Terms & Conditions
Products and / or services offered by Lations Telecom may include, but are not limited to, hosting, dedicated servers, Registrar White Labelled EPP solution, website design, an online shopping cart that can be integrated into an existing website, blogs, and fibre services where applicable.
Lations Telecom reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to make changes from time to time, and without prior notice, regarding the products or services, that are offered on the website, and as to how they are offered.
Important Notice By ordering, installing, connecting or making use of Lations Telecom’s goods or services from our website www.lations.co.za, or by indicating your acceptance of this Agreement in any other way, you agree to be bound by Lations Telecom’s Standard Terms as well as Lations Telecom’s Acceptable Use Policy and the specific Service Terms applicable to the good or service concerned. Your attention is drawn in particular to clauses rendered in bold capitals in the Lations Telecom Standard Terms. What follows is a summary for your convenience and does not form part of the agreement between you and Lations Telecom.
It is your responsibility to read the clauses referred to.
• You consent to a credit check and to credit record reporting (clause 7.1), if required.
• You are responsible for your own actions using the services provided by Lations Telecom (clause 9.1).
• You are responsible for all hardware and software required to make use of the services provided by Lations Telecom unless otherwise agreed (clause 9.2).
• You agree to comply with Lations Telecom’s Acceptable Use Policy (clause 9.4).
• You warrant that you have the right to use any material transmitted, accessed, stored, displayed or reproduced using the service provided by Lations Telecom (clause 11.7).
• You consent to Lations Telecom monitoring your traffic data for accounting purposes and to ensure that the Lations Telecom system is operating properly (clause 14.1).
• You consent to Lations Telecom using personal information that you provide to Lations Telecom only for the purpose of providing the service/s, and you warrant that if you provide a third party’s personal information to Lations Telecom you have the consent that third party (clause 14.3).
• As soon as equipment provided by Lations Telecom leaves Lations Telecom’s possession, risk passes to you (clause 16).
• If any equipment owned by Lations Telecom is located on premises you do not own, you must reimburse Lations Telecom if the landlord attaches the equipment as part of a rental dispute (clause 18).
• Lations Telecom will not be liable to you if you suffer loss as a result of your use of the services provided by Lations Telecom or which arises from the agreement between you and Lations Telecom (clause 19).
• You indemnify Lations Telecom against any claim made against Lations Telecom as a result of any unlawful act that you may commit, or your use of the goods or services provided by Lations Telecom other than as allowed in the agreement (clause 20).
Contents
1. Parties
2. Definitions
3. How the Agreement Works
4. Service Orders
5. Term of Agreement and Renewal
6. Amendment of Terms
7. Initiation
8. Fees and Payment
9. Use of Services
10. Email accounts
11. Intellectual Property
12. Security
13. Suspension of Service
14. Data & Content
15. Statutory Compliance
16. Loss of License
17. Risk and Ownership in Equipment
18. Use and Maintenance of Equipment
19. Limitation of Liability
20. Indemnity
21. Warranties
22. Assignment, Subcontracting and Reselling
23. Relationship between the Parties
24. No Solicitation
25. Application of the Consumer Protection Act
26. Breach and Termination
27. Notices
28. Disputes
29. Force Majeure
30. Interpretation
31. General
32. Domain Registration, Renewal, Redemption, Deletion & Domain Parking
1. Parties
1.1. “Lations Telecom” is Lations Telecom(Pty)Ltd also known as www.lations.co.za, a company incorporated in terms of the company laws of the Republic of South Africa. Address: Unit 5 Avraley Court, 2 Ripelby Road, Claremont, 7708 Telephone: +27 21 065 5922, Email: admin@lations.co.za
1.2. “The Customer” or “You” is the party described as such on any Service Order executed between you and Lations Telecom with contact details as entered on the Service Order.
2. Definitions
The terms listed below will have the following meanings in this Agreement:
2.1. “Acceptable Use Policy” or AUP means the document with that heading available on the Lations Telecom Website, as amended from time to time.
2.2. “Agreement” means these Standard Terms, as well as the relevant Service Order(s), Service Terms and any schedules or annexures relating to them or to this document, which all form part of the Agreement.
2.3. “Affiliate” means, in relation to a Party, the Party’s holding company, its subsidiaries, the subsidiaries of its holding company and any other companies which, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Party, controls the Party or is under common control with the Party.
2.4. “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in the Republic of South Africa.
2.5. “Business Hour” means a period of 60 minutes between the hours of 08h00 and 17h00 South African Time, on a Business Day.
2.6. “Charges” means the rates to be paid by the Customer for the Services as set out in the Charges Schedule [is it possible to put these in a schedule so details may be updated once instead of in each document]
2.7. “Customer” is defined in section 1.2.
2.8. “Customer Data” means information collected for the purpose of identifying customers as well as photographs, websites, videos, data and e-mail messages that are transmitted via the Lations Telecom System.
2.9. “Customer Equipment” means any equipment owned by the Customer, including without limitation servers, peripherals, routers, switches, Software, Databases, data cables, hard drives and uninterruptible power supplies.
2.10. “Customer System” means the Customer Equipment and Software operated together by the Customer as a system.
2.11. “Customer Support Ticket Area” means the online account administration facility provided to Customers at the Lations Telecom website.
2.12. “CPA” means the Consumer Protection Act, 68 of 2008.
2.13. “Data” means electronic representations of information in any form.
2.14. “Database” means a collection of related data including, but not limited to, text, images sound and video, all of which have bee created and integrated using a method of connecting and displaying the data into a collection of interrelated independent files or data which are stored together.
2.15. “Lations Telecom Equipment” means any equipment supplied to the Customer by Lations Telecom in terms of this Agreement but which the Customer does not own, or any equipment possessed by Lations Telecom.
2.16. “Lations Telecom Premises” means any premises where equipment used by Lations Telecom to provide the Services is located, and which is not owned or occupied by the Customer and includes reference to data centres both in South Africa and elsewhere.
2.17. “Lations Telecom System” means equipment operated together as a system by Lations Telecom to provide any Service, including without limitation servers, peripherals, routers, switches, Software, Databases, cables, generators, and uninterruptible power supplies.
2.18. “Lations Telecom Website” means the Internet website published at the URL www.lations.co.za or another URL that Lations Telecom notifies the Customer of from time to time.
2.19. “Domain” means an Internet subdomain registered with an authorised registrar appropriate to its top-level domain (“TLD”) and comprising its constituent domain name server records including, but not limited to, host names, aliases and mail exchange (“MX”) records.
2.20. “Emergency Maintenance” means maintenance to the Lations Telecom System intended to remedy existing circumstances or prevent imminent circumstances that are likely to cause danger to persons or property, an interruption to the Services, or substantial loss to Lations Telecom, the Customer or any third party.
2.21. “Fees” means the fees and / or charges due to Lations Telecom by the Customer in respect of Goods or Services provided by Lations Telecom to the Customer in terms of this Agreement.
2.22. “Goods” means any and all goods to be provided by Lations Telecom to the Customer in terms of this Agreement, including without limitation equipment, hardware and third-party software.
2.23. “Good Industry Practice” means the exercise of that degree of skill, diligence, prudence and foresight which would reasonably be expected from a skilled and experienced service provider providing similar services to those provided under this Agreement. Such a service provider would seek in good faith to comply with its contractual obligations, and with all applicable laws, codes of professional conduct, relevant codes of practice, relevant standards, and all conditions of planning and other consents.
