions About These Terms?

If you have questions about our Terms of Service, please contact us: