document: title: Skype.txt
text: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE DOWNLOADING THE SOFTWARE OR USING THE PRODUCT(S) OR SKYPE WEBSITES
Key Points
It is important that you read the entirety of and understand this document.
There are, however, a few key points that we need to emphasise:
NO ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SERVICES: The Software is not a replacement for your ordinary mobile or fixed line telephone.
In particular, apart from in the very limited circumstances set out in paragraph 5.6 of these Terms (applicable to Skype’s Internet Communications Software only), the Software does not allow you to make emergency calls to emergency services.
You must make alternative communications arrangements to ensure that you can make emergency calls if needed.
CHECK RESTRICTIONS ON USE: In some countries there are restrictions on the use of the Software.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are legally allowed to use the Software where you are located.
NO OWNERSHIP OF NUMBERS: If Skype allocates to you a Skype Number (previously known as “Online Number”) or Skype To Go Number, you do not own the number or have a right to retain that number forever.
Skype may need to change or withdraw the number allocated to you from time to time.
You will not transfer or attempt to transfer your Skype Number or Skype To Go Number to anyone else.
You must ensure you comply with any allocation requirements displayed when purchasing a Skype Number as failure to do so could result in the number being withdrawn.
Please see also paragraph 19.1.
SKYPE CREDIT BECOMES INACTIVE AFTER 180 DAYS: If you purchase Skype Credit please be aware that it becomes inactive after 180 days of inactivity.
Please see also paragraph 9.2.
ARBITRATION CLAUSE AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER: If you live in the USA and select Pay by Mobile (see paragraph 20), a binding arbitration clause and class action waiver affects your rights to resolve a dispute with Skype, its corporate affiliates, or other third parties including mobile phone carriers.
Please read paragraph 20.3 carefully.
1.
YOUR AGREEMENT WITH SKYPE
1.1 Skype’s internet communication software applications (“Internet Communications Software”), other “Skype” branded software applications (together the “Skype Software”), the “Qik” branded software applications (“Qik Software”) and associated documentation (whether in printed or electronic form) including any improvements, modifications, enhancements, fixes, updates, upgrades and future versions thereto (“Updates”) and whether made available for free or for a fee, (collectively the “Software”) are licensed (not sold) to you by Skype Software Sàrl.
1.2 The features and products that are made available through the Software for free (excluding products or features available for free on a trial basis only) (“Free Products”) are provided to you by Skype Software Sàrl.
1.3 Any additional products or features of the Skype Software or Qik Software, or other “Skype” or “Qik” branded products, that you pay for (including products or features available for free on a trial basis only) (“Paid For Products”) are provided to you by Skype Communications Sàrl.
1.4 “Skype Websites” means www.skype.com, www.qik.com (both of which are operated by Skype Communications Sàrl) and any other websites authorised by Skype which link to these Terms.
1.5 “Skype’’ means Skype Software Sàrl, 23 – 29 Rives de Clausen, L-2165 Luxembourg or Skype Communications Sàrl, 23 – 29 Rives de Clausen, L-2165 Luxembourg as the context requires;
“Products” means collectively the Free Products and Paid For Products;
“you” or “your” means you, the registered holder of the User Account (as described in paragraph 6.1) and licensee under these Terms.
1.6 Your agreement with Skype is made up of the terms and conditions set out in this document, together with any fair usage policies described in this document and Additional Terms referred to in paragraph 14 (collectively the “Terms”).
To the extent of any inconsistency between the fair usage policies or any Additional Terms and this document, this document shall take precedence.
2.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS
2.1 In order to download and/or use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites you must first accept these Terms.
These Terms are accepted by you (a) when you click to accept or agree to the Terms; or (b) when you download and/or use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites.
We advise you to print a copy of these Terms for your records.
These Terms remain effective from the date of acceptance until terminated by you or Skype in accordance with paragraph 11.
2.2 You cannot accept these Terms if: (a) you are not lawfully entitled to use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites in the country in which you are located or reside or (b) if you are not of legal age to form a binding agreement with Skype.
2.3 In some countries the Products may be provided to you by Skype’s local partner.
If so, that local partner may ask you to accept its own terms of service (“local terms”).
If there is any inconsistency between those local terms and these Terms, then the local terms shall govern to the extent of that inconsistency.
3.
CHANGES TO THE TERMS
3.1 Skype may make changes to these Terms from time to time.
Skype will publish the changes at www.skype.com/go/tou.
Changes to the fair usage policies and/or Additional Terms will be posted on the applicable Skype Website.
The changes will be effective when published.
Please review the Terms on a regular basis.
You understand and agree that your express acceptance of the Terms or your use of the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites after the date of publication shall constitute your agreement to the updated Terms.
If you do not agree with the amended Terms, you may terminate your relationship with Skype in accordance with paragraph 11 below.
4.
LICENCE
4.1 Licence.
Subject to your compliance with these Terms, you are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-assignable, free of charge license to download and install the Software on a personal computer, mobile phone or other device; and personally use the Software through your individual Skype or Qik user account (as applicable) (“User Account”).
For the avoidance of doubt, (a) IT administrators working on behalf of a company may download and install the Skype Software onto personal computers or other devices used by personnel of such company; and (b) you are permitted to use the Software at a university or other educational institution, or at work.
Skype reserves all rights not expressly granted to you under these Terms.
4.2 Restrictions.
You may not and you agree not to:
(a) sub-license, sell, assign, rent, lease, export, import, distribute or transfer or otherwise grant rights to any third party in the Software;
(b) undertake, cause, permit or authorise the modification, creation of derivative works or improvements, translation, reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembling, decryption, emulation, hacking, discovery or attempted discovery of the source code or protocols of the Software or any part or features thereof (except to the extent permitted by law);
(c) remove, obscure or alter any copyright notices or other proprietary notices included in the Software;
(d) use the Software or cause the Software (or any part of it) to be used within or to provide commercial products or services to third parties.
The foregoing shall not preclude you using the Software for your own business communications, subject to paragraph 4.1 above;
(e) other than for the purposes of download and installation, use the Software except through your User Account.
4.3 Third-Party Technology.
If you are using Software pre-loaded on, embedded in, combined, distributed or used with or downloaded onto third party products, hardware, software applications, programs or devices (“Third-Party Technology”), you agree and acknowledge that: (a) you may be required to enter into a separate licence agreement with the relevant third party owner or licensor for the use of such Third-Party Technology; (b) some Products and/or functionality may not be accessible through the Third-Party Technology and (c) Skype cannot guarantee that the Software shall always be available on or in connection with such Third-Party Technology.
4.4 Third Party Notices.
The Software may include third party code that Skype, not the third party, licenses to you under this agreement.
Notices, if any, for the third party code are included for your information only.
Third party scripts, linked to, called or referenced from the Software, are licensed to you by the third parties that own such code, not by Skype.
5.
USE OF THE SOFTWARE AND PRODUCTS AND SKYPE WEBSITES
5.1 Equipment: In order to use the Software and the Products you will need an Internet broadband connection.
You are responsible for providing all equipment required to access the Internet or enable communications such as headsets, microphones and webcams.
5.2 Use of Your Equipment: The Internet Communications Software may use the processing capabilities, memory and bandwidth of the computer (or other applicable device) you are using, for the limited purpose of facilitating the communication and establishing the connection between Internet Communications Software users.
If your use of the Internet Communications Software is dependent upon the use of a processor and bandwidth owned or controlled by a third party, you acknowledge and agree that your licence to use the Internet Communications Software is subject to you obtaining consent from the relevant third party for such use.
You represent and warrant that by accepting these Terms, you have obtained such consent.
5.3 Updates to the Software: Skype may automatically check your version of the Skype Software.
You may be required to enter into an updated version of these Terms to be able to download or otherwise take advantage of any Updates.
Skype has no obligation to make available any Updates.
However, Skype may (a) require you to download and install Updates; or (b) download and install Updates from Skype automatically from time to time unless you have chosen (through your Skype client settings) not to receive automatic Updates.
Microsoft Corporation or its affiliates and subsidiaries may also automatically download updates to the Skype Software for Windows, if you have chosen to receive Microsoft Updates.
These updates are required to maintain software compatibility, provide security updates or bug fixes, or offer new features, functionality or versions.
You agree to receive such updates from Skype in order to continue using the Skype Software and you agree to accept such Updates subject to these Terms.
5.4 Suspension, technical improvement and maintenance: From time to time, Skype may need to perform maintenance on or upgrade the Software, Products or Skype Websites or the underlying infrastructure that enables you to use the Software, Products or Skype Websites.
This may require Skype to temporarily suspend or limit your use of some or all of the Software, Products or Skype Websites until such time as this maintenance and/or upgrade can be completed.
To the extent possible and unless an intervention is urgently required, Skype will publish the time and date of such suspension or limitation on the Skype Website in advance.
You will not be entitled to claim damages for such suspension or limitation of the use of any Software, Product or Skype Website.
5.5 No Access to Emergency Services: Neither the Products nor the Software are intended to support or carry emergency calls to any type of hospitals, law enforcement agencies, medical care unit or any other kind of services that connect a user to emergency services personnel or public safety answering points (“Emergency Services”).
There are important differences between traditional telephone services and the Products.
You acknowledge and agree that: (i) Skype is not required to offer access to Emergency Services under any applicable local and/or national rules, regulations or law; (ii) it is your responsibility to purchase, separately from the Products, traditional wireless (mobile) or fixed line telephone services that offer access to Emergency Services, and (iii) the Software and the Products are not a replacement for your primary telephone service.
Find out more about calling 112, the dedicated emergency number for the EU at www.skype.com/go/emergency.
5.6 Limited Emergency Calling (Internet Communications Software Only and Not Applicable to the Qik Software)
5.6.1 In a very limited number of countries, and for defined Internet Communications Software versions and platforms only, Skype will try to provide limited emergency calling as a stand-alone feature but can provide no commitment in this respect.
Click here for the listing of countries (“Enabled Countries”) and software versions and other platforms (“Enabled Versions”) that enable limited Skype emergency calling.
Skype emergency calling is not available for any other countries, versions or platforms.
You should keep traditional wireless (mobile) or fixed line telephone services available for your calls to Emergency Services and use Skype’s limited emergency calling only as an absolute last resort.
In particular, please also note that:
(i) power cut, battery failure or internet connection failure can lead to a Skype call failure, including your call to Emergency Services.
Additionally, any of the quality limitations set out in paragraph 5.9 below, may otherwise affect successful call connection.
(ii) where available, an emergency call made using the Internet Communications Software in an enabled country may not receive the same network priority as a call made using traditional wireless (mobile) or fixed line telephone services.
(iii) if your emergency call is connected, you will need to tell the Emergency Services operator that you speak to where you are physically located so that the correct emergency organisation can respond to your emergency and knows where to find you.
If you do not provide this information when prompted, you acknowledge that your emergency call may not be completed and you will not be able to gain access to your required Emergency Services using the Internet Communications Software.
Skype will have no liability for your failed emergency call in such circumstances.
(iv) other than for the Enabled Countries and Enabled Versions, Skype does not provide limited emergency calling in any country or for or in conjunction with any Products or using any platforms, devices, services or operating systems (including any products, platforms, devices, services or operating systems developed by third parties using Skype’s APIs, any of Skype’s software development kits or otherwise).
5.6.2 In Enabled Countries, you should configure the limited emergency calling functionality by setting your default location for emergency calling in the Call Settings page of your desktop Internet Communications Software (if you are using a 4.1 version for Windows (or later) or version 2.8 for Mac OS X (or later)).
It is your responsibility to ensure that this location information is correct and kept up-to-date if your physical address changes.
Skype does not support emergency calls in the majority of countries around the world.
Where limited emergency calling is supported Skype will not charge you to make an emergency call and you do not need to have a Skype Credit balance.
If however your country is not supported for limited emergency calling then you should not attempt to, and agree not to, make any emergency calls using your Internet Communications Software.
If, with your permission, another user uses your User Account, it is your responsibility to inform that user of the limited circumstances in which limited emergency calling is available.
5.7 Content of Communications: Skype is not the source of, does not verify or endorse and takes no responsibility for the content of communications made using the Software.
By using the Software, you agree that any content that you submit may be transmitted to the recipient of your communication.
The content of communications is entirely the responsibility of the person from whom such content originated.
You therefore may be exposed to content that is offensive, unlawful, harmful to minors, obscene, indecent or otherwise objectionable.
The content of communications may be protected by intellectual property rights, which are owned by third parties.
You are responsible for the content you choose to communicate and access using the Software.
In particular, you are responsible for ensuring that you do not submit material that is (i) copyrighted, protected by trade secret or otherwise subject to third party proprietary rights, including privacy and publicity rights, unless you are the owner of such rights or have permission from their rightful owner (ii) a falsehood or misrepresentation (iii) offensive, unlawful, harmful to minors, obscene, defamatory, libellous, threatening, pornographic, harassing, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive, or that encourages conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, gives rise to civil liability, violates any law, or is otherwise objectionable; (iv) an advertisement or solicitation of business; or (v) impersonating another person.
Skype reserves the right (but shall have no obligation) to review content for the purpose of enforcing these Terms.
Skype may in its sole discretion block, prevent delivery of or otherwise remove the content of communications as part of its effort to protect the Software, Products or its customers, or otherwise enforce these Terms.
Further, Skype may in its sole discretion remove such content and/or terminate these Terms and your User Account if you use any content that is in breach of these Terms.
5.8 Notice and Take-Down If Skype receives any notification that any material that you post, upload, edit, host, share and/or publish on the Skype Website or through the Software (excluding your private communications) (“User Submission”) is inappropriate, infringes any rights of any third party, or if Skype wishes to remove your User Submission for any reason whatsoever, Skype reserves the right to automatically remove such User Submission for any reason immediately or within such other timescales as may be decided from time to time by Skype in its sole discretion.
The User Submission shall be taken down without any admission as to liability and without prejudice to any rights, remedies or defenses, all of which are expressly reserved.
You acknowledge and agree that Skype is under no obligation to put back such User Submission at any time.
If User Submissions infringe, or if you believe that User Submissions infringe any of your rights (including intellectual property rights) or are unlawful, please contact us immediately by following our notice and takedown procedure.
Click here to view the Notice and Takedown Procedure.
Skype reserves the right to ask for verification of your identity and to seek further information to verify your complaint.
You agree that you are solely responsible for the consequences resulting from your complaint (including but not limited to removal or blocking of the User Submission) and you acknowledge and agree that any complaint may be used in court proceedings.
Any false, misleading or inaccurate information provided by you may result in civil and criminal liability.
5.9 Quality: Skype cannot guarantee that the Software, Products or Skype Websites will always function without disruptions, delay or errors.
A number of factors may impact the quality of your communications and use of the Software, Products (depending on the Products used) or Skype Websites, and may result in the failure of your communications including but not limited to: your local network, firewall, your internet service provider, the public internet, the public switched telephone network and your power supply.
Skype takes no responsibility for any disruption, interruption or delay caused by any failure of or inadequacy in any of these items or any other items over which we have no control.
5.10 Changes to Products: Skype is constantly improving the Software and Products and may also need to change technical features from time to time in order to comply with applicable regulations.
Accordingly, you acknowledge and agree that the Products and functionality of the Software may vary from time to time.
Technical requirements for use of Products and Software and feature descriptions are available on the Skype Website.
If you do not agree with any changes to Software and Products you may terminate your relationship with Skype in accordance with paragraph 11.
You may need to upgrade to a new version in order to enjoy the benefit of certain Products.
In addition, you acknowledge and agree that certain Products may be subject to usage limits or geographical restrictions, which may vary from time to time.
Please check the Skype Website for details of the most up-to-date usage restrictions that apply to the Products that you are using.
5.11 Unsolicited Ideas Skype does not consider or accept unsolicited proposals or ideas, including without limitation ideas for new products, technologies, promotions, product names, product feedback and product improvements (“Unsolicited Feedback”).
If you send any Unsolicited Feedback to Skype through the Skype Website or otherwise, you acknowledge and agree that Skype shall not be under any obligation of confidentiality with respect to the Unsolicited Feedback.
5.12 Reports Certain parts of the Skype Websites or the Software may ask for written suggestions or problem reports such as using our contact form or problem report form (“Reports”).
Please read carefully any specific terms, which govern those Reports.
The Reports shall be deemed the property of Skype.
Skype shall exclusively own all now known or hereafter existing rights to the Reports throughout the universe in perpetuity and shall be entitled to use the Reports for any purpose whatsoever, commercial or otherwise, without compensation to the provider of the Reports.
Any Reports you send to Skype will not be treated as confidential and Skype shall not be liable for any disclosure of the Reports.
5.13 Linking You may link to the Skype Website from another website owned by you, provided you do so in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it.
You must not establish a link in such a way as to suggest any form of association, approval or endorsement by Skype where none exists.
You may not frame the Site on any other site.
Skype provides a Qik branded embeddable flash player feature which you may incorporate into your own personal, non-commercial website for use in accessing the materials on the Qik branded Skype Website.
Skype may revoke the permission to link to the Skype Websites at any time at its sole discretion and will notify you in this respect.
6.
YOUR OBLIGATIONS
6.1 User Account.
Prior to your first use of the Skype Software and your first use of the Qik Software, you will be asked to create a User Account and choose a user ID and password.
We recommend that you choose a password that is hard to guess and consists of letters, numbers and symbols.
You may only use the Software through your User Account.
You are solely responsible and liable for all activities conducted through your User Account.
To prevent unauthorised use, you shall keep your password confidential and shall not share it with any third party or use it to access third party websites or services.
If you suspect that someone else knows your password, then you shall immediately change it in order to protect the security of your User Account.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not respond to any unsolicited requests for credit card details, passwords or other data.
Skype takes no responsibility for your failure to comply with the obligations in this paragraph 6.1.
6.2 Lawful Use: You must use the Software, Products and Skype Websites in accordance with the laws of where you are located.
In some countries there are restrictions on the download and use of the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are legally allowed to use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites where you are located.
6.3 Prohibited Use: You may not:
(a) intercept or monitor, damage or modify any communication which is not intended for you;
(b) use any type of spider, virus, worm, trojan-horse, time bomb or any other codes or instructions that are designed to distort, delete, damage, emulate or disassemble the Software, Products, Skype Websites, communication or protocols;
(c) send unsolicited communications (also referred to as “SPAM”, “SPIM” or “SPIT”) or any communication not permitted by applicable law or use the Software, Products or Skype Websites for the purposes of phishing or pharming or impersonating or misrepresenting affiliation with another person or entity;
(d) expose any third party to material which is offensive, harmful to minors, indecent or otherwise objectionable in any way;
(e) use the Software, Products or Skype Websites to cause or intend to cause embarrassment or distress to, or to threaten, harass or invade the privacy of, any third party; or
(f) use (including as part of your User ID and/or profile picture) any material or content that is subject to any third party proprietary rights, unless you have a licence or permission from the owner of such rights; or
(g) collect or harvest any personally identifiable information, including account names, from the Software, Products or Skype Websites;
(h) impact or attempt to impact the availability of the Software, Products or Skype Websites for example, with a denial of service (DOS) or distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack;
(i) use or launch any automated system, including without limitation, robots, spiders or offline readers that access the Software, Products or Skype Websites.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, you agree that Skype grants to the operators of public search engines permission to use spiders to copy materials from the Skype Website for the sole purpose of creating publicly available searchable indices of the materials, but not caches or archives of such materials.
Skype reserves the right to revoke these exceptions at any time.
6.4 User Submissions Please exercise respect when participating in any features of the Skype Websites or Software such as Forums, Blogs, email functions, video hosting, sharing and/or publishing or any other function on the Skype Websites or of the Skype Software which allows you to post, upload, edit, host, share and/or publish content.
You acknowledge and agree that: (i) by using the Skype Websites and/or Software you may be exposed to content that you may find offensive or indecent and you do so at your own risk; (ii) you are solely responsible for, and Skype has no responsibility to you or any third party for any User Submissions that you create, submit, post or publish on the Skype Websites or through the Software; (iii) Skype does not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to User Submissions, whether or not they are published (iv) Skype is not responsible for any User Submissions that you may have access to through your use of the Skype Websites or Software and all User Submissions are the responsibility of the person from whom such User Submissions originated.
Skype does not endorse any User Submissions or any opinion, recommendation, or advice expressed therein, and expressly disclaims any and all liability in connection with User Submissions.
In connection with your User Submissions, you represent and warrant that you
(i) own or have the necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions to use and authorise Skype to use all copyrights, trade marks, trade secrets, patents and other intellectual property or proprietary rights in and to any and all User Submissions in accordance with these Terms; and
(ii) you have the written consent, release and /or permission of each and every identifiable individual person in the User Submission to use the name and/or likeness of each and every such individual in the User Submission, to enable inclusion and use thereof in the manner contemplated by these Terms.
You shall not copy, post or use text, photos, pictures, music, sounds, images or any other content from any third party or source (“Third Party Content”) without specific permission from the owner.
Such Third Party Content may be protected by intellectual property laws and the owners of the intellectual property rights in such content may object to its use.
You must not use any Third Party Content without first obtaining the permission of the owner of the intellectual property rights in such content.
Notwithstanding any rights or obligations governed by the Additional Terms (as defined below) if, at any time you choose to upload or post User Submissions to the Skype Websites or through the Software (excluding Reports and excluding the content of your communications) you automatically grant Skype a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, perpetual, sub-licensable and transferable license of all rights to use, edit, modify, include, incorporate, adapt, record, publicly perform, display, transmit and reproduce the User Submissions including, without limitation, all trade marks associated therewith, in connection with the Skype Websites and Skype’s Software and Products including for the purpose of promoting or redistributing part or all of the Skype Websites and/or the Software or Products, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised.
You also hereby grant each user of the Skype Website and/or Skype’s Software or Products a non-exclusive license to access your User Submission through the Skype Website and/or Software or Products and to use, copy, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, perform and transmit such User Submissions solely as permitted through the functionality of the Skype Websites and/or Software or Products and pursuant to these Terms of Use.
In addition, you waive any so-called “moral rights” in and to the User Submissions, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
You may not submit or publish through the Skype Website or Software any User Submissions that are libelous, defamatory, pornographic, harassing, hateful, an invasion of privacy, obscene, abusive, illegal, racist, offensive, harmful to a minor or an infringement of any intellectual property rights or a trade secret of a third party, or would otherwise violate the rights of any third party or give rise to civil or criminal liability.
Furthermore, you may not submit or publish User Submissions that contain falsehoods or misrepresentations, solicit funds or services, contain advertising, promotional materials, junk mail, spam, chain letters or any form of solicitation, impersonate others or include programs that contain viruses or any other programs designed to impair the functionality of any computer.
You agree not to solicit, for commercial purposes, any users of the Skype Website or Software with respect to their User Submissions.
You agree not to circumvent, disable or otherwise interfere with the security related features of the Skype Website or Software or features that prevent or restrict the use of any content thereof.
6.5 Your Information: From time to time, Skype may request information from you for the purpose of supplying the Software or Products to you.
You shall ensure that any such information is complete, up-to-date and accurate.
6.6 No Reselling.
The Software and Products are for your individual use.
You shall not resell or commercialise the Software and/or Products to any third party.
6.7 Export Restrictions: The Software may be subject to international rules that govern the export of software.
You shall comply with all applicable international and national laws that apply to the Software as well as end-user, end-use, destination restrictions issued by national governments or similar bodies, and restrictions on embargoed nations.
In the US the Internet Communications Software is controlled under ECCN 5D992 of the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) under Encryption Registration Number (“ERN”) R100351 and thus may not be exported or re exported from the US to or downloaded by any person in any countries controlled for anti terrorism reasons under the EAR, which include Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria and Sudan.
Moreover, the Internet Communications Software may not be exported or re exported from the US to or downloaded by any person or entity subject to US sanctions regardless of location.
See www.bis.doc.gov/ComplianceAndEnforcement/ListsToCheck.htm and EAR Part 736.
Skype is making the Software available to you for download only on the condition that you certify that you are not such a person or entity and that the download is not otherwise in violation of US export control and sanctions regulations.
7.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
7.1 The Software, Products and Skype Websites contain proprietary and confidential information that is protected by intellectual property laws and treaties.
7.2 The content and compilation of content included on the Skype Websites, (excluding User Submissions) such as sounds, text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads and software, are the property of Skype, its affiliates or licensors and are protected by United States and international copyright laws.
Such copyright protected content cannot be reproduced without Skype’s express permission.
You may download and make personal, non-commercial use of User Submissions on www.qik.com that are displayed with a “download” or similar link.
Skype reserves all rights not expressly granted in the Skype Websites.
7.3 Skype and/or its licensors retain exclusive ownership of the Software, Products and Skype Websites and all intellectual property therein (whether or not registered and anywhere in the world).
You will not take any action to jeopardise, limit or interfere with Skype’s intellectual property rights in the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites.
7.4 “Skype”, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” logo are trademarks of Skype.
Skype has registered and filed applications to register its trademarks in many countries worldwide.
Skype’s trademarks and trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not Skype’s, in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among customers, or in any manner that disparages or discredits Skype.
All other trademarks not owned by Skype or any of its related companies that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners.
You are not permitted to and shall not register or use any trade name, trademark, logo, domain name or any other name or sign that incorporates any of Skype’s intellectual property (in whole or part) or that is confusingly similar thereto.
Please also see Skype’s Trademark Guidelines for further details on use of its marks.
8.
CHARGES
8.1 Calling phones and premium rate numbers with Skype Credit:
(i) Calling landlines and mobiles: The charges payable for calling phones (outside of a subscription) consist of a connection fee (charged once, per call) and a per-minute rate as set out on www.skype.com/go/allrates.
All calls will be disconnected and require a re-dial after a 4-hour duration and an additional connection fee will be charged on re-dial.
(ii) Premium rate numbers: The charges payable for calling premium rate numbers consist of a per-minute rate available at www.skype.com/go/rates-premium.
No connection fee is payable.
(iii) Skype may change the rates for calling phones and premium rate numbers at any time without notice to you by posting such change at www.skype.com/go/allrates.
The new rate will apply to your next purchase after the new rates have been published.
Please check the latest rates before you make your call.
If you do not accept the new rates, do not make your call.
(iv) The duration of a call shall be based on one-minute increments.
Fractions of minutes will be rounded up to the next minute.
The connection fee, where applicable, will be charged at the beginning of the call.
At the end of a call, fractional cent charges will be rounded up to the nearest whole cent, for example a total call price of €0.034 will be rounded up to €0.04.
During the call, charges incurred will be deducted automatically from the Skype Credit balance in your User Account.
8.2 Charges for other Paid For Products: The charges for other Paid For Products will be confirmed to you before you complete a purchase from Skype.
Skype may change the charges payable for the purchase of such Products at any time without any notice to you.
You can choose whether or not to accept the new charges prior to completing your next purchase of the applicable Product.
The new charges will apply to your next purchase after the new charges have been published.
8.3 Promotional Offers: From time to time, Skype may offer Paid-For Products for free for a trial period.
Skype reserves the right to charge you for such Products (at the normal rate) in the event that Skype determines (in its reasonable discretion) that you are abusing the terms of the offer, including if you are using any service, proxy or other devices or anonymous IP address that prevents us from locating you.
8.4 Tax: Skype may collect VAT or other indirect taxes at the appropriate rate (as per applicable tax rules) at the time of purchase of Skype Credit.
15% Luxembourg VAT generally applies if you are located in the EU and the Products are purchased and used in the EU.
8% Swiss VAT applies if you are located in Switzerland.
Other local taxes may apply in certain countries.
When you purchase a voucher or pre-paid card, depending on the country, 15% Luxembourg VAT, local VAT or other taxes may apply and may be deducted from the value of the voucher or prepaid card upon redemption.
You explicitly waive any right to VAT reimbursement from Skype if the amount of VAT ultimately payable by the latter to the tax authorities would for any reason be lower than the amount of VAT collected from you at the time of purchase.
Your Skype Credit balance is displayed exclusive of any such taxes.
The territories in the EU set out below are outside the scope of EU VAT under Council Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of VAT, as amended.
The Skype Website does not enable users in such territories to take advantage of this VAT exemption and we therefore do not provide the Products in such territories: Mount Athos, Canary Islands, French Overseas Departments, Aland Islands, Channel Islands, Heligoland Island, Büsingen / Buesingen Territory, Ceuta, Melilla, Livigno, Campione d'Italia and Italian Waters of Lake Lugano.
8.5 Third-Party Charges: Using the Software on mobile applications will use some of the data allowance available on the data package to which you have subscribed with your mobile network operator.
Out-of-country usage may lead to significantly higher costs than regular usage, and you are solely responsible for keeping yourself informed and paying for possible roaming and other applicable charges levied by your mobile network operator.
9.
PAYMENT
9.1 Skype Credit.
You can pay for select Paid-For Products using Skype Credit.
You can purchase Skype Credit using any payment method made available to you by Skype from time to time.
The Skype Credit that you purchase will be credited to your User Account at the time of purchase (or if you are using a Skype Credit voucher, at the time you redeem that voucher).
9.2 Inactive Skype Credit.
If you do not use your Skype Credit for a period of 180 days, (including Skype Credit that has been allocated to you by a Skype Manager administrator) Skype will place your Skype Credit on inactive status.
You can reactivate the Skype Credit by following the reactivation link in My Account at https://secure.skype.com/account/credit-reactivate.
Reactivated Skype Credit is not refundable.
If you are located in Japan and you buy Skype Credit from the Skype Website, this paragraph does not apply to you and your Skype Credit shall expire 6 months from the date of purchase.
You are not permitted to use any Skype Credit on or after the date of its expiry.
9.3 Other payment methods.
Skype does not guarantee that you will be able to use your Skype Credit balance to purchase all Products.
Where Skype Credit cannot be used to pay for a Product, Skype will make another payment method available to you.
Skype reserves the right to remove or amend the available payment methods at its sole discretion.
9.4 Recurring Payments.
Where you purchase Products on a subscription basis (monthly, every 3 months or annually (as applicable)), you acknowledge and agree that this is a recurring payment and payments shall be made to Skype by the method you have chosen at the recurring intervals chosen by you, until the subscription for that Product is terminated by you or by Skype.
9.5 Auto-Recharge.
(a) The Auto-Recharge feature will be automatically enabled when you buy Skype Credit, unless you untick the appropriate box.
Your Skype Credit balance will be recharged with the same amount and by the same payment method chosen when you first sign up for Auto-Recharge, unless you subsequently change the amount by accessing your User Account.
For example, if you purchase 10 Euros of Skype Credit with your credit card, the recharge amount charged to your credit card will also be 10 Euros of Skype Credit.
In future the same amount will be charged to your credit card every time your Skype account balance goes below the threshold set by Skype from time to time.
If you do not want to enable Auto-Recharge, please untick the box.
(b) If you purchased a subscription with a payment method other than credit card, PayPal or Moneybookers (Skrill), and you have enabled Auto-Recharge, your Skype Credit balance will be recharged with the amount necessary to purchase your next recurring subscription.
(c) You can disable Auto-Recharge at any time by accessing your User Account.
10.
REFUND POLICY
10.1 When you purchase Paid-For-Products directly from Skype you will be entitled to a cancellation period of fifteen (15) days (a “Cooling-Off Period”) unless you have made use of the Paid-For-Products in any way, in which case the Cooling-Off Period will be extinguished and your purchase cannot be cancelled or refunded.
10.2 Outside of the Cooling-Off Period, only subscriptions are refundable unless used or expired.
10.3 Expenditure of Skype Credit, allocation of a Skype Number, or use of any aspect of a subscription amounts to “use” of a Paid-For-Product.
You hereby expressly agree that Skype Numbers may be allocated before the end of the Cooling-Off Period.
10.4 The Cooling-Off Period and refunds do not apply to Paid-For-Products that are (i) purchased via a third party partner of Skype (please contact the partner directly, who may decide in its sole discretion whether or not to pay a refund), (ii) not directly acquired online from Skype (e.g. vouchers or pre-paid cards) (iii) paid for in cash using third party payment methods (such as a cash payment wallet) and (iv) paid for and allocated to your Skype Account by a Skype Manager administrator.
They also do not apply to Membership of Skype Developer.
10.5 If you believe that Skype has charged you in error, you must contact Skype within 90 days of such charge.
No refunds will be given for any charges more than 90 days old.
10.6 Skype reserves the right to refuse a refund request if it reasonably believes (i) that you are trying to unfairly exploit this refund policy, for example, by making repetitive refund requests in respect of the same Product; (ii) if you are in breach of these Terms or (iii) if Skype reasonably suspects that you are using our Products or Software fraudulently or that your User Account is being used by a third party fraudulently.
10.7 This refund policy does not affect your statutory rights.
11.
ENDING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SKYPE
11.1 You may terminate your relationship with Skype at any time and without recourse to the courts by requesting closure of your User Account, ceasing to use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites and cancelling any recurring payments.
11.2 Skype may terminate its relationship with you, or may terminate or suspend your use of the Software, User Account(s), Products or Skype Websites at any time and without recourse to the courts:
(a) if you are in breach of these Terms;
(b) if Skype reasonably suspects that you are using the Software, the Products and/or Skype Websites to break the law or infringe third party rights;
(c) if Skype reasonably suspects that you are trying to unfairly exploit or misuse the refund policy, or any of our policies.
(d) if Skype reasonably suspects that you are using our Products, Software and/or Skype Websites fraudulently or that your User Account is being used by a third party fraudulently;
(e) if you have purchased Skype Credit from an unauthorised reseller;
(f) in respect of a particular Product, on thirty (30) days notice if Skype decides to cease offering that Product;
(g) immediately, if required due to a change in laws/regulation by a regulator or authority with a lawful mandate, or by any of Skype’s partners;
(h) on thirty (30) days notice if Skype decides to cease offering the Software to users in your jurisdiction generally.
11.3 Skype shall effect such termination by preventing your access to your User Account, the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites (as applicable).
We reserve the right to cancel User Accounts that have been inactive for more than one (1) year.
11.4 Consequences of Termination: Upon termination of your relationship with Skype: (a) all licenses and rights to use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites shall immediately terminate; (b) you will immediately cease any and all use of the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites; and (c) you will immediately remove the Software from all hard drives, networks and other storage media and destroy all copies of the Software in your possession or under your control.
12.
EXCLUSION OF WARRANTIES, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
12.1 For the purposes of this paragraph 12, "Skype" includes its subsidiary companies and affiliated legal entities and all their directors, officers, agents, licensors and employees.
12.2 No Warranties: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW: THE SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS AND SKYPE WEBSITES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND USED AT YOUR SOLE RISK WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER; SKYPE DOES NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTIES, CLAIMS OR REPRESENTATIONS AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL SUCH WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR USE FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
SKYPE FURTHER DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE, ACCESSIBLE, UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, ACCURATE, COMPLETE AND ERROR-FREE OR WILL OPERATE WITHOUT PACKET LOSS, NOR DOES SKYPE WARRANT ANY CONNECTION TO OR TRANSMISSION FROM THE INTERNET, OR ANY QUALITY OF CALLS MADE THROUGH THE SOFTWARE.
12.3 Nothing in these Terms shall exclude or restrict Skype's liability for (a) death or personal injury, (b) loss resulting from Skype's wilful default or gross negligence, (c) fraud or deliberate misrepresentation, or (d) any liability which cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law.
12.4 No Liability: YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT SKYPE WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES HAS BEEN NOTIFIED TO SKYPE, IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF SKYPE WEBSITES, OR THE INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE OR OTHER SOFTWARE THAT IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE.
YOUR ONLY RIGHT OR REMEDY WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROBLEMS OR DISSATISFACTION WITH SUCH SOFTWARE AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES IS TO IMMEDIATELY DEINSTALL SUCH SOFTWARE AND CEASE USE OF SUCH SOFTWARE AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES.
12.5 Limitation of Liability: Subject to paragraphs 12.3 and 12.4 above, Skype shall not be liable to you, whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or any other theory of liability, and whether or not the possibility of such damages or losses has been notified to Skype, for:
(a) any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages; or
(b) any loss of income, business, actual or anticipated profits, opportunity, goodwill or reputation (whether direct or indirect); or
(c) any damage to or corruption of data (whether direct or indirect);
(d) any claim, damage or loss (whether direct or indirect ) arising from or relating to:
(i) your inability to use the Software to contact Emergency Services;
(ii) your failure to make additional arrangements to access Emergency Services in accordance with paragraph 5.5 above;
(iii)the service limitations set out in paragraph 5.6;
(iv)your failure to provide accurate physical location information to an Emergency Services operative; or
(v)conduct of third party Emergency Services operatives and calling centres to which you may be connected.
(e) any claim, damage or loss (whether direct or indirect) arising from or relating to:
(i) any product or service provided by a third party under their own terms of service, including without limitation, Skype WiFi;
(ii) any Third Party Technology;
(iii) any third party website.
12.6 Subject to paragraphs 12.3 - 12.5 above, Skype’s total liability to you under or in connection with these Terms (whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or any other theory of liability)) SHALL NOT EXCEED IN AGGREGATE THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE PRODUCTS IN THE 12 MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE RELEVANT CLAIM, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF FIVE THOUSAND EUROS IN ALL CASES.
12.7 If any third party brings a claim against Skype in connection with, or arising out of (i) your breach of these Terms; (ii) your breach of any applicable law of regulation; (iii) your infringement or violation of the rights of any third parties (including intellectual property rights); (iv) your User Submissions or (v) your complaint in relation to any User Submission, you will indemnify and hold Skype harmless from and against all damages, liability, loss, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and costs) related to such claim.
13.
THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
13.1 Third parties may offer products or services via the Software and/or Skype Websites, including games, applications, images, ring tones, or avatars.
Whilst Skype takes no responsibility for such products or services, if you encounter any problems with payment for or download, use of installation of such products or services, Skype will use commercially reasonable endeavours to assist or resolve the problems.
The third party products or services may be subject to the third party provider’s own terms and privacy policy that you may have to accept upon download or installation.
You should review such terms before making any purchase or using any third party product or service and Skype shall not be responsible for your failure to do so.
13.2 You acknowledge and agree that any third-party product information and pricing that is shown on the Skype Websites regarding third-party products and services is given to Skype by the applicable third-party merchant (“Merchant”).
The Merchant has the ability to change its pricing or terminate its product availability at anytime.
Skype is not involved in any transactions between you and any Merchant whose products and/or services are listed on the Skype Websites.