2.24. “Hosting Service” means the type of hosting service selected by the Customer, either Website Hosting or Cloud Server Hosting as described in the Schedule and the Service Order.
2.25. “Intellectual Property Rights” means patents, registered designs, trade marks (whether registered or otherwise), copyright, trade secret rights, database rights, design rights, service marks and other intellectual property rights and rights to claim something as confidential information, including in other jurisdictions, that grant similar rights.
2.26. “Malicious Code” means anything that contains any computer software routine or code intended to:
2.26.1. allow unauthorised access or use of a computer system by any party, or
2.26.2. disable, damage, erase, disrupt or impair the normal operation of a computer system, and includes any back door, time bomb, Trojan horse, worm, drop dead device or computer virus.
2.27. “Party” means either of Lations Telecom or the Customer and “Parties” means both of them collectively. The term also includes their successors and anyone to whom their rights have been assigned (if this is permitted).
2.28. “Personnel” means any director, employee, agent, consultant, contractor or other representative of a Party.
2.29. “Personal Information” has the meaning set out in POPI.
2.30. “POPI” means the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013.
2.31. “Privacy Policy” means the document with that heading available on the Lations Telecom Website, as amended from time to time.
2.32. “Provider” means Lations Telecom.
2.33. “RICA” means the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act, 70 of 2003.
2.34. “Service” means a service provided by Lations Telecom to the Customer in terms of this Agreement.
2.35. “Service Level Availability” means a Service Schedule with that heading defining levels of service to be met by Lations Telecom under the Agreement.
2.36. “SLA Ticket” means the reporting of a service outage or complaint regarding a Service or the Service Level Availability either via the service provider’s online portal.
2.37. “Service Order / Order” means a goods, license, services and / or work order agreed to in writing or by subscription on website (which includes reference to email or via the Lations Telecom Website) by both the Parties in terms of this Agreement and relevant Service Terms listing the specific Goods or Services to be provided by Lations Telecom to the particular Customer.
2.38. “Service Terms” means a schedule describing the terms on which Lations Telecom will provide a particular Good or Service, as amended from time to time, read with the General terms, such as the Hosting terms, Domains, Connectivity, AUP.
2.39. “Standard Terms” or “Lations Telecom Standard Terms” means this document.
2.40. “Software” means any computer programme (whether source- or object code), as well as any database structure or content, artistic work, screen layout, cinematograph film, sound recording, preparatory material, user or technical documentation or any other work created in connection therewith and any modifications, enhancements or upgrades thereto.
2.41. “Supplier” means a supplier of goods and / or services to Lations Telecom.
2.42. “Time and Materials Rate” means Lations Telecom’s standard time and materials fees and charges applicable from time to time, including all expenses reasonably and actually incurred by Lations Telecom, including for travel, accommodation and subsistence.
3. How the Agreement Works
3.1. The Goods and Services that Lations Telecom will provide to the Customer will be described in Service Orders and specific Service Term(s) schedules.
3.2. These Standard Terms apply to all Service Orders.
3.3. More details of particular Goods or Services may be contained in Service Term(s) Schedules.
3.4. The Service Order(s), Service Terms, and this document together form the Agreement between Lations Telecom and the Customer. If the Parties enter into a Service Level Availability or agree to an annexure to any of these documents, these will also form part of the Agreement.
3.5. If there is any conflict between any of these documents, they will be interpreted in descending order of precedence as follows: Standard Terms (this document), Service Terms, Service Order, Acceptable Use Policy, and Service Level Availability, unless otherwise expressly stated in writing.
3.6. The meanings of any capitalised words in this document are found under the Glossary at the end of this document.
4. Service Orders / Orders
4.1. Lations Telecom will provide the Services to the Customer as described in Service Orders in terms of the Agreement.
4.2. A Service Order may be signed in hard copy (in counterparts or not), entered into via the Lations Telecom Website, per email or by another method if confirmed by Lations Telecom.
4.3. Each Service Order (read with the other documents mentioned above) will be a separate contract between the Customer and Lations Telecom (unless the Service Order is amended or renewed by another Service Order).
4.4. The terms of one Service Order will not apply to another, unless a Service Order amends or renews an existing Service Order or adds Goods or Services to an existing Service Order.
5. Term of Agreement and Renewal
5.1. The Agreement will be in force from the date on which the Customer signs or indicates acceptance of a Service Order in some other way, and will continue in force for the period stated on the Service Order, where after it will automatically renew for further periods equal to the initial period until terminated as described in clause 5.3. If the Service Order does not specify a time period, the Agreement will operate on a month-to-month basis.
5.2. Where the commencement of a Service is delayed, the termination date of the Agreement will be calculated from the date that the Service commenced.
5.3. Unless otherwise stated in the Service Order, either Party may terminate the Agreement on 1 (one) calendar months’ notice in writing to the other. Cancellations by the Customer must be confirmed by Lations Telecom to have effect.
6. Amendment of Terms
6.1. Lations Telecom may amend the Standard Terms and Service Terms at any time. The amended versions will be posted on the Lations Telecom Website, and Lations Telecom will as soon as possible after posting the amendments make reasonable efforts to advise the Customer of them by email and via the Customer Support Ticket Area.
6.2. Lations Telecom must give at least 14 days or immediate notice under extreme conditions written notice of the amendments.
6.2.1. In the case of a fixed-term Agreement (which includes services renewed monthly), the amendments will become effective at the end of the then current contractual period.
6.2.2. In the case of an indefinite period, the amendments will become effective at the beginning of the first calendar month after the notice period has expired, and the Customer may terminate the Agreement before the end of the notice period if it objects to the amendments. The termination will take effect at the end of the notice period.
6.3. If Lations Telecom increases its Fees, notice of the change must take place as described in clause 6.2
7. Initiation
7.1. THE CUSTOMER CONSENTS TO LATIONS TELECOM CARRYING OUT A CREDIT CHECK ON THE CUSTOMER AT ANY APPLICABLE CREDIT BUREAU IF REQUIRED, AND MAY MAKE THE PROVISION OF THE GOODS OR SERVICES DEPENDANT ON ITS SATISFACTION WITH THE RESULTS. LATIONS TELECOM MAY ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE CUSTOMER’S PAYMENT RECORD TO A CREDIT BUREAU.
7.2. If the Customer is a juristic person, Lations Telecom may require one or more of its officers to stand surety for the Customer’s obligations under this Agreement. Even if the Agreement has commenced, Lations Telecom may withhold providing the Services until the surety has been signed.
7.3. Depending upon the Service provided to the Customer, Lations Telecom may be obliged under RICA to obtain certain information from the Customer, and Lations Telecom may withhold or suspend provision of Services until the Customer has provided the necessary information to Lations Telecom.
7.4. If the Customer has not complied with a requirement of this clause 7, Lations Telecom may delay providing the Services until the Customer has complied. If the Customer does not comply within a reasonable period, Lations Telecom may terminate this Agreement and will not be liable for any damage that the Customer may suffer as a result.
8. Fees and Payment
8.1. The Customer will be liable for and will pay the Fees in respect of Services supplied in terms of this Agreement on the basis set out in the Service Orders, without deduction or set-off.
8.2. Lations Telecom may at its sole instance require the Customer to make payment by way of debit order.
8.3. Unless otherwise agreed:
8.3.1. Billing will commence on the date that Service provision commences.
8.3.2. Partial months (if applicable) will be charged pro rata, and this Fee may be included in the following month’s charge for convenience’ sake.
8.3.3. All other invoices must be paid by the Customer within ten (10) calendar days of the date of Lations Telecom’s invoice.
8.3.4. Pre-paid Fees must be paid by the 7th day of the relevant month.
8.3.5. All Fees and other amounts payable are quoted exclusive of VAT.
8.3.6. All transactions are processed in South African Rands (ZAR) unless otherwise agreed upon in writing from the Accounts department or Management.
8.3.7. Should the Customer elect to pay via Cash or EFT payments, services shall only be activated once the proof of payment has been faxed through to the Provider and said amounts are cleared by the bank. The Provider is not responsible for domains being lost, or taken by a third party during the transition period between the registration and the receipt & clearing of the payment for said domains.
8.3.8. All cash / ATM and / Teller deposits will be subject to the bank fees as set out by the bank.
8.4. Interest will be charged on any amount that remains unpaid by the Customer beyond the due date of payment:
8.4.1. The interest rate will be 2% (two percent) above the prime overdraft rate (percent, per annum), up to a maximum of 2% per month.
8.4.2. The prime overdraft rate will be as charged by Lations Telecom’s bankers at the time, which will be evidenced by a certificate issued by any manager of that bank, whose authority it shall not be necessary to prove.
8.4.3. The interest will be calculated from the due date of payment to the date of actual payment, both days inclusive, and will be compounded monthly in arrears. The Customer agrees and undertakes to pay the interest.
8.5. Lations Telecom may at its sole discretion suspend the provision of Services in respect of which any amount is outstanding:
8.5.1. Immediately where a debit order fails due to incorrect information or insufficient funds (with a delay in reconnection of up to 72 hours in the case of multiple bounces), or
8.5.2. on 5 (five) Business Days written notice to the Customer in any other case,
8.5.3 unless the amount is the subject of a legitimate billing complaint by the Customer. Such suspension will not relieve the duty upon the Customer to make payment of subsequent Fees for that service or any other amounts due to Lations Telecom.
8.6. Reconnection of any Service suspended in terms of clause 8.4 will be subject to a reasonable reconnection fee which will be published on the Lations Telecom Website from time to time.
8.7. Termination of any annual or bi-annual account before its pre-paid term ends will be subject to a reasonable administration fee which will be published on the Lations Telecom Website from time to time.
8.8. Should any amount be outstanding by more than 60 Business Days, Lations Telecom may refer the matter to a debt collection agency or attorney for collection. Should it do so, the Customer will be liable for a reasonable administration fee which will be published on the Lations Telecom Website from time to time, as well as any legal costs arising from collection of the debt.
8.9. If a particular Service is provided by calendar month, and the commencement date for that Service is not the beginning of a calendar month, the Fee for that first month will be reduced proportionately.
8.10. Lations Telecom may increase or decrease the Fee for any Service from time to time, and this will be done in the same way as an amendment of this Agreement (see clause 6).
8.11. The Customer will reimburse all reasonable expenses that are necessarily and actually incurred by Lations Telecom and Lations Telecom’s Personnel in fulfilling Lations Telecom’s obligations in terms of this Agreement. Such expenses include, but are not limited to, travelling, subsistence, goods and services purchased on the Customer’s behalf, communications, stationery, reports and presentation material. Travelling and subsistence expenses will be agreed between the parties from time to time.
8.12. The Parties agree that in the event of any dispute in respect of monies owing to Lations Telecom which have not been paid by the due date; Lations Telecom:
8.12.1. may retain any Customer Equipment which is in its possession in pursuance of any Service Order as security for payment of any disputed amount, and
8.12.2. will be entitled, but not obliged, to dispose of such Customer Equipment in order to recover any amounts so owing should such amounts have been outstanding for a period of more than 60 (sixty) days from due date.
8.13. If a Customer has been given a discount as a result of referring a third party to Lations Telecom, the discount will be forfeited if the referee terminates its agreement with Lations Telecom within three (3) months of commencement.
9. Use of Services
9.1. THE CUSTOMER ACCEPTS THAT IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF ITS OWN ACTIVITIES AND THOSE OF ITS EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND ALL OTHERS UNDER ITS CONTROL WHEN USING THE SERVICES.
9.2. THE CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING, INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING ALL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE LATIONS TELECOM SYSTEM AND MAKE USE OF THE SERVICES, UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED IN WRITING.
9.3. The Customer must make use of the Services in a considerate and lawful way, and Lations Telecom has developed an Acceptable Use Policy that contains reasonable rules of conduct for the use of the Service. The Acceptable Use Policy, as amended, is available for viewing on the Lations Telecom Website.
9.4. THE CUSTOMER MUST COMPLY WITH THE ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY AND ENSURE THAT ANYONE UNDER ITS CONTROL THAT USES THE SERVICES ALSO DOES SO. A BREACH OF THE ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY IS A BREACH OF THE CUSTOMER’S DUTY TO ACT IN A CONSIDERATE AND LAWFUL WAY.
9.5. Network security threats evolve quickly, and behaviours change as technology changes. As a result, Lations Telecom must be able to amend the Acceptable Use Policy at any time, and reserves the right to do so. The Customer has a general duty to act in a considerate and lawful way; an amendment to the Acceptable Use Policy does not constitute an amendment of this Agreement.
9.6. Lations Telecom may use upstream Suppliers in providing certain Services, which may maintain their own acceptable use policies. Lations Telecom will inform the Customer if this is the case. The Customer agrees to abide by these policies in using the relevant Services. Lations Telecom may treat a breach of a Supplier’s acceptable use policy as if it were a breach of Lations Telecom’s Acceptable Use Policy.
10. Email accounts
If email accounts are made available to the Customer, they will be provided on the following terms:
10.1. Lations Telecom may filter incoming email for unsolicited bulk email (Spam), Virus and Malicious Code. This filtering will be done on a best effort basis without any warranty of any kind.
10.2. The servers used to provide an email Service will be subject to the same level of security as the rest of the Lations Telecom System.
10.3. The Customer may send bulk email, but may not send unsolicited bulk email, as described in the Acceptable Use Policy.
10.4. Lations Telecom will be entitled to take whatever steps it deems necessary to prevent the sending of unsolicited bulk email using the Lations Telecom System.
10.5. Lations Telecom will be entitled to take whatever steps it deems necessary to prevent an IP address allocated to Lations Telecom from being blocked as result of the transmission of bulk unsolicited email, and may amongst other measures:
10.5.1. suspend the Customer’s email account, and
10.5.2. suspend access to a domain name hosted on the Lations Telecom System.
10.6. If Lations Telecom incurs costs in unblocking any of its IP addresses as a result of a Customer sending bulk unsolicited email using the Lations Telecom System, the Customer will be liable for those costs, including time and materials at Lations Telecom’s standard rates.