Skype does not control, is not responsible for and does not guarantee: (i) the pricing, quality, performance, availability or terms and conditions of purchase of products or services provided by the Merchant; (ii) any payment transactions, delivery, returns or after sales activities related to the products or services purchased on the Merchants’ websites; (iii) the availability of the Merchant’s websites; (iv) the completeness, truth or accuracy of any advertising or other materials on, or available from, the Merchants’ websites, nor any listing or other content about such products and services displayed on the Skype Websites; (v) links to the Merchants’ websites that are featured on the Skype Websites.
Any questions, complaints, or claims related to any product or service provided by a Merchant should be directed to the applicable Merchant.
13.3 The Software and Skype Websites may include hyperlinks to other third party websites.
Skype is not responsible for such third party websites or the availability of such websites and does not endorse any content or material on such third party websites.
Your use of each of these third party websites is subject to the terms and conditions posted on the applicable website.
14.
ADDITIONAL TERMS
14.1 The Skype Etiquette provides guidelines on how to use Skype and how to treat the other members of Skype’s community properly and respectfully.
Please read these guidelines carefully which form part of the Terms.
14.2 If you want to use the Internet Communications Software in connection with any Broadcast, you must comply with the Broadcast TOS at http://www.skype.com/legal/broadcast
14.3 Software Development Kits and APIs.
Software development kits provided through Skype Developer on the Skype Website (including “SkypeKit”) and the use of any application program interface (“API”) exposed or made available by Skype are subject to their own licensing terms in which case such licensing terms will govern your use of that software.
If you use any such software development kit or API (as applicable) you agree that you have read and will comply with the applicable licensing terms, which are available on http://developer.skype.com/.
14.4 Qik Free and Open Source Software Notice is incorporated herein by reference.
15.
YOUR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND YOUR PRIVACY
Skype is committed to respecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information.
We will process your personal information, the traffic data and the content of your communication(s) in accordance with our Privacy Policy: http://www.skype.com/go/privacy.
16.
FOR GOVERNMENT USERS ONLY
The Software and Documentation are “commercial computer software” and “commercial computer software documentation,” respectively, as such terms are used in United States Federal Acquisition Regulations paragraph 12.212.
Any use, duplication or disclosure of the Software or the Documentation by or on behalf of the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in this Agreement.
17.
HOW TO CONTACT SKYPE
17.1 To contact Skype in relation to the Skype Software or “Skype” branded Products, please submit a support request to support.skype.com.
17.2 To contact Skype in relation to the Qik Software or “Qik” branded Products, please submit a support request to support.qik.com.
17.3 If you contact Skype by any means other than as set out in paragraphs 17.1 or 17.2, your request may not be acknowledged.
18.
MISCELLANEOUS
18.1 You agree to the use of electronic communication in order to enter into contracts, place orders, and create other records and to the electronic delivery of notices, policies and changes thereto and records of transactions with Skype.
18.2 For your convenience, Skype may provide you with a translation of the English language version of these Terms.
In the event of any inconsistency between a non-English version of these Terms and the English version, the English version shall govern your relationship with Skype.
18.3 These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Skype with respect to your use of the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites and replace any prior agreements between you and Skype with respect to the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites.
18.4 If any provision of these Terms (or part of it), is found by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, then such provision (or part of it) shall be removed from the Terms without affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder of the Terms.
Paragraph 20.3(i) says what happens if parts of paragraph 20.3 (arbitration and class action waiver) are found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable.
Paragraph 20.3(i) prevails over this paragraph if inconsistent with it.
18.5 The failure by Skype to exercise, or delay in exercising, a legal right or remedy provided by these Terms or by law shall not constitute a waiver of Skype’s right or remedy.
If Skype waives a breach of these Terms, this shall not operate as a waiver of a subsequent breach of the Terms.
18.6 You may not assign these Terms or any rights or obligations contained in them.
Skype may, without prior notice, assign these Terms or any rights or obligations contained in them to any third party.
18.7 This paragraph 18, along with paragraphs, 4.2, 12, 20.3 and any other provisions, which are expressed or clearly intended to survive or operate in the event of termination, shall survive termination of the Terms.
18.8 You acknowledge and agree that if Skype is unable to provide the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites as a result of a force majeure event, Skype will not be in breach of any of its obligations towards you under these Terms.
A force majeure event means any event beyond the control of Skype.
18.9 These Terms other than paragraph 20.3 shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Luxembourg and shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the district of Luxembourg.
Paragraph 20.3 is governed by the United States Federal Arbitration Act.
18.10 AVC/H.264 NOTICE: If the Software is used to make video calls (i) between a personal computer and a device that is not a personal computer or (ii) between devices that are not personal computers, the AVC/H.264 codec may be used to facilitate video functionality in which case the following notice applies: THE AVC VIDEO FUNCTIONALITY IN THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF A CONSUMER TO (i) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AVC STANDARD (“AVC VIDEO”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE AVC VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE AVC VIDEO.
NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C. SEE www.mpegla.com.
19.
PRODUCT SPECIFIC TERMS
19.1 Skype Numbers (previously known as “Online Numbers”) and Skype To Go numbers
(a) Availability and use.
Where we provide you with a Skype Number or Skype To Go number, you agree that:
(i) you do not own the number or have a right to retain that number forever;
(ii) the number provided to you is subject to applicable numbering rules and regulatory practices;
(iii) you will comply on an ongoing basis with any specific number allocation requirements that we make you aware of, or any reasonable instructions that Skype or Skype’s partners may give to you with regard to the use of the numbers and the Products;
(iv) you will not transfer or attempt to transfer your number to any third party.
In particular, you are responsible for compliance with any requirements related to residency and or location; and
(v) you will supply accurate, complete and up-to-date information to us where we request it and inform us where such information changes.
Skype reserves the right to change the terms related to Skype Numbers and/or Skype To Go numbers, including without limitation to impose or amend any residency requirements and/or require the provision of further user information for continued access to such numbers.
In certain countries, a number may be made available to you by a Skype partner rather than Skype, and you may need to enter into a separate agreement with such partner.
(b) Other changes to numbers.
If Skype needs to withdraw or change the number that has been made available to you, Skype will use commercially reasonable endeavours to notify you by e-mail, stating the effective date of the change and where possible, your new number.
If you do not wish to accept this new number, you are entitled to terminate your number.
19.2 User Account on Skype Manager
(a) You are not permitted to belong to more than one Skype Manager at the same time.
(b) Any Skype Number purchased before 21 July 2009 and allocated to you by a Skype Manager administrator shall be taken back by the administrator of the Skype Manager, if you leave the Skype Manager account for any reason.
The right to use the number and the cancellation of such right rest with the Skype Manager administrator at his/her sole discretion and not you.
(c) Personal and traffic data – Members.
As a member of a Skype Manager account you acknowledge and agree that the administrator of the Skype Manager may, if you agree, view detailed information about the activity on your User Account including the time, date, duration and destination number of calls and SMS made and details of your purchases and downloads.
You can withdraw your agreement at any time by changing the settings on your User Account.
If you provide personal data including your name and job title to be included on the Skype Manager directory, you acknowledge that other members of that Skype Manager may view such data.
19.3 Subscriptions
(a) Fair Usage Policy.
At Skype, we want all of our customers to get the best calling plans, known as ‘subscriptions’, at the lowest possible price.
This Fair Usage Policy ("FUP") is designed to prevent fraud and abuse of our subscriptions by a small number of users.
Subject to this FUP, Skype’s unlimited subscriptions allow unlimited calls to landlines in the applicable subscription countries (excluding special, premium, service and non-geographic numbers).
Unlimited calls to mobiles may also be included where stated at the time of purchase.
All calls will be disconnected and require a re-dial after a 2-hour duration.
Skype’s subscriptions are for individual use only (personal or business communications) in accordance with our Terms of Use and this FUP (“Legitimate Use”).
The following is a non-exhaustive list of practices that would not be considered Legitimate Use:
(i) Using subscriptions for telemarketing or call centre operations;
(ii) Re-selling subscription minutes;
(iii) Sharing subscriptions between users whether via a PBX, call centre, computer or any other means;
(iv) Calling numbers (whether singly, sequentially or automatically) to generate income for yourself or others as a result of merely placing the call, other than for your individual business communications (and subject to paragraph 4.1 of the Terms of Use); and
(v) Unusual calling patterns inconsistent with normal, individual subscription use, for example, regular calls of short duration or calls to multiple numbers in a short period of time.
Other practices may be relevant in determining Legitimate Use and Skype reserves the right to take any unlawful, prohibited, abnormal or unusual activity into account in making its determination.
Skype may at its option, terminate its relationship with you, or may suspend your subscription immediately if it determines you are using your subscription contrary to this FUP or Skype’s Terms of Use.
Where reasonable, Skype will provide you with notice of improper usage before suspension or termination of your subscription and, if appropriate, Skype may offer you an alternative subscription.
(b) Skype reserves the right to withdraw or change the subscriptions at any time.
If Skype changes the Products included in your subscription, Skype will notify you by email stating the changes and their effective date.
If you do not wish to accept these changes, you are entitled to terminate your subscription, with effect from the date on which the changes are due to take effect.
(c) The “Unlimited World Extra” subscription has a minimum fixed term of 2 years from the date of purchase.
You are not permitted to terminate it before the expiry of the 2-year minimum term except in case of breach by Skype of the Terms.
This subscription is billed monthly as a recurring payment.
19.4 Skype WiFi
Skype WiFi is provided by one of Skype’s WiFi partners.
Your use of Skype WiFi is subject to that partner’s terms of service.
Before you start a Skype WiFi session at a specific WiFi hotspot, you will be notified of the identity of the WiFi provider and their terms of service.
You will have to read their terms of service, which you agree to be subject to by proceeding with the Skype WiFi session.
You can pay for Skype WiFi using your Skype Credit balance, and your use of Skype Credit is subject to these Terms of Service.
19.5 SMS
Each SMS message has a limit of 160 characters.
If you type a longer message it will be broken down into several SMS messages and you will be charged for each message sent.
If you send SMS messages to more than one person you will be charged for each SMS sent to each recipient.
If Skype cannot (for whatever reason) send your SMS, Skype will continue to try and send the message for up to 24 hours after which time the SMS charge will be refunded to your Skype Credit balance automatically if delivery is unsuccessful.
19.6 Group Video Calling
(a) A fair usage policy applies at www.skype.com/go/terms.gvc.fairusage and is incorporated herein by reference.
Skype reserves the right to change the fair usage policy at any time.
Changes shall become effective when published on the Skype Website.
Your continued use of a Skype Premium Subscription after publication on the Skype Website shall constitute your acceptance to be bound by the terms and conditions of the revised fair usage policy.
(b) Number of Participants.
The number of permitted participants on a group video call varies from 3 to a maximum of 10, subject to system requirements.
You can find more details at www.skype.com/go/skypepremium.
(c) Audio Conversion.
If a Skype Premium Subscription or Day Pass expires during a group video call, or it has exceeded the fair usage limit, or the owner of the Skype Premium Subscription leaves the call (and there is no other participant on the call who owns a Skype Premium Subscription), then the call will convert from video to audio.
(d) Software Versions.
If a participant of a group video call is not on a version of Internet Communications Software that supports group video calls, then the call will be an audio call only for that participant.
For details of the system requirements for group video calling, please see www.skype.com/go/skypepremium.requirements.
(e) Live chat.
Live chat customer support is available as part of the Skype Premium Subscription.
This support is available 24 hours a day, every day, and only in English.
19.7 Qik Premium Fair Usage Policy
Qik Premium is subject to a fair usage policy of 15GB of video storage per user per month and each video can be no more than 90 minutes in duration.
Once these limits have been reached you cannot upload any new videos in that month or continue recording beyond the 90-minute mark.
Skype reserves the right to change the fair usage policy at any time.
Changes shall become effective when published on the Skype Website.
Your continued use of Qik Premium after publication on the Skype Website shall constitute your acceptance to be bound by the terms and conditions of the revised fair usage policy.
19.8 Skype Video Messaging (“Video Messaging”)
If you are not a Skype Premium subscriber, the number of Video Messages you can send are limited and will be subject to an expiry date.
Fair Use Policy: This FUP is designed to prevent fraud and abuse of Video Messaging.
Video Messaging is for personal, individual and non-commercial use only, and to be in accordance with these Terms at all times (“Legitimate Use”).
Skype reserves the right to take any unlawful, prohibited, abnormal or unusual activity into account in making its determination as to whether your activity does not constitute Legitimate Use.
Skype may in its option, terminate its relationship with you, or suspend your account immediately if it determines you are using Video Messaging contrary to this FUP or these Terms.
20.
PAY BY MOBILE
20.1 This section applies if you select a third-party payment system that enables you to pay for Skype Credit and certain Paid for Products via your mobile phone bill where applicable (“Pay by Mobile”).