10.7. If email accounts are held on Lations Telecom’s servers:
10.7.1. Lations Telecom may delete emails received or sent more than 90 days before a given date;
10.7.2. If the mailbox size specified in the relevant Service Order is exceeded, no further emails will be received into the Customer’s account;
10.7.3. No emails larger than 20 Mb will be sent or received;
10.7.4. Upon termination of the Service all email will be deleted and email addresses associated with the Customer’s account will cease to function;
10.7.5. Lations Telecom has no responsibility for backing up email stored on its servers; and
10.7.6. “Webmail” is provided as a complimentary service and Lations Telecom gives no warranty that it will be accessible by the Customer at any given time.
10.7.7. Individual mail sent to the Customer’s POP3/IMAP box or forwarded to the Customer’s existing email address may be limited to 5MB in size each.
10.8. Lations Telecom reserves the right to refuse domain and hosting services based on network, domain and/or equipment identifiers and at our sole discretion. ;
11. Intellectual Property
11.1. Nothing in this Agreement will be interpreted as granting either Lations Telecom or the Customer a license to deal in any way with any Intellectual Property owned by the other, nor will anything be construed as an assignment of Intellectual Property to the other, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
11.2. If Lations Telecom provides the Customer with Software as part of providing a Service, and it holds Intellectual Property rights to the Software, it grants the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use that Software:
11.2.1. only for the Customer’s own purposes;
11.2.2. for making use of the Services; and
11.2.3. for the duration of this Agreement and subject to its terms.
11.3. If Lations Telecom provides the Customer with Software owned by a third party, the Customer must comply with all license terms imposed by the third party when it uses the Software. These terms include any terms appended to a Service Order.
11.4. Copyright in any Software or other works created by Lations Telecom in terms of this Agreement will vest in Lations Telecom.
11.5. The Customer is specifically prohibited from reverse engineering, disassembling, decompiling or using any method to discover the source code of any Software provided in terms of this Agreement (or attempting to do so), where the Intellectual Property is not owned by the Customer.
11.6. The Customer undertakes to comply with all intellectual property laws, and to do nothing related to or connected with this Agreement or its use of the Lations Telecom System which may infringe the Intellectual Property rights of Lations Telecom or any third party.
11.7. THE CUSTOMER WARRANTS THAT IT EITHER OWNS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS TO ALL MATERIAL TRANSMITTED, ACCESSED, STORED, DISPLAYED OR REPRODUCED USING THE LATIONS TELECOM SYSTEM, OR THAT IT HAS THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER OF THE MATERIAL TO MAKE USE OF THAT MATERIAL IN THAT WAY.
11.8. Lations Telecom will have the right to make copies of the Customer Data if this is necessary to provide a Service.
11.9. While providing the Services, Lations Telecom may have one or more Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses allocated to the Customer.
11.9.1. The Customer must put the assigned IPs to the use specified or implied in the Service Order and will not put them to another use without the express written consent of Lations Telecom.
11.9.2. The Customer acknowledges that IP addresses are not property and cannot be owned. As a result the Customer has no right or expectation of a right to ownership of any IP address assigned to it.
11.9.3. On termination of this Agreement or the relevant Service Order, any IP Addresses assigned to the Customer may be removed from the Customer, and the Customer will have no recourse against Lations Telecom or any third party as a result of any loss sustained as a result. 1
12. Security
12.1. Lations Telecom will implement measures in line with Good Industry Practice and its Acceptable Use Policy to ensure the security of the Lations Telecom System and the physical security of the Lations Telecom Premises and or Data Centres, but gives no warranty that breaches of security will not take place.
12.2. If the Customer discovers a security violation, or thinks that a security violation is imminent, it must immediately notify Lations Telecom.
12.3. If the Customer suffers damage as a result of loss or corruption of Customer Data through a security violation or breach of the Acceptable Use Policy, the Customer will be liable for the damage if the violation was the Customer’s fault.
12.4. The Customer must not do anything that may prejudice the security of the Lations Telecom System, and must take all reasonable measures necessary to ensure that:
12.4.1. no unlawful access is gained to the Lations Telecom Premises, the Lations Telecom System, or the Customer System;
12.4.2. no Malicious Code is introduced into the Lations Telecom System;
12.4.3. the Customer Data is safeguarded; and
12.4.4. any Internet Protocol (“IP”) address range assigned to the Customer cannot be attacked by third parties;
12.4.5. all use of the Services occurs in compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy.
12.5. If a security violation occurs, or Lations Telecom is of the view that a security violation is imminent, Lations Telecom may take whatever steps it considers necessary to maintain the proper functioning of the Lations Telecom System including without limitation:
12.5.1. changing the Customer’s access codes and passwords (or those of any user of the Lations Telecom System),
12.5.2. preventing access to the Customer System, and
12.5.3. preventing access to the Lations Telecom System.
12.6. Lations Telecom takes reasonable measures to provide disaster recovery but does not warrant that recovery will be successful or that it will be completed within any time limit.
12.7. The Customer must give its full cooperation to Lations Telecom in any investigation that may be carried out by Lations Telecom regarding a security violation. If it is found that the Customer has violated the Acceptable Use Policy, the Customer shall pay Investigation fees to recover the costs per hour that the Provider’s personnel must spend to investigate any violations as set out in the Fee Schedule.
12.8. If the Customer is providing any service to third parties that makes use of the Lations Telecom System, the Customer must contractually bind those third parties to equivalent terms regarding security as are set out in this clause 12.
13. Suspension of Service
13.1. Lations Telecom is entitled to suspend provision of the Service(s) to the Customer where:
13.1.1. the Customer is found to be in breach of the Acceptable Use Policy,
13.1.2. the Customer has not made payment of monies owing to Service Provider by due date, subject to clause 8.4,
13.1.3. such suspension is necessary to maintain security as set out in clause 12,
13.1.4. Lations Telecom or its contractors need to carry out Emergency Maintenance,
13.1.5. the Customer has failed to co-operate in an investigation as set out in clause 12.7 or otherwise has breached its duties set out in clause 12 such that its continued access to the Service Provider System constitutes a threat to security, and / or
13.1.6. where so ordered by a court having jurisdiction over Service Provider.
13.2. Lations Telecom is entitled to suspend Service as set out in clause 13.1 immediately and without notice. In the case of grounds set out in clauses 13.1.1 to 13.1.3. Lations Telecom must provide the Customer with at least seven (7) days’ notice of such suspension, unless the circumstances are such that immediate suspension is necessary to avoid loss to Lations Telecom, the Customer or any third party.
13.3. Should the Customer’s account be suspended for non-payment, the Provider reserves the right to place a non-payment page on the Customer’s domain.
13.4. The period of suspension will be that which is reasonable under the particular circumstances that gave rise to the suspension.
13.5. Reconnection of any Service suspended in terms of clauses 13.1.1 to 13.1.6 will be subject to a reasonable reconnection Fee.
14. Data & Content
14.1. WHILE LATIONS TELECOM RECOGNISES THE CUSTOMER’S RIGHT TO PRIVACY OF ITS DATA, THE CUSTOMER CONSENTS TO LATIONS TELECOM MONITORING THE CUSTOMER’S TRAFFIC DATA USING THE LATIONS TELECOM SYSTEM FOR ACCOUNTING PURPOSES AND TO ENSURE THAT THE LATIONS TELECOM SYSTEM IS OPERATING PROPERLY.
14.2. The Customer must not upload to, store on or transmit any data or content via the Lations Telecom System that is unlawful, harmful, or in breach of the Acceptable Use Policy.