20.2 By selecting or using Pay by Mobile:
(a) You authorise your mobile phone carrier to charge appropriate fees directly to your mobile phone bill; and
(b) You represent that you are the person or entity responsible for the mobile phone account associated with the mobile number you provide when using Pay by Mobile, or are authorised by that person or entity to incur such charges.
20.3 BINDING ARBITRATION AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER FOR UNITED STATES ACCOUNTS.
If you select Pay by Mobile and your mobile phone account is registered with a mobile phone carrier in the USA or you reside in the USA, the following additional terms apply:
(a) Paragraph 20.3 applies to any dispute arising between you and either Skype or any third party including mobile phone carriers and Skype’s corporate affiliates (collectively, “Disputed Party” or “Disputed Parties”) relating to your use of Pay by Mobile, EXCEPT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A DISPUTE RELATING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OR VALIDITY OF YOUR, SKYPE’S, OR EITHER OF OUR LICENSORS’ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
Dispute, for purposes of paragraph 20.3, means any dispute, action, or other controversy whether in contract, warranty, tort, statute, regulation, ordinance, or any other legal or equitable basis.
Dispute will be given the broadest possible meaning allowable under law.
(b) In the event of a dispute, you must provide Skype or other Disputed Party with a Notice of Dispute, which is a written statement of the name, address and contact information of the party giving it, the facts giving rise to the dispute, and the relief requested.
You must send any Notice of Dispute to Skype or its corporate affiliate at ATTN: Legal Department, Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-7329.
and to any other Disputed Party at its principal place of business in the USA, marked ATTN: Legal Department.
The Disputed Party will send any Notice of Dispute to your address if it has it, or otherwise to your e-mail address on file.
You and the Disputed Party will attempt to resolve any dispute through informal negotiation within 60 days from the date the Notice of Dispute is sent, after which you or the Disputed Party may commence arbitration.
(c) You may also litigate any dispute in a small claims court in your county of residence, if the dispute meets all requirements to be heard in the small claims court.
You may litigate in a small claims court whether or not you negotiated informally first.
(d) Binding Arbitration.
If you and a Disputed Party do not resolve any dispute by informal negotiation or in small claims court, any other effort to resolve the dispute will be conducted exclusively by binding arbitration governed by the United States Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”).
You are giving up the right to litigate (or participate in as a party or class member) all disputes in court before a judge or jury.
Instead, all disputes will be resolved before a neutral arbitrator, whose decision will be final except for a limited right of appeal under the FAA.
Any court with jurisdiction over the parties may enforce the arbitrator’s award.
(e) Class Action Waiver.
Any proceedings to resolve or litigate any dispute in any forum will be conducted solely on an individual basis.
Neither you nor a Disputed Party will seek to have any dispute heard as a class action, private attorney general action, or in any other proceeding in which either party acts or proposes to act in a representative capacity.
No arbitration or proceeding will be combined with another without the prior written consent of all parties to all affected arbitrations or proceedings.
(f) Any arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules.
If you are an individual and use the Software or Products for personal or household use, or if the value of the dispute is $75,000 USD or less whether or not you are an individual or how you use them, its Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes will also apply.
For more information, see adr.org or call +1-800-778-7879.
In a dispute involving $75,000 USD or less, Skype will promptly reimburse your filing fees and pay the AAA’s and arbitrator’s fees.
You and Skype agree to the terms governing procedures, fees and incentives at go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=275219.
 To commence arbitration, submit the form available at go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=275627 to the AAA.
You agree to commence arbitration only in your county of residence, in Santa Clara County, California, or another Disputed Party’s principal place of business in the USA.
Skype and other Disputed Parties agree to commence arbitration only in your county of residence.
(g) To the extent permitted by law, any claim or dispute relating to your use of Pay by Mobile must be filed within one year in small claims court (paragraph 20.3(c)) or in arbitration (paragraph 20.3(d)).
The one-year period begins when the claim or dispute first could be filed.
If such a claim or dispute is not filed within one year, it is permanently barred.
(h) Rejecting Future Arbitration Changes.
You may reject any change Skype makes to paragraph 20.3 (other than address changes) by sending us notice within 30 days of the change by U.S. Mail to the address in paragraph 20.3(b).
If you do, the most recent version of paragraph 20.3 before the change you rejected will apply.
(i) If the class action waiver in paragraph 20.3(e) is found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable as to all or some parts of a dispute, then paragraph 20.3 will not apply to those parts.
Instead, those parts will be severed and proceed in a court of law, with the remaining parts proceeding in arbitration.
If any other provision of paragraph 20.3 is found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be severed with the remainder of paragraph 20.3 remaining in full force and effect.
YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS AND UNDERSTAND THE RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN.
BY CLICKING ON THE ACCEPT BUTTON AND/OR CONTINUING TO INSTALL THE SOFTWARE OR USE THE SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES, YOU EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND GRANT TO SKYPE THE RIGHTS SET FORTH HEREIN.

sentences: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE DOWNLOADING THE SOFTWARE OR USING THE PRODUCT(S) OR SKYPE WEBSITES
Key Points
It is important that you read the entirety of and understand this document.
There are, however, a few key points that we need to emphasise:
NO ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SERVICES: The Software is not a replacement for your ordinary mobile or fixed line telephone.
In particular, apart from in the very limited circumstances set out in paragraph 5.6 of these Terms (applicable to Skype’s Internet Communications Software only), the Software does not allow you to make emergency calls to emergency services.
You must make alternative communications arrangements to ensure that you can make emergency calls if needed.
CHECK RESTRICTIONS ON USE: In some countries there are restrictions on the use of the Software.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are legally allowed to use the Software where you are located.
NO OWNERSHIP OF NUMBERS: If Skype allocates to you a Skype Number (previously known as “Online Number”) or Skype To Go Number, you do not own the number or have a right to retain that number forever.
Skype may need to change or withdraw the number allocated to you from time to time.
You will not transfer or attempt to transfer your Skype Number or Skype To Go Number to anyone else.
You must ensure you comply with any allocation requirements displayed when purchasing a Skype Number as failure to do so could result in the number being withdrawn.
Please see also paragraph 19.1.
SKYPE CREDIT BECOMES INACTIVE AFTER 180 DAYS: If you purchase Skype Credit please be aware that it becomes inactive after 180 days of inactivity.
Please see also paragraph 9.2.
ARBITRATION CLAUSE AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER: If you live in the USA and select Pay by Mobile (see paragraph 20), a binding arbitration clause and class action waiver affects your rights to resolve a dispute with Skype, its corporate affiliates, or other third parties including mobile phone carriers.
Please read paragraph 20.3 carefully.
1.
YOUR AGREEMENT WITH SKYPE
1.1 Skype’s internet communication software applications (“Internet Communications Software”), other “Skype” branded software applications (together the “Skype Software”), the “Qik” branded software applications (“Qik Software”) and associated documentation (whether in printed or electronic form) including any improvements, modifications, enhancements, fixes, updates, upgrades and future versions thereto (“Updates”) and whether made available for free or for a fee, (collectively the “Software”) are licensed (not sold) to you by Skype Software Sàrl.
1.2 The features and products that are made available through the Software for free (excluding products or features available for free on a trial basis only) (“Free Products”) are provided to you by Skype Software Sàrl.
1.3 Any additional products or features of the Skype Software or Qik Software, or other “Skype” or “Qik” branded products, that you pay for (including products or features available for free on a trial basis only) (“Paid For Products”) are provided to you by Skype Communications Sàrl.
1.4 “Skype Websites” means www.skype.com, www.qik.com (both of which are operated by Skype Communications Sàrl) and any other websites authorised by Skype which link to these Terms.
1.5 “Skype’’ means Skype Software Sàrl, 23 – 29 Rives de Clausen, L-2165 Luxembourg or Skype Communications Sàrl, 23 – 29 Rives de Clausen, L-2165 Luxembourg as the context requires;
“Products” means collectively the Free Products and Paid For Products;
“you” or “your” means you, the registered holder of the User Account (as described in paragraph 6.1) and licensee under these Terms.
1.6 Your agreement with Skype is made up of the terms and conditions set out in this document, together with any fair usage policies described in this document and Additional Terms referred to in paragraph 14 (collectively the “Terms”).
To the extent of any inconsistency between the fair usage policies or any Additional Terms and this document, this document shall take precedence.
2.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS
2.1 In order to download and/or use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites you must first accept these Terms.
These Terms are accepted by you (a) when you click to accept or agree to the Terms; or (b) when you download and/or use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites.
We advise you to print a copy of these Terms for your records.
These Terms remain effective from the date of acceptance until terminated by you or Skype in accordance with paragraph 11.
2.2 You cannot accept these Terms if: (a) you are not lawfully entitled to use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites in the country in which you are located or reside or (b) if you are not of legal age to form a binding agreement with Skype.
2.3 In some countries the Products may be provided to you by Skype’s local partner.
If so, that local partner may ask you to accept its own terms of service (“local terms”).
If there is any inconsistency between those local terms and these Terms, then the local terms shall govern to the extent of that inconsistency.
3.
CHANGES TO THE TERMS
3.1 Skype may make changes to these Terms from time to time.
Skype will publish the changes at www.skype.com/go/tou.
Changes to the fair usage policies and/or Additional Terms will be posted on the applicable Skype Website.
The changes will be effective when published.
Please review the Terms on a regular basis.
You understand and agree that your express acceptance of the Terms or your use of the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites after the date of publication shall constitute your agreement to the updated Terms.
If you do not agree with the amended Terms, you may terminate your relationship with Skype in accordance with paragraph 11 below.
4.
LICENCE
4.1 Licence.
Subject to your compliance with these Terms, you are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-assignable, free of charge license to download and install the Software on a personal computer, mobile phone or other device; and personally use the Software through your individual Skype or Qik user account (as applicable) (“User Account”).
For the avoidance of doubt, (a) IT administrators working on behalf of a company may download and install the Skype Software onto personal computers or other devices used by personnel of such company; and (b) you are permitted to use the Software at a university or other educational institution, or at work.
Skype reserves all rights not expressly granted to you under these Terms.
4.2 Restrictions.
You may not and you agree not to:
(a) sub-license, sell, assign, rent, lease, export, import, distribute or transfer or otherwise grant rights to any third party in the Software;
(b) undertake, cause, permit or authorise the modification, creation of derivative works or improvements, translation, reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembling, decryption, emulation, hacking, discovery or attempted discovery of the source code or protocols of the Software or any part or features thereof (except to the extent permitted by law);
(c) remove, obscure or alter any copyright notices or other proprietary notices included in the Software;
(d) use the Software or cause the Software (or any part of it) to be used within or to provide commercial products or services to third parties.
The foregoing shall not preclude you using the Software for your own business communications, subject to paragraph 4.1 above;
(e) other than for the purposes of download and installation, use the Software except through your User Account.
4.3 Third-Party Technology.
If you are using Software pre-loaded on, embedded in, combined, distributed or used with or downloaded onto third party products, hardware, software applications, programs or devices (“Third-Party Technology”), you agree and acknowledge that: (a) you may be required to enter into a separate licence agreement with the relevant third party owner or licensor for the use of such Third-Party Technology; (b) some Products and/or functionality may not be accessible through the Third-Party Technology and (c) Skype cannot guarantee that the Software shall always be available on or in connection with such Third-Party Technology.
4.4 Third Party Notices.
The Software may include third party code that Skype, not the third party, licenses to you under this agreement.
Notices, if any, for the third party code are included for your information only.
Third party scripts, linked to, called or referenced from the Software, are licensed to you by the third parties that own such code, not by Skype.
5.
USE OF THE SOFTWARE AND PRODUCTS AND SKYPE WEBSITES
5.1 Equipment: In order to use the Software and the Products you will need an Internet broadband connection.
You are responsible for providing all equipment required to access the Internet or enable communications such as headsets, microphones and webcams.
5.2 Use of Your Equipment: The Internet Communications Software may use the processing capabilities, memory and bandwidth of the computer (or other applicable device) you are using, for the limited purpose of facilitating the communication and establishing the connection between Internet Communications Software users.
If your use of the Internet Communications Software is dependent upon the use of a processor and bandwidth owned or controlled by a third party, you acknowledge and agree that your licence to use the Internet Communications Software is subject to you obtaining consent from the relevant third party for such use.
You represent and warrant that by accepting these Terms, you have obtained such consent.
5.3 Updates to the Software: Skype may automatically check your version of the Skype Software.
You may be required to enter into an updated version of these Terms to be able to download or otherwise take advantage of any Updates.
Skype has no obligation to make available any Updates.
However, Skype may (a) require you to download and install Updates; or (b) download and install Updates from Skype automatically from time to time unless you have chosen (through your Skype client settings) not to receive automatic Updates.
Microsoft Corporation or its affiliates and subsidiaries may also automatically download updates to the Skype Software for Windows, if you have chosen to receive Microsoft Updates.
These updates are required to maintain software compatibility, provide security updates or bug fixes, or offer new features, functionality or versions.