14.3. THE CUSTOMER CONSENTS TO LATIONS TELECOM PROCESSING PERSONAL INFORMATION TRANSMITTED TO THE LATIONS TELECOM SYSTEM IN A WAY WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SERVICE BEING PROVIDED. WHERE THE CUSTOMER’S USE OF A SERVICE LEADS TO THE TRANSMISSION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION TO OR FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, THE CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS A DUTY TO COMPLY WITH ANY RELEVANT STATUTORY PROVISIONS DEALING WITH DATA PRIVACY EITHER IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY TO WHICH THE PERSONAL INFORMATION IS TRANSMITTED. THE CUSTOMER WARRANTS THAT IT HAS OBTAINED THE CONSENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY FOR THE USE OF THAT PARTY’S PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THIS WAY.
14.4. Lations Telecom has no knowledge of or interest in data that the Customer may transmit via, store on or access from the Lations Telecom System. Lations Telecom also has no duty to monitor any content made available or published through the Lations Telecom System, unless required under clause 15 (Statutory Compliance).
15. Statutory Compliance
15.1. Lations Telecom is obliged to comply with certain statutory provisions including, but not limited to, those set out in the following Acts (and their associated regulations):
15.1.1. the Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996;
15.1.2. the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002;
15.1.3. the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act (Act 70 of 2002), and 15.1.4. the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 and
15.1.5. the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013.
15.2. Lations Telecom’s compliance with these statutory provisions may require measures that would otherwise be infringements of the Customer’s privacy, such as interception of the Customer’s communications or the examination of Customer Data. No action will lie against Lations Telecom for any damages that it may suffer as a result of these measures.
16. Loss of License
16.1. If Lations Telecom cannot continue with provision of any Service because any license, permit, certificate consent, exemption or other necessary legal requirement is withdrawn, Lations Telecom must make best endeavours to provide an alternative service to the Customer within 10 (ten) Business Days. It may do this either by utilising another of its own services, or by having a Supplier or third party provide the Service in its place.
16.2. If the Customer is not satisfied with the steps taken by Lations Telecom in clause 16.1, Lations Telecom must cease provision of the Service in question and reduce the Fee accordingly.
16.3. If Lations Telecom cannot provide the other Services provided under this Agreement because they depend upon a Service that has been terminated in terms of clause 16.2, the Customer may terminate this Agreement.
16.4. Lations Telecom must provide the Customer with timely notice of the circumstances described in clause 16, if reasonably possible.
17. Risk and Ownership in Equipment
17.1. Ownership – Ownership of all Equipment is retained by Lations Telecom (or the supplier of the Equipment as the case may be) and nothing in this Agreement must be interpreted as creating any expectation with regard to the transfer of ownership to the Customer.
17.2. Purchase of Equipment – The Customer may purchase Equipment only by agreeing to do so in writing in a Service Order or by way of a separate agreement, in which case ownership in the Equipment will pass to the Customer only once payment has been made for it in full.
17.3. Delivery – Delivery of Equipment, if any, will take place when Lations Telecom passes possession of the Equipment to the Customer, its Freight Forwarder, or a third party nominated by the Customer, or when Lations Telecom delivers it to any location indicated in writing by the Customer where the Equipment is not under the control of Lations Telecom.
17.4. RISK. RISK IN THE EQUIPMENT (IF ANY) WILL PASS TO THE CUSTOMER ON DELIVERY, FROM WHICH MOMENT ALL RISK OF DAMAGE AND LOSS IN THE EQUIPMENT WILL FALL ON THE CUSTOMER, WHICH MUST TAKE RELEVANT STEPS TO INSURE THE EQUIPMENT AND OTHERWISE MITIGATE ITS RISK OF LOSS THEREIN.
17.5. Delivery to 3rd Parties – If the Customer requires that the Equipment set out in a Purchase Order be delivered directly to a Customer or third party as the case may be, the Customer must procure the services of an appropriate Freight Forwarder for the purpose, and risk of loss or damage to the Equipment will pass to the Customer upon Lations Telecom’s delivery of such Equipment to the nominated Freight Forwarder.
18. Use and Maintenance of Equipment
18.1. Only Applicable if Customer not the Owner. This clause 18 applies only where Customer is not the owner of the Equipment but risk has passed to the Customer as described in clause 17.4, for example where Lations Telecom has leased the Equipment to the Customer, or the Customer is paying for the Equipment in instalments.
18.2. Customer’s Duties. The Customer must:
18.2.1. ensure that the Equipment remains in a safe environment that is conducive to its continued operation;
18.2.2. ensure that the Equipment is used with care and that reasonable precautions are taken to avoid accidents and to safeguard it from loss or damage and excessive wear and tear;
18.2.3. notify Lations Telecom immediately of any loss of, or damage to, the Equipment or part thereof or any failure of the Equipment to function;
18.2.4. ensure that no part or component for the Equipment is used which has not been supplied by Lations Telecom or its authorised subcontractors;
18.2.5. ensure that the Equipment is insured at a reasonable value against any damage or loss;
18.2.6. not rent, sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber the Equipment without the prior written consent of Lations Telecom;
18.2.7. provide Lations Telecom with all such information as it may reasonably require to protect its right of ownership in the Equipment;
18.2.8. ensure that the Equipment does not leave the Customer’s possession, and no person other than its Personnel is permitted to use the Equipment without Lations Telecom’s prior written consent;
18.2.9. provide reasonable access to the Equipment by Lations Telecom or its agents (upon request) for maintenance and/or repairs; and
18.2.10. reimburse Lations Telecom for any repairs and/or maintenance needed to the Equipment at the Time and Materials Rate, provided that the Customer authorises the cost of such repairs and/or maintenance prior to implementation.
18.3. Third Party Premises. Where Equipment is installed or stored on or at a premises which is leased from a third party or otherwise not owned by the Customer then the Customer undertakes to:
18.3.1. obtain all such consents and permissions as may be necessary so as to allow the installation and maintenance of the Equipment; and
18.3.2. in the case of a dispute with the landlord or owner of the premises, inform the landlord or owner of the premises in writing of the fact that the Equipment is the property of Lations Telecom and does not belong to the Customer. The Customer specifically indemnifies and holds harmless Lations Telecom in respect of any breach of this clause.
18.4. Maintenance of Equipment. Under no circumstances is the Customer permitted to authorise or carry out technical maintenance on any Equipment without the prior written permission of Lations Telecom. Any modification or re-configuration carried out or attempted by the Customer or any third party authorised to do so by the Customer without the express prior written approval of Lations Telecom is strictly prohibited and Lations Telecom specifically reserves its right to claim damages should this clause be breached.
19. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
19.1. LATIONS TELECOM WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY LOSS THAT RELATES TO OR ARISES FROM THE SERVICES OR THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER EITHER PARTY SHOULD HAVE FORESEEN IT OR NOT. LOSS INCLUDES DAMAGES AND LEGAL OR OTHER COSTS. DIRECT DAMAGES ARE EXCLUDED, AS ARE INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, AND LATIONS TELECOM WILL NOT BE LIABLE WHETHER THE LOSS WAS THE RESULT OF THE ACT OR OMISSION OF AN LATIONS TELECOM EMPLOYEE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, VICARIOUS OR STRICT LIABILITY.