You agree to receive such updates from Skype in order to continue using the Skype Software and you agree to accept such Updates subject to these Terms.
5.4 Suspension, technical improvement and maintenance: From time to time, Skype may need to perform maintenance on or upgrade the Software, Products or Skype Websites or the underlying infrastructure that enables you to use the Software, Products or Skype Websites.
This may require Skype to temporarily suspend or limit your use of some or all of the Software, Products or Skype Websites until such time as this maintenance and/or upgrade can be completed.
To the extent possible and unless an intervention is urgently required, Skype will publish the time and date of such suspension or limitation on the Skype Website in advance.
You will not be entitled to claim damages for such suspension or limitation of the use of any Software, Product or Skype Website.
5.5 No Access to Emergency Services: Neither the Products nor the Software are intended to support or carry emergency calls to any type of hospitals, law enforcement agencies, medical care unit or any other kind of services that connect a user to emergency services personnel or public safety answering points (“Emergency Services”).
There are important differences between traditional telephone services and the Products.
You acknowledge and agree that: (i) Skype is not required to offer access to Emergency Services under any applicable local and/or national rules, regulations or law; (ii) it is your responsibility to purchase, separately from the Products, traditional wireless (mobile) or fixed line telephone services that offer access to Emergency Services, and (iii) the Software and the Products are not a replacement for your primary telephone service.
Find out more about calling 112, the dedicated emergency number for the EU at www.skype.com/go/emergency.
5.6 Limited Emergency Calling (Internet Communications Software Only and Not Applicable to the Qik Software)
5.6.1 In a very limited number of countries, and for defined Internet Communications Software versions and platforms only, Skype will try to provide limited emergency calling as a stand-alone feature but can provide no commitment in this respect.
Click here for the listing of countries (“Enabled Countries”) and software versions and other platforms (“Enabled Versions”) that enable limited Skype emergency calling.
Skype emergency calling is not available for any other countries, versions or platforms.
You should keep traditional wireless (mobile) or fixed line telephone services available for your calls to Emergency Services and use Skype’s limited emergency calling only as an absolute last resort.
In particular, please also note that:
(i) power cut, battery failure or internet connection failure can lead to a Skype call failure, including your call to Emergency Services.
Additionally, any of the quality limitations set out in paragraph 5.9 below, may otherwise affect successful call connection.
(ii) where available, an emergency call made using the Internet Communications Software in an enabled country may not receive the same network priority as a call made using traditional wireless (mobile) or fixed line telephone services.
(iii) if your emergency call is connected, you will need to tell the Emergency Services operator that you speak to where you are physically located so that the correct emergency organisation can respond to your emergency and knows where to find you.
If you do not provide this information when prompted, you acknowledge that your emergency call may not be completed and you will not be able to gain access to your required Emergency Services using the Internet Communications Software.
Skype will have no liability for your failed emergency call in such circumstances.
(iv) other than for the Enabled Countries and Enabled Versions, Skype does not provide limited emergency calling in any country or for or in conjunction with any Products or using any platforms, devices, services or operating systems (including any products, platforms, devices, services or operating systems developed by third parties using Skype’s APIs, any of Skype’s software development kits or otherwise).
5.6.2 In Enabled Countries, you should configure the limited emergency calling functionality by setting your default location for emergency calling in the Call Settings page of your desktop Internet Communications Software (if you are using a 4.1 version for Windows (or later) or version 2.8 for Mac OS X (or later)).
It is your responsibility to ensure that this location information is correct and kept up-to-date if your physical address changes.
Skype does not support emergency calls in the majority of countries around the world.
Where limited emergency calling is supported Skype will not charge you to make an emergency call and you do not need to have a Skype Credit balance.
If however your country is not supported for limited emergency calling then you should not attempt to, and agree not to, make any emergency calls using your Internet Communications Software.
If, with your permission, another user uses your User Account, it is your responsibility to inform that user of the limited circumstances in which limited emergency calling is available.
5.7 Content of Communications: Skype is not the source of, does not verify or endorse and takes no responsibility for the content of communications made using the Software.
By using the Software, you agree that any content that you submit may be transmitted to the recipient of your communication.
The content of communications is entirely the responsibility of the person from whom such content originated.
You therefore may be exposed to content that is offensive, unlawful, harmful to minors, obscene, indecent or otherwise objectionable.
The content of communications may be protected by intellectual property rights, which are owned by third parties.
You are responsible for the content you choose to communicate and access using the Software.
In particular, you are responsible for ensuring that you do not submit material that is (i) copyrighted, protected by trade secret or otherwise subject to third party proprietary rights, including privacy and publicity rights, unless you are the owner of such rights or have permission from their rightful owner (ii) a falsehood or misrepresentation (iii) offensive, unlawful, harmful to minors, obscene, defamatory, libellous, threatening, pornographic, harassing, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive, or that encourages conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, gives rise to civil liability, violates any law, or is otherwise objectionable; (iv) an advertisement or solicitation of business; or (v) impersonating another person.
Skype reserves the right (but shall have no obligation) to review content for the purpose of enforcing these Terms.
Skype may in its sole discretion block, prevent delivery of or otherwise remove the content of communications as part of its effort to protect the Software, Products or its customers, or otherwise enforce these Terms.
Further, Skype may in its sole discretion remove such content and/or terminate these Terms and your User Account if you use any content that is in breach of these Terms.
5.8 Notice and Take-Down If Skype receives any notification that any material that you post, upload, edit, host, share and/or publish on the Skype Website or through the Software (excluding your private communications) (“User Submission”) is inappropriate, infringes any rights of any third party, or if Skype wishes to remove your User Submission for any reason whatsoever, Skype reserves the right to automatically remove such User Submission for any reason immediately or within such other timescales as may be decided from time to time by Skype in its sole discretion.
The User Submission shall be taken down without any admission as to liability and without prejudice to any rights, remedies or defenses, all of which are expressly reserved.
You acknowledge and agree that Skype is under no obligation to put back such User Submission at any time.
If User Submissions infringe, or if you believe that User Submissions infringe any of your rights (including intellectual property rights) or are unlawful, please contact us immediately by following our notice and takedown procedure.
Click here to view the Notice and Takedown Procedure.
Skype reserves the right to ask for verification of your identity and to seek further information to verify your complaint.
You agree that you are solely responsible for the consequences resulting from your complaint (including but not limited to removal or blocking of the User Submission) and you acknowledge and agree that any complaint may be used in court proceedings.
Any false, misleading or inaccurate information provided by you may result in civil and criminal liability.
5.9 Quality: Skype cannot guarantee that the Software, Products or Skype Websites will always function without disruptions, delay or errors.
A number of factors may impact the quality of your communications and use of the Software, Products (depending on the Products used) or Skype Websites, and may result in the failure of your communications including but not limited to: your local network, firewall, your internet service provider, the public internet, the public switched telephone network and your power supply.
Skype takes no responsibility for any disruption, interruption or delay caused by any failure of or inadequacy in any of these items or any other items over which we have no control.
5.10 Changes to Products: Skype is constantly improving the Software and Products and may also need to change technical features from time to time in order to comply with applicable regulations.
Accordingly, you acknowledge and agree that the Products and functionality of the Software may vary from time to time.
Technical requirements for use of Products and Software and feature descriptions are available on the Skype Website.
If you do not agree with any changes to Software and Products you may terminate your relationship with Skype in accordance with paragraph 11.
You may need to upgrade to a new version in order to enjoy the benefit of certain Products.
In addition, you acknowledge and agree that certain Products may be subject to usage limits or geographical restrictions, which may vary from time to time.
Please check the Skype Website for details of the most up-to-date usage restrictions that apply to the Products that you are using.
5.11 Unsolicited Ideas Skype does not consider or accept unsolicited proposals or ideas, including without limitation ideas for new products, technologies, promotions, product names, product feedback and product improvements (“Unsolicited Feedback”).
If you send any Unsolicited Feedback to Skype through the Skype Website or otherwise, you acknowledge and agree that Skype shall not be under any obligation of confidentiality with respect to the Unsolicited Feedback.
5.12 Reports Certain parts of the Skype Websites or the Software may ask for written suggestions or problem reports such as using our contact form or problem report form (“Reports”).
Please read carefully any specific terms, which govern those Reports.
The Reports shall be deemed the property of Skype.
Skype shall exclusively own all now known or hereafter existing rights to the Reports throughout the universe in perpetuity and shall be entitled to use the Reports for any purpose whatsoever, commercial or otherwise, without compensation to the provider of the Reports.
Any Reports you send to Skype will not be treated as confidential and Skype shall not be liable for any disclosure of the Reports.
5.13 Linking You may link to the Skype Website from another website owned by you, provided you do so in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it.
You must not establish a link in such a way as to suggest any form of association, approval or endorsement by Skype where none exists.
You may not frame the Site on any other site.
Skype provides a Qik branded embeddable flash player feature which you may incorporate into your own personal, non-commercial website for use in accessing the materials on the Qik branded Skype Website.
Skype may revoke the permission to link to the Skype Websites at any time at its sole discretion and will notify you in this respect.
6.
YOUR OBLIGATIONS
6.1 User Account.
Prior to your first use of the Skype Software and your first use of the Qik Software, you will be asked to create a User Account and choose a user ID and password.
We recommend that you choose a password that is hard to guess and consists of letters, numbers and symbols.
You may only use the Software through your User Account.
You are solely responsible and liable for all activities conducted through your User Account.
To prevent unauthorised use, you shall keep your password confidential and shall not share it with any third party or use it to access third party websites or services.
If you suspect that someone else knows your password, then you shall immediately change it in order to protect the security of your User Account.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not respond to any unsolicited requests for credit card details, passwords or other data.
Skype takes no responsibility for your failure to comply with the obligations in this paragraph 6.1.
6.2 Lawful Use: You must use the Software, Products and Skype Websites in accordance with the laws of where you are located.
In some countries there are restrictions on the download and use of the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are legally allowed to use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites where you are located.
6.3 Prohibited Use: You may not:
(a) intercept or monitor, damage or modify any communication which is not intended for you;
(b) use any type of spider, virus, worm, trojan-horse, time bomb or any other codes or instructions that are designed to distort, delete, damage, emulate or disassemble the Software, Products, Skype Websites, communication or protocols;
(c) send unsolicited communications (also referred to as “SPAM”, “SPIM” or “SPIT”) or any communication not permitted by applicable law or use the Software, Products or Skype Websites for the purposes of phishing or pharming or impersonating or misrepresenting affiliation with another person or entity;
(d) expose any third party to material which is offensive, harmful to minors, indecent or otherwise objectionable in any way;
(e) use the Software, Products or Skype Websites to cause or intend to cause embarrassment or distress to, or to threaten, harass or invade the privacy of, any third party; or
(f) use (including as part of your User ID and/or profile picture) any material or content that is subject to any third party proprietary rights, unless you have a licence or permission from the owner of such rights; or
(g) collect or harvest any personally identifiable information, including account names, from the Software, Products or Skype Websites;
(h) impact or attempt to impact the availability of the Software, Products or Skype Websites for example, with a denial of service (DOS) or distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack;
(i) use or launch any automated system, including without limitation, robots, spiders or offline readers that access the Software, Products or Skype Websites.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, you agree that Skype grants to the operators of public search engines permission to use spiders to copy materials from the Skype Website for the sole purpose of creating publicly available searchable indices of the materials, but not caches or archives of such materials.
Skype reserves the right to revoke these exceptions at any time.
6.4 User Submissions Please exercise respect when participating in any features of the Skype Websites or Software such as Forums, Blogs, email functions, video hosting, sharing and/or publishing or any other function on the Skype Websites or of the Skype Software which allows you to post, upload, edit, host, share and/or publish content.
You acknowledge and agree that: (i) by using the Skype Websites and/or Software you may be exposed to content that you may find offensive or indecent and you do so at your own risk; (ii) you are solely responsible for, and Skype has no responsibility to you or any third party for any User Submissions that you create, submit, post or publish on the Skype Websites or through the Software; (iii) Skype does not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to User Submissions, whether or not they are published (iv) Skype is not responsible for any User Submissions that you may have access to through your use of the Skype Websites or Software and all User Submissions are the responsibility of the person from whom such User Submissions originated.
Skype does not endorse any User Submissions or any opinion, recommendation, or advice expressed therein, and expressly disclaims any and all liability in connection with User Submissions.
In connection with your User Submissions, you represent and warrant that you
(i) own or have the necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions to use and authorise Skype to use all copyrights, trade marks, trade secrets, patents and other intellectual property or proprietary rights in and to any and all User Submissions in accordance with these Terms; and
(ii) you have the written consent, release and /or permission of each and every identifiable individual person in the User Submission to use the name and/or likeness of each and every such individual in the User Submission, to enable inclusion and use thereof in the manner contemplated by these Terms.
You shall not copy, post or use text, photos, pictures, music, sounds, images or any other content from any third party or source (“Third Party Content”) without specific permission from the owner.
Such Third Party Content may be protected by intellectual property laws and the owners of the intellectual property rights in such content may object to its use.