19.2. IN PARTICULAR, LATIONS TELECOM WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS ARISING FROM ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
19.2.1. TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF A SERVICE, DUE TO TECHNICAL INFEASIBILITY;
19.2.2. THE CUSTOMER’S FAILURE TO TAKE ADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES; 19.2.3. ANY ACT OR OMISSION RELATING TO THE TRANSMISSION OF DATA TO AND FROM THE LATIONS TELECOM SYSTEM, ITS STORAGE ON THE LATIONS TELECOM SYSTEM OR ITS PUBLICATION USING THE LATIONS TELECOM SYSTEM TO THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING FALSE POSITIVES IN SPAM FILTERING; 19.2.4. ANY ACTION TAKEN BY LATIONS TELECOM IN TERMS OF CLAUSE 12 (SECURITY) OR CLAUSE 13.1 (SUSPENSION OF SERVICE);
19.2.5. COMPLIANCE WITH ANY STATUTE DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE 15 (STATUTORY COMPLIANCE);
19.2.6. THE INTERRUPTION, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THE SERVICES THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE LATIONS TELECOM; 19.2.7. LOSS OF DATA (INCLUDING FAILURE IN BACKUP OR DISASTER RECOVERY), DAMAGED OR CORRUPTED DATA OR A DELAY OR FAILURE IN TRANSMISSIONS; AND/OR
19.2.8. CUSTOMER’S BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHER UNLAWFUL ACT OR OMISSION.
19.3. IF LATIONS TELECOM IS NONETHELESS FOUND TO BE LIABLE FOR LOSS SUFFERED BY THE CUSTOMER, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF LATIONS TELECOM’S LIABILITY RELATING TO OR ARISING FROM THE SERVICES OR THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF THE FEES PAID BY THE CUSTOMER FOR THE SERVICE FROM WHICH THE DAMAGE AROSE IN THE 3 (THREE) MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE.
19.4. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS CLAUSE 19 WILL LIMIT THE CUSTOMER’S LIABILITY IN RESPECT OF CHARGES INCURRED FOR ONGOING SERVICES. 19.5. If the CPA is applicable to this Agreement, and any provision of this clause 19 is found by a court or tribunal with jurisdiction over Lations Telecom to be unfair, unreasonable or unjust, then that provision (whether it be a word, phrase or sub-clause) will be severed, and the remainder of this clause 19 will have full force and effect. 19.6. In the case of ambiguity, this clause 19 will take precedence over any expression of the Parties’ intention, whether express or implied, that may be contained elsewhere in this Agreement.
20. INDEMNITY
20.1. THE CUSTOMER WILL INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD LATIONS TELECOM HARMLESS FROM ALL CLAIMS BROUGHT AGAINST LATIONS TELECOM BY THIRD PARTIES AS A RESULT OF: 20.1.1. THE CUSTOMER’S USE OF THE GOODS OR SERVICES OTHER THAN AS ALLOWED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY;
20.1.2. BREACH OF PRIVACY RIGHTS, OR INFRINGEMENT OF ANY LAW (WHETHER SOUTH AFRICAN OR FOREIGN) GOVERNING DATA PROTECTION OR THE CROSS-BORDER DATA FLOWS BY THE CUSTOMER;
20.1.3. THE INFRINGEMENT OF ANY RIGHT IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BY THE CUSTOMER, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THOSE SET OUT IN CLAUSE 10; OR 20.1.4. ANY OTHER WRONGFUL ACT OR OMISSION BY THE CUSTOMER.
20.2. THE INDEMNIFIED CLAIMS WILL INCLUDE LEGAL COSTS ON THE SCALE AS BETWEEN ATTORNEY AND OWN CUSTOMER AND ANY ADDITIONAL LEGAL COSTS.
20.3. If the CPA is applicable to this Agreement, and any provision of this clause 20 is found by a court or tribunal with jurisdiction over Lations Telecom to be unfair, unreasonable or unjust, then that provision (whether it be a word, phrase or sub-clause) will be severed, and the remainder of this clause 20 will have full force and effect.
21. Warranties
21.1. Lations Telecom warrants that:
21.1.1. it has the facilities, infrastructure, capacity and capability to provide the Services;
21.1.2. it will employ a sufficient number of suitably trained staff to provide the Services;
21.1.3. it will provide the Services:
21.1.3.1. with promptness and diligence and in a workmanlike manner and in accordance with the practices and professional standards of well-managed companies performing services similar to the Services; and
21.1.3.2. in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
21.2. Equipment is guaranteed under the manufacturer’s product specific warranties only, and all other guarantees and warranties including common law guarantees and warranties in relation to Equipment are hereby specifically excluded by Lations Telecom.
21.3. Unless expressly set out in this clause and elsewhere in this Agreement or in any Service Level Availability and to the maximum extent permitted by law, Lations Telecom does not make any representations nor does it give any warranties or guarantees of any nature whatsoever in respect of the Lations Telecom Equipment or Services, which are provided on a “reasonable effort” basis, and all warranties which are implied or residual at common law are hereby expressly excluded.
21.4. For the avoidance of doubt, Lations Telecom does not warrant any of the following:
21.4.1. connection quality (including throughput, availability, jitter, latency and packet loss);
21.4.2. the confidentiality, integrity and / or availability of any Customer Data; 21.4.3. the correctness of the identification of any email as spam; or
21.4.4. the success of any backup or disaster recovery service offered.
21.5. If the CPA applies to this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement or of this clause 21 will not be interpreted in such a way as to exclude the Customer’s rights under sections 54 (Right to quality service), 55 (Right to safe, good quality goods), or 56 (Implied warranty of quality) of the CPA. These sections however apply only to the minimum possible extent. Unless the contrary is stated elsewhere in this Agreement, the Customer will have no rights in respect of quality of service, safe & good quality goods or implied warranty of quality beyond those explicitly stated in the those sections.
22. Assignment, Subcontracting and Reselling:
22.1. Neither Party will be entitled to cede, assign, delegate or otherwise transfer the benefit or burden of all or any part of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
22.2. Lations Telecom may sub-contract its obligations in terms of this Agreement to a third party, provided that: 22.2.1. such sub-contracting will not absolve Lations Telecom from responsibility for the provision of the Service or complying with its obligations in terms of this Agreement; and
22.2.2. Lations Telecom will at all times remain the sole point of contact for the Customer.
22.3. The Customer may not resell any Service, or otherwise provide any Service to a third party for consideration, unless otherwise specified in a Service Order.
23. Relationship between the Parties:
23.1. The Parties agree that the relationship between them is one of commissioner and independent contractor, and nothing in this Agreement will be construed as giving rise to a relationship of employer and employee, whether between Customer and Lations Telecom or between Customer and any officer, employee or agent of Lations Telecom.
23.2. This Agreement does not give rise to a relationship of principal and agent. Neither Party will not be entitled to conclude any agreement on behalf of the other, nor to sign any document on behalf of the other, unless this is specifically authorised in writing by the other.
23.3. Lations Telecom’s right to terminate this Agreement will be regulated by the law of contract alone and neither Lations Telecom or its employees, officers or agents is “an employee” of the Customer as defined in the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, s1 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 or any similar statute.
23.4. The relationship between the Parties will not be an exclusive one and both Parties will be free to enter into agreements similar to this one with third parties.