You must not use any Third Party Content without first obtaining the permission of the owner of the intellectual property rights in such content.
Notwithstanding any rights or obligations governed by the Additional Terms (as defined below) if, at any time you choose to upload or post User Submissions to the Skype Websites or through the Software (excluding Reports and excluding the content of your communications) you automatically grant Skype a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, perpetual, sub-licensable and transferable license of all rights to use, edit, modify, include, incorporate, adapt, record, publicly perform, display, transmit and reproduce the User Submissions including, without limitation, all trade marks associated therewith, in connection with the Skype Websites and Skype’s Software and Products including for the purpose of promoting or redistributing part or all of the Skype Websites and/or the Software or Products, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised.
You also hereby grant each user of the Skype Website and/or Skype’s Software or Products a non-exclusive license to access your User Submission through the Skype Website and/or Software or Products and to use, copy, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, perform and transmit such User Submissions solely as permitted through the functionality of the Skype Websites and/or Software or Products and pursuant to these Terms of Use.
In addition, you waive any so-called “moral rights” in and to the User Submissions, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
You may not submit or publish through the Skype Website or Software any User Submissions that are libelous, defamatory, pornographic, harassing, hateful, an invasion of privacy, obscene, abusive, illegal, racist, offensive, harmful to a minor or an infringement of any intellectual property rights or a trade secret of a third party, or would otherwise violate the rights of any third party or give rise to civil or criminal liability.
Furthermore, you may not submit or publish User Submissions that contain falsehoods or misrepresentations, solicit funds or services, contain advertising, promotional materials, junk mail, spam, chain letters or any form of solicitation, impersonate others or include programs that contain viruses or any other programs designed to impair the functionality of any computer.
You agree not to solicit, for commercial purposes, any users of the Skype Website or Software with respect to their User Submissions.
You agree not to circumvent, disable or otherwise interfere with the security related features of the Skype Website or Software or features that prevent or restrict the use of any content thereof.
6.5 Your Information: From time to time, Skype may request information from you for the purpose of supplying the Software or Products to you.
You shall ensure that any such information is complete, up-to-date and accurate.
6.6 No Reselling.
The Software and Products are for your individual use.
You shall not resell or commercialise the Software and/or Products to any third party.
6.7 Export Restrictions: The Software may be subject to international rules that govern the export of software.
You shall comply with all applicable international and national laws that apply to the Software as well as end-user, end-use, destination restrictions issued by national governments or similar bodies, and restrictions on embargoed nations.
In the US the Internet Communications Software is controlled under ECCN 5D992 of the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) under Encryption Registration Number (“ERN”) R100351 and thus may not be exported or re exported from the US to or downloaded by any person in any countries controlled for anti terrorism reasons under the EAR, which include Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria and Sudan.
Moreover, the Internet Communications Software may not be exported or re exported from the US to or downloaded by any person or entity subject to US sanctions regardless of location.
See www.bis.doc.gov/ComplianceAndEnforcement/ListsToCheck.htm and EAR Part 736.
Skype is making the Software available to you for download only on the condition that you certify that you are not such a person or entity and that the download is not otherwise in violation of US export control and sanctions regulations.
7.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
7.1 The Software, Products and Skype Websites contain proprietary and confidential information that is protected by intellectual property laws and treaties.
7.2 The content and compilation of content included on the Skype Websites, (excluding User Submissions) such as sounds, text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads and software, are the property of Skype, its affiliates or licensors and are protected by United States and international copyright laws.
Such copyright protected content cannot be reproduced without Skype’s express permission.
You may download and make personal, non-commercial use of User Submissions on www.qik.com that are displayed with a “download” or similar link.
Skype reserves all rights not expressly granted in the Skype Websites.
7.3 Skype and/or its licensors retain exclusive ownership of the Software, Products and Skype Websites and all intellectual property therein (whether or not registered and anywhere in the world).
You will not take any action to jeopardise, limit or interfere with Skype’s intellectual property rights in the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites.
7.4 “Skype”, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” logo are trademarks of Skype.
Skype has registered and filed applications to register its trademarks in many countries worldwide.
Skype’s trademarks and trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not Skype’s, in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among customers, or in any manner that disparages or discredits Skype.
All other trademarks not owned by Skype or any of its related companies that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners.
You are not permitted to and shall not register or use any trade name, trademark, logo, domain name or any other name or sign that incorporates any of Skype’s intellectual property (in whole or part) or that is confusingly similar thereto.
Please also see Skype’s Trademark Guidelines for further details on use of its marks.
8.
CHARGES
8.1 Calling phones and premium rate numbers with Skype Credit:
(i) Calling landlines and mobiles: The charges payable for calling phones (outside of a subscription) consist of a connection fee (charged once, per call) and a per-minute rate as set out on www.skype.com/go/allrates.
All calls will be disconnected and require a re-dial after a 4-hour duration and an additional connection fee will be charged on re-dial.
(ii) Premium rate numbers: The charges payable for calling premium rate numbers consist of a per-minute rate available at www.skype.com/go/rates-premium.
No connection fee is payable.
(iii) Skype may change the rates for calling phones and premium rate numbers at any time without notice to you by posting such change at www.skype.com/go/allrates.
The new rate will apply to your next purchase after the new rates have been published.
Please check the latest rates before you make your call.
If you do not accept the new rates, do not make your call.
(iv) The duration of a call shall be based on one-minute increments.
Fractions of minutes will be rounded up to the next minute.
The connection fee, where applicable, will be charged at the beginning of the call.
At the end of a call, fractional cent charges will be rounded up to the nearest whole cent, for example a total call price of €0.034 will be rounded up to €0.04.
During the call, charges incurred will be deducted automatically from the Skype Credit balance in your User Account.
8.2 Charges for other Paid For Products: The charges for other Paid For Products will be confirmed to you before you complete a purchase from Skype.
Skype may change the charges payable for the purchase of such Products at any time without any notice to you.
You can choose whether or not to accept the new charges prior to completing your next purchase of the applicable Product.
The new charges will apply to your next purchase after the new charges have been published.
8.3 Promotional Offers: From time to time, Skype may offer Paid-For Products for free for a trial period.
Skype reserves the right to charge you for such Products (at the normal rate) in the event that Skype determines (in its reasonable discretion) that you are abusing the terms of the offer, including if you are using any service, proxy or other devices or anonymous IP address that prevents us from locating you.
8.4 Tax: Skype may collect VAT or other indirect taxes at the appropriate rate (as per applicable tax rules) at the time of purchase of Skype Credit.
15% Luxembourg VAT generally applies if you are located in the EU and the Products are purchased and used in the EU.
8% Swiss VAT applies if you are located in Switzerland.
Other local taxes may apply in certain countries.
When you purchase a voucher or pre-paid card, depending on the country, 15% Luxembourg VAT, local VAT or other taxes may apply and may be deducted from the value of the voucher or prepaid card upon redemption.
You explicitly waive any right to VAT reimbursement from Skype if the amount of VAT ultimately payable by the latter to the tax authorities would for any reason be lower than the amount of VAT collected from you at the time of purchase.
Your Skype Credit balance is displayed exclusive of any such taxes.
The territories in the EU set out below are outside the scope of EU VAT under Council Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of VAT, as amended.
The Skype Website does not enable users in such territories to take advantage of this VAT exemption and we therefore do not provide the Products in such territories: Mount Athos, Canary Islands, French Overseas Departments, Aland Islands, Channel Islands, Heligoland Island, Büsingen / Buesingen Territory, Ceuta, Melilla, Livigno, Campione d'Italia and Italian Waters of Lake Lugano.
8.5 Third-Party Charges: Using the Software on mobile applications will use some of the data allowance available on the data package to which you have subscribed with your mobile network operator.
Out-of-country usage may lead to significantly higher costs than regular usage, and you are solely responsible for keeping yourself informed and paying for possible roaming and other applicable charges levied by your mobile network operator.
9.
PAYMENT
9.1 Skype Credit.
You can pay for select Paid-For Products using Skype Credit.
You can purchase Skype Credit using any payment method made available to you by Skype from time to time.
The Skype Credit that you purchase will be credited to your User Account at the time of purchase (or if you are using a Skype Credit voucher, at the time you redeem that voucher).
9.2 Inactive Skype Credit.
If you do not use your Skype Credit for a period of 180 days, (including Skype Credit that has been allocated to you by a Skype Manager administrator) Skype will place your Skype Credit on inactive status.
You can reactivate the Skype Credit by following the reactivation link in My Account at https://secure.skype.com/account/credit-reactivate.
Reactivated Skype Credit is not refundable.
If you are located in Japan and you buy Skype Credit from the Skype Website, this paragraph does not apply to you and your Skype Credit shall expire 6 months from the date of purchase.
You are not permitted to use any Skype Credit on or after the date of its expiry.
9.3 Other payment methods.
Skype does not guarantee that you will be able to use your Skype Credit balance to purchase all Products.
Where Skype Credit cannot be used to pay for a Product, Skype will make another payment method available to you.
Skype reserves the right to remove or amend the available payment methods at its sole discretion.
9.4 Recurring Payments.
Where you purchase Products on a subscription basis (monthly, every 3 months or annually (as applicable)), you acknowledge and agree that this is a recurring payment and payments shall be made to Skype by the method you have chosen at the recurring intervals chosen by you, until the subscription for that Product is terminated by you or by Skype.
9.5 Auto-Recharge.
(a) The Auto-Recharge feature will be automatically enabled when you buy Skype Credit, unless you untick the appropriate box.
Your Skype Credit balance will be recharged with the same amount and by the same payment method chosen when you first sign up for Auto-Recharge, unless you subsequently change the amount by accessing your User Account.
For example, if you purchase 10 Euros of Skype Credit with your credit card, the recharge amount charged to your credit card will also be 10 Euros of Skype Credit.
In future the same amount will be charged to your credit card every time your Skype account balance goes below the threshold set by Skype from time to time.
If you do not want to enable Auto-Recharge, please untick the box.
(b) If you purchased a subscription with a payment method other than credit card, PayPal or Moneybookers (Skrill), and you have enabled Auto-Recharge, your Skype Credit balance will be recharged with the amount necessary to purchase your next recurring subscription.
(c) You can disable Auto-Recharge at any time by accessing your User Account.
10.
REFUND POLICY
10.1 When you purchase Paid-For-Products directly from Skype you will be entitled to a cancellation period of fifteen (15) days (a “Cooling-Off Period”) unless you have made use of the Paid-For-Products in any way, in which case the Cooling-Off Period will be extinguished and your purchase cannot be cancelled or refunded.
10.2 Outside of the Cooling-Off Period, only subscriptions are refundable unless used or expired.
10.3 Expenditure of Skype Credit, allocation of a Skype Number, or use of any aspect of a subscription amounts to “use” of a Paid-For-Product.
You hereby expressly agree that Skype Numbers may be allocated before the end of the Cooling-Off Period.
10.4 The Cooling-Off Period and refunds do not apply to Paid-For-Products that are (i) purchased via a third party partner of Skype (please contact the partner directly, who may decide in its sole discretion whether or not to pay a refund), (ii) not directly acquired online from Skype (e.g. vouchers or pre-paid cards) (iii) paid for in cash using third party payment methods (such as a cash payment wallet) and (iv) paid for and allocated to your Skype Account by a Skype Manager administrator.
They also do not apply to Membership of Skype Developer.
10.5 If you believe that Skype has charged you in error, you must contact Skype within 90 days of such charge.
No refunds will be given for any charges more than 90 days old.
10.6 Skype reserves the right to refuse a refund request if it reasonably believes (i) that you are trying to unfairly exploit this refund policy, for example, by making repetitive refund requests in respect of the same Product; (ii) if you are in breach of these Terms or (iii) if Skype reasonably suspects that you are using our Products or Software fraudulently or that your User Account is being used by a third party fraudulently.
10.7 This refund policy does not affect your statutory rights.
11.
ENDING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SKYPE
11.1 You may terminate your relationship with Skype at any time and without recourse to the courts by requesting closure of your User Account, ceasing to use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites and cancelling any recurring payments.
11.2 Skype may terminate its relationship with you, or may terminate or suspend your use of the Software, User Account(s), Products or Skype Websites at any time and without recourse to the courts:
(a) if you are in breach of these Terms;
(b) if Skype reasonably suspects that you are using the Software, the Products and/or Skype Websites to break the law or infringe third party rights;
(c) if Skype reasonably suspects that you are trying to unfairly exploit or misuse the refund policy, or any of our policies.
(d) if Skype reasonably suspects that you are using our Products, Software and/or Skype Websites fraudulently or that your User Account is being used by a third party fraudulently;
(e) if you have purchased Skype Credit from an unauthorised reseller;
(f) in respect of a particular Product, on thirty (30) days notice if Skype decides to cease offering that Product;
(g) immediately, if required due to a change in laws/regulation by a regulator or authority with a lawful mandate, or by any of Skype’s partners;
(h) on thirty (30) days notice if Skype decides to cease offering the Software to users in your jurisdiction generally.