23.5. Both Parties to this Agreement (including the employees, officers and agents of the Parties) undertake to use their best endeavours and exercise good faith in implementing the provisions of this Agreement according to its intent and purpose and they further undertake to pass such resolutions and do all such acts and deeds as may be necessary, to this end.
23.6. In order to facilitate the effective provision of the Services, the Customer will:
23.6.1. allow Lations Telecom reasonable access to its premises in order for Lations Telecom to provide the Services, and the Customer will procure that its employees, officers and agents co-operate with and give Lations Telecom any necessary assistance in the provision of the Services;
23.6.2. comply with any reasonable instructions given by Lations Telecom relating to the provision of the Services, as well as Lations Telecom’s relevant policies and procedures, which will be made available to the Customer on request;
23.6.3. enter into any agreement with a supplier necessary to allow Lations Telecom to provide the Services; and
23.6.4. respond to any request for information, access or authorisation as soon as reasonably possible, having regard to the circumstances of the request, and Lations Telecom may suspend or withhold provision of the Services should the Customer fail to comply with the above.
24. No Solicitation
24.1. Both Parties undertake that they will not employ any employee of the other, or any person who was an employee of the other during the previous 12 (twelve) months. This restriction applies during the term of this Agreement and for a period of 6 (six) months after its termination for any reason. “Employ” includes persuading, encouraging or procuring the employee to be employed by or through the guilty Party or any of its subsidiaries, and by doing so directly or indirectly. The restriction also applies to inducing an employee to terminate his or her employment.
24.2. The provisions of clause 24 do not prohibit either of the Parties from considering any application for employment submitted on an unsolicited basis or in response to a general advertisement of employment opportunities.
25. Application of the Consumer Protection Act
25.1. If the Customer is a juristic person then the CPA applies to this Agreement only if both the Customer’s asset value and annual turnover (the “Business Values”) are less than R 2 000 000 (two million Rand) (the “Threshold Value”) on the date the applicable Service Order is executed. Both the Business Values and the Threshold Value may be amended in terms of the CPA.
25.2. Lations Telecom’s duties under this Agreement may vary depending upon whether the CPA applies to this Agreement, and Lations Telecom will act upon the information given by the Customer in this regard. Consequently:
25.2.1. the Customer warrants that any statement made to Lations Telecom in respect of its Business Values is accurate.
25.2.2. If the Customer claims that all the Business Values are below the Threshold Value, or otherwise that the CPA applies to this Agreement, Lations Telecom may at its instance require the Customer to provide it with financial statements as proof thereof.
25.2.3. If the Customer misstates the Business Values (whether negligently or otherwise) in such a way that Lations Telecom believes that this Agreement is subject to the CPA when it is not, then Lations Telecom may retroactively apply any provisions of this Agreement that were not applied as a result of this belief.
25.2.4. The Customer will be liable for any costs or damage sustained by Lations Telecom resulting from such misstatement.
25.3. If the CPA is applicable to this Agreement, the provisions of the CPA will be applied and take precedence where they contradict any provision of this Agreement.
26. Breach and Termination
26.1. If the either Party:
26.1.1. fails to comply with any of its obligations or commits a breach of this Agreement and fails to remedy the default or breach within 5 (five) Business Days after having received a written notice to do so,
26.1.2. resolves to begin business rescue proceedings as contemplated in chapter 6 of the Companies’ Act 71 of 2008,
26.1.3. is placed in provisional or final liquidation or sequestration, or judicial management,
26.1.4. enters into any compromise arrangements with its creditors, 26.1.5. fails to satisfy a judgment taken against it within ten (10) Business Days, or
26.1.6. falls under the controlling interest or ownership of a competitor of the other Party (for the purpose of this clause, the Party which makes this allegation will carry the burden to prove it), the other Party will be entitled either:
26.1.7. to hold the Party in breach to the Agreement; or
26.1.8. to cancel the Agreement.
26.2. The provisions of this clause will not affect the rights of either Party to claim damages in respect of a breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
27. Notices
27.1. The Parties choose their addresses where they will accept service of any notices/documents for all purposes arising from this Agreement (domicilium citandi et executandi):
27.1.1. in the case of Lations Telecom, as set out in clause 1.1 of this document, and
27.1.2. in the case of the Customer the addresses set out in the most recent Service Order agreed between the Parties.
27.2. Either Party may vary its given postal address or other contact details by notifying the other Party in writing. Postal addresses must be located within the Republic of South Africa.
27.3. Any notice given in terms of this Agreement must be in writing and any notice given by any Party to another (“the addressee”) which:
27.3.1. is delivered by hand will be deemed to have been received by the addressee on the date of delivery; or
27.3.2. if sent by fax during Business Hours, upon production of a satisfactory transmission report by the fax machine which sent the fax and if outside such Business Hours then at the beginning of the next Business Day; or
27.3.3. is transmitted by email will be deemed to have been received upon confirmation of receipt (not automated receipt) thereof by the addressee; or
27.3.4. is posted by pre-paid registered post from an address within the Republic of South Africa to the addressee at its chosen postal will be deemed to have been received by the addressee on the 7th (seventh) day after the date of posting.
27.4. Despite the above:
27.4.1. any notice that Lations Telecom sends by email to an email account hosted on the Lations Telecom System by the Customer will be deemed to have been received by the Customer on the date of transmission; and
27.4.2. if a written notice or communication is actually received by one of the Parties from the other, this will be adequate written notice or communication to that Party.
28. Disputes
28.1. In the event of any dispute arising between the Parties regarding this Agreement or any Service, the Parties will act in good faith to attempt to settle the dispute through discussions between the relevant representatives of the Parties within 30 (thirty) days of a Party giving the other Party notice of the issue in dispute. The Parties will follow any dispute or complaints resolution process that Lations Telecom may have in place.
28.2. Any dispute which cannot be resolved by the Parties within the 30 (thirty) days period, as provided in this clause 28, will be resolved by arbitration in the English language by a single arbitrator appointed by the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa and in accordance with the Rules of the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa.
28.3. Notwithstanding the provisions of this clause 28, either Party will have the right to seek relief by way of interim relief from any court of competent jurisdiction.
28.4. Pending final settlement or determination of a dispute, the Parties will continue to perform their subsisting obligations hereunder.
28.5. Notwithstanding the above, the Customer consents to the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court in respect of any action initiated for the recovery of overdue payments, notwithstanding that the amount summonsed for exceeds such jurisdiction, the decision on which Court to proceed being in the sole discretion of Lations Telecom.
28.6. Nothing in this clause 28 must be interpreted so as to restrict the Customer’s right to approach the tribunal of its choice in terms of the CPA, if it is applicable.
28.7. This clause is separate from the rest of the Agreement and will remain effective between the parties if this Agreement is terminated.
29. Force Majeure
29.1. Neither Party will be liable for any delay or failure in performing any obligation under this Agreement due to any cause beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation: industrial action, sabotage, terrorism, civil commotion, riot, war, fire, explosion, storm, flood, or other natural physical disaster, any act or policy of any state or government or other authority having jurisdiction over either Party, sanctions, boycott or embargo, termination or suspension of upstream service.
29.2. If a delay or failure referred to in clause 29.1 occurs, this Agreement will be suspended for as long as the cause of the delay or failure lasts. If the suspension is longer than three months, either Party may terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other.
30. Interpretation
30.1. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the Republic of South Africa.
30.2. In this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise: – words importing any one gender will include the other gender; the singular will include the plural and vice versa; a reference to natural persons will include created entities (corporate or unincorporate) and vice versa.
30.3. Words and expressions defined in any clause will, for the purposes of that clause, bear the meanings assigned to such words and expressions in such clause.
30.4. If any provision is a substantive provision conferring rights or imposing obligations on any Party, notwithstanding that it is only in a definitions clause, effect will be given to it as if it were a substantive provision in the body of the agreement.
30.5. Clause headings have been inserted for convenience only and will not be used for nor assist or affect its interpretation; where a clause number is cited, it will be deemed to include reference to all subclauses of that numbered clause.
30.6. The rule of construction that an agreement will be interpreted against the Party responsible for its drafting or preparation will not apply.
31. General
31.1. This Agreement is the whole of the agreement between the parties, and no document or statement not mentioned above will form part of it. Only a written variation, waiver or cancellation agreed to and signed by both parties will be of any effect.
31.2. If one party chooses not to enforce any part of this Agreement, that does not mean that the party cannot enforce that part at a later time. If any part of the Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the rest will still be enforceable.
31.3. The signatories / parties hereto acting in representative capacities warrant that they are authorised to act in such capacities, and accept personal liability under this Agreement should they prove not to be so authorised.
31.4. In the event that any part of this Agreement is found to be partially or fully unenforceable for any reason, this will not affect the application or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement.
31.5. By using the Products and Services, you are consenting to receive communications from the Provider. The Provider may send the Customer newsletters concerning new features, specials, promotions and other related services that the Provider may offer.
32. Domain Registration, Renewal, Redemption, Deletion & Domain Parking
32.1. The Registered Name Holder agrees to enter into a Registrar Registrant Agreement with the Provider when registering or transferring a domain with/to the Provider.
32.2. Ownership of the domain is the Customer’s, only after full payment has been received.
32.3. Payments for a domain name registration are non-refundable. Once a domain name is registered, the WHOIS database stores the information and it is kept there for a period of one year, until the date of renewal (‘Domain Parking’). Payment will NOT be credited back.
32.4. Domain Parking does NOT include Web Space, Virtual Hosting, or e-Mail facilities.
32.5. The Provider shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Customer if the Customer uses any Domain Name that infringes on any rights of any person, or company.
32.6. The Provider does not guarantee that a Domain Name requested by a Customer will be available. Provider’s systems may reflect that the Domain Name requested is available; however, this domain may have been already taken, as the Provider’s system is reliant on server updates from both local and international WHOIS servers.
32.7. As the Provider is a reseller of various domains, the Customer agrees to abide by the terms and conditions of the various domain registries / registrars worldwide, when registering a domain with the Provider.
32.8. As Domain registries / registrars charge a Registration Fee, Renewal Fee and Redemption Fee (This is the period after suspension by the Registry), the Customer agrees to pay the Provider the fees that relate to the registration, renewal, redemption, maintenance, or administration, of the Domain Name. These fees are not refundable.
32.9. The Registrant Name Holder has up to 10 days after the Domain Expiry date to renew the domain. After which time the domain will enter the redemption Grace Period
32.10. Once the Domain has entered the Redemption Grace Period, The Domain will be suspended at the Registry and have a status of RGP (Redemption Grace Period). The registrant name holder has 20 days restore their domain at a fee of that is applicable to TLD domain.
32.11. Once the Redemption Grace Period has passed, the domain will be deleted from the Registry and is available to anyone to register as a brand new name.
32.12. Should the Registered Name Holder activate auto-renewal on their domain name, the Registered Name Holder will be invoiced 30 days prior to the expiry of the domain. Once the Invoice has been paid, the domain will automatically be renewed for an additional year at the Registry.
32.13. Should the Customer misspell a Domain Name and the misspelt domain is registered, the Customer will be held liable for payment of the misspelt domain. No domain registration fee will be credited, and the Customer will then have to register the correctly spelled domain name at the cost of a new domain registration.
32.14. The Provider, through Lations Telecom, is an official accredited Registrar of UniForum SA and as such all .co.za domains names are registered via the new accredited EPP system. Any domain registrations registered with the Provider, on the EPP system, cannot be transferred back to the legacy system, or be transferred to any other company that uses the legacy system; domains can only be transferred between Registrars.
32.15. Should a Customer request the Provider register a new .co.za domain on their behalf, and do not want to use the EPP system, the Customer must notify the Provider of this prior to registration.
32.16. Should a Domain Name be registered on the EPP system and a Customer requests to move their hosting, the Provider can point all DNSs (name servers) elsewhere, allowing the Customer, in effect, to host their domain elsewhere. Should the name servers point to another ISP that is not accredited, or whom does not have EPP, the domain can/will be released at a later date, by written instruction from the client to the ISP/hosting provider, once they are EPP enabled.
32.17. Front-end consumer clients will receive email based domain renewal notifications 90, 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day prior expiry
32.18. Resellers or clients of resellers will receive email based domain renewal notifications 60, 30, 14 and 7 days prior expiry
32.19. Premium domains: As various registries worldwide mark high value domains as premium domains, these domains cost more. The provider will make every effort to apply pricing of a premium domain prior to checkout however this may not always be possible. Should the client have paid for domain which will marked / reflected as premium a full refund of the regular price will be given.
32.20. Domain Availability: While the provider makes every effort to display accurate domain availability data and every attempt to secure a domain for the customer. On searching for a domain name via our / the registry WHOIS, the WHOIS service may show the domain as available however said domain may already be reserved / allocated / registered by another registrar or by another client. The provider shall not be held responsible in the event of a client registering / paying for a domain while the WHOIS reflects different information. The provider shall remit a full refund to the client in cases where this happens.
32.21. Time lapse between domain availability search and payment: As there is a time delays between the domain availability search, and the payment of the said domain, it may be possible that multiple parties are registering the same domain at the same time, the domain will be provisioned to the party that has paid first and the registry will reflect this party as the registrant. In visiting this website the Customer and / or End User is / are required to provide information
(a) to register a domain name,
(b) to update information about a domain name previously registered, or
(c) to submit questions about the Provider’s products and / or services. To register a domain name, the Customer and / or End User are required to provide the following:
• the name they are registering,
• their name and address (or those of the person for whom the Customer and / or End User are registering the domain name),
• technical information with which the domain name will be associated,
• the name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, and where available, a fax number for the technical, administrative, billing, and zone contact information for the domain name.
Once the domain name has been registered, the Customer and / or End User maybe be asked to correct and / or update said information periodically, in order to ensure the WHOIS information is correct.
Any administration, billing, and technical contact information that is added to a domain name may be available on the WHOIS server for public viewing.
In terms of the Provider’s ICANN accreditation, the Provider will provide information the Customer and / or End User submitted in registering a domain name, or updating related information, to the Provider’s own employees and consultants, to the administrator of the registries, to operators and users of the Internet, whom may request Whois information related to the Customer and / or End User’s domain-name registration.
This information may be provided to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which provides technical coordination for the Internet, and to escrow agents, auditors, Whois service providers, and replacement registrars that ICANN may designate. Information the Customer and / or End User provides, in asking questions related to the Provider’s service, may be given to the Provider’s employees and consultants and, upon its request, to ICANN.