11.3 Skype shall effect such termination by preventing your access to your User Account, the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites (as applicable).
We reserve the right to cancel User Accounts that have been inactive for more than one (1) year.
11.4 Consequences of Termination: Upon termination of your relationship with Skype: (a) all licenses and rights to use the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites shall immediately terminate; (b) you will immediately cease any and all use of the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites; and (c) you will immediately remove the Software from all hard drives, networks and other storage media and destroy all copies of the Software in your possession or under your control.
12.
EXCLUSION OF WARRANTIES, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
12.1 For the purposes of this paragraph 12, "Skype" includes its subsidiary companies and affiliated legal entities and all their directors, officers, agents, licensors and employees.
12.2 No Warranties: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW: THE SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS AND SKYPE WEBSITES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND USED AT YOUR SOLE RISK WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER; SKYPE DOES NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTIES, CLAIMS OR REPRESENTATIONS AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL SUCH WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR USE FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
SKYPE FURTHER DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE, ACCESSIBLE, UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, ACCURATE, COMPLETE AND ERROR-FREE OR WILL OPERATE WITHOUT PACKET LOSS, NOR DOES SKYPE WARRANT ANY CONNECTION TO OR TRANSMISSION FROM THE INTERNET, OR ANY QUALITY OF CALLS MADE THROUGH THE SOFTWARE.
12.3 Nothing in these Terms shall exclude or restrict Skype's liability for (a) death or personal injury, (b) loss resulting from Skype's wilful default or gross negligence, (c) fraud or deliberate misrepresentation, or (d) any liability which cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law.
12.4 No Liability: YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT SKYPE WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES HAS BEEN NOTIFIED TO SKYPE, IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF SKYPE WEBSITES, OR THE INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE OR OTHER SOFTWARE THAT IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE.
YOUR ONLY RIGHT OR REMEDY WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROBLEMS OR DISSATISFACTION WITH SUCH SOFTWARE AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES IS TO IMMEDIATELY DEINSTALL SUCH SOFTWARE AND CEASE USE OF SUCH SOFTWARE AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES.
12.5 Limitation of Liability: Subject to paragraphs 12.3 and 12.4 above, Skype shall not be liable to you, whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or any other theory of liability, and whether or not the possibility of such damages or losses has been notified to Skype, for:
(a) any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages; or
(b) any loss of income, business, actual or anticipated profits, opportunity, goodwill or reputation (whether direct or indirect); or
(c) any damage to or corruption of data (whether direct or indirect);
(d) any claim, damage or loss (whether direct or indirect ) arising from or relating to:
(i) your inability to use the Software to contact Emergency Services;
(ii) your failure to make additional arrangements to access Emergency Services in accordance with paragraph 5.5 above;
(iii)the service limitations set out in paragraph 5.6;
(iv)your failure to provide accurate physical location information to an Emergency Services operative; or
(v)conduct of third party Emergency Services operatives and calling centres to which you may be connected.
(e) any claim, damage or loss (whether direct or indirect) arising from or relating to:
(i) any product or service provided by a third party under their own terms of service, including without limitation, Skype WiFi;
(ii) any Third Party Technology;
(iii) any third party website.
12.6 Subject to paragraphs 12.3 - 12.5 above, Skype’s total liability to you under or in connection with these Terms (whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or any other theory of liability)) SHALL NOT EXCEED IN AGGREGATE THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE PRODUCTS IN THE 12 MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE RELEVANT CLAIM, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF FIVE THOUSAND EUROS IN ALL CASES.
12.7 If any third party brings a claim against Skype in connection with, or arising out of (i) your breach of these Terms; (ii) your breach of any applicable law of regulation; (iii) your infringement or violation of the rights of any third parties (including intellectual property rights); (iv) your User Submissions or (v) your complaint in relation to any User Submission, you will indemnify and hold Skype harmless from and against all damages, liability, loss, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and costs) related to such claim.
13.
THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
13.1 Third parties may offer products or services via the Software and/or Skype Websites, including games, applications, images, ring tones, or avatars.
Whilst Skype takes no responsibility for such products or services, if you encounter any problems with payment for or download, use of installation of such products or services, Skype will use commercially reasonable endeavours to assist or resolve the problems.
The third party products or services may be subject to the third party provider’s own terms and privacy policy that you may have to accept upon download or installation.
You should review such terms before making any purchase or using any third party product or service and Skype shall not be responsible for your failure to do so.
13.2 You acknowledge and agree that any third-party product information and pricing that is shown on the Skype Websites regarding third-party products and services is given to Skype by the applicable third-party merchant (“Merchant”).
The Merchant has the ability to change its pricing or terminate its product availability at anytime.
Skype is not involved in any transactions between you and any Merchant whose products and/or services are listed on the Skype Websites.
Skype does not control, is not responsible for and does not guarantee: (i) the pricing, quality, performance, availability or terms and conditions of purchase of products or services provided by the Merchant; (ii) any payment transactions, delivery, returns or after sales activities related to the products or services purchased on the Merchants’ websites; (iii) the availability of the Merchant’s websites; (iv) the completeness, truth or accuracy of any advertising or other materials on, or available from, the Merchants’ websites, nor any listing or other content about such products and services displayed on the Skype Websites; (v) links to the Merchants’ websites that are featured on the Skype Websites.
Any questions, complaints, or claims related to any product or service provided by a Merchant should be directed to the applicable Merchant.
13.3 The Software and Skype Websites may include hyperlinks to other third party websites.
Skype is not responsible for such third party websites or the availability of such websites and does not endorse any content or material on such third party websites.
Your use of each of these third party websites is subject to the terms and conditions posted on the applicable website.
14.
ADDITIONAL TERMS
14.1 The Skype Etiquette provides guidelines on how to use Skype and how to treat the other members of Skype’s community properly and respectfully.
Please read these guidelines carefully which form part of the Terms.
14.2 If you want to use the Internet Communications Software in connection with any Broadcast, you must comply with the Broadcast TOS at http://www.skype.com/legal/broadcast
14.3 Software Development Kits and APIs.
Software development kits provided through Skype Developer on the Skype Website (including “SkypeKit”) and the use of any application program interface (“API”) exposed or made available by Skype are subject to their own licensing terms in which case such licensing terms will govern your use of that software.
If you use any such software development kit or API (as applicable) you agree that you have read and will comply with the applicable licensing terms, which are available on http://developer.skype.com/.
14.4 Qik Free and Open Source Software Notice is incorporated herein by reference.
15.
YOUR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND YOUR PRIVACY
Skype is committed to respecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information.
We will process your personal information, the traffic data and the content of your communication(s) in accordance with our Privacy Policy: http://www.skype.com/go/privacy.
16.
FOR GOVERNMENT USERS ONLY
The Software and Documentation are “commercial computer software” and “commercial computer software documentation,” respectively, as such terms are used in United States Federal Acquisition Regulations paragraph 12.212.
Any use, duplication or disclosure of the Software or the Documentation by or on behalf of the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in this Agreement.
17.
HOW TO CONTACT SKYPE
17.1 To contact Skype in relation to the Skype Software or “Skype” branded Products, please submit a support request to support.skype.com.
17.2 To contact Skype in relation to the Qik Software or “Qik” branded Products, please submit a support request to support.qik.com.
17.3 If you contact Skype by any means other than as set out in paragraphs 17.1 or 17.2, your request may not be acknowledged.
18.
MISCELLANEOUS
18.1 You agree to the use of electronic communication in order to enter into contracts, place orders, and create other records and to the electronic delivery of notices, policies and changes thereto and records of transactions with Skype.
18.2 For your convenience, Skype may provide you with a translation of the English language version of these Terms.
In the event of any inconsistency between a non-English version of these Terms and the English version, the English version shall govern your relationship with Skype.
18.3 These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Skype with respect to your use of the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites and replace any prior agreements between you and Skype with respect to the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites.
18.4 If any provision of these Terms (or part of it), is found by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, then such provision (or part of it) shall be removed from the Terms without affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder of the Terms.
Paragraph 20.3(i) says what happens if parts of paragraph 20.3 (arbitration and class action waiver) are found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable.
Paragraph 20.3(i) prevails over this paragraph if inconsistent with it.
18.5 The failure by Skype to exercise, or delay in exercising, a legal right or remedy provided by these Terms or by law shall not constitute a waiver of Skype’s right or remedy.
If Skype waives a breach of these Terms, this shall not operate as a waiver of a subsequent breach of the Terms.
18.6 You may not assign these Terms or any rights or obligations contained in them.
Skype may, without prior notice, assign these Terms or any rights or obligations contained in them to any third party.
18.7 This paragraph 18, along with paragraphs, 4.2, 12, 20.3 and any other provisions, which are expressed or clearly intended to survive or operate in the event of termination, shall survive termination of the Terms.
18.8 You acknowledge and agree that if Skype is unable to provide the Software, Products and/or Skype Websites as a result of a force majeure event, Skype will not be in breach of any of its obligations towards you under these Terms.
A force majeure event means any event beyond the control of Skype.
18.9 These Terms other than paragraph 20.3 shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Luxembourg and shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the district of Luxembourg.
Paragraph 20.3 is governed by the United States Federal Arbitration Act.
18.10 AVC/H.264 NOTICE: If the Software is used to make video calls (i) between a personal computer and a device that is not a personal computer or (ii) between devices that are not personal computers, the AVC/H.264 codec may be used to facilitate video functionality in which case the following notice applies: THE AVC VIDEO FUNCTIONALITY IN THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF A CONSUMER TO (i) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AVC STANDARD (“AVC VIDEO”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE AVC VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE AVC VIDEO.
NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C. SEE www.mpegla.com.
19.
PRODUCT SPECIFIC TERMS
19.1 Skype Numbers (previously known as “Online Numbers”) and Skype To Go numbers
(a) Availability and use.
Where we provide you with a Skype Number or Skype To Go number, you agree that:
(i) you do not own the number or have a right to retain that number forever;
(ii) the number provided to you is subject to applicable numbering rules and regulatory practices;
(iii) you will comply on an ongoing basis with any specific number allocation requirements that we make you aware of, or any reasonable instructions that Skype or Skype’s partners may give to you with regard to the use of the numbers and the Products;
(iv) you will not transfer or attempt to transfer your number to any third party.
In particular, you are responsible for compliance with any requirements related to residency and or location; and
(v) you will supply accurate, complete and up-to-date information to us where we request it and inform us where such information changes.
Skype reserves the right to change the terms related to Skype Numbers and/or Skype To Go numbers, including without limitation to impose or amend any residency requirements and/or require the provision of further user information for continued access to such numbers.
In certain countries, a number may be made available to you by a Skype partner rather than Skype, and you may need to enter into a separate agreement with such partner.
(b) Other changes to numbers.
If Skype needs to withdraw or change the number that has been made available to you, Skype will use commercially reasonable endeavours to notify you by e-mail, stating the effective date of the change and where possible, your new number.
If you do not wish to accept this new number, you are entitled to terminate your number.
19.2 User Account on Skype Manager
(a) You are not permitted to belong to more than one Skype Manager at the same time.
(b) Any Skype Number purchased before 21 July 2009 and allocated to you by a Skype Manager administrator shall be taken back by the administrator of the Skype Manager, if you leave the Skype Manager account for any reason.
The right to use the number and the cancellation of such right rest with the Skype Manager administrator at his/her sole discretion and not you.
(c) Personal and traffic data – Members.
As a member of a Skype Manager account you acknowledge and agree that the administrator of the Skype Manager may, if you agree, view detailed information about the activity on your User Account including the time, date, duration and destination number of calls and SMS made and details of your purchases and downloads.
You can withdraw your agreement at any time by changing the settings on your User Account.
If you provide personal data including your name and job title to be included on the Skype Manager directory, you acknowledge that other members of that Skype Manager may view such data.
19.3 Subscriptions
(a) Fair Usage Policy.
At Skype, we want all of our customers to get the best calling plans, known as ‘subscriptions’, at the lowest possible price.
This Fair Usage Policy ("FUP") is designed to prevent fraud and abuse of our subscriptions by a small number of users.
Subject to this FUP, Skype’s unlimited subscriptions allow unlimited calls to landlines in the applicable subscription countries (excluding special, premium, service and non-geographic numbers).
Unlimited calls to mobiles may also be included where stated at the time of purchase.
All calls will be disconnected and require a re-dial after a 2-hour duration.
Skype’s subscriptions are for individual use only (personal or business communications) in accordance with our Terms of Use and this FUP (“Legitimate Use”).
The following is a non-exhaustive list of practices that would not be considered Legitimate Use:
(i) Using subscriptions for telemarketing or call centre operations;
(ii) Re-selling subscription minutes;
(iii) Sharing subscriptions between users whether via a PBX, call centre, computer or any other means;
(iv) Calling numbers (whether singly, sequentially or automatically) to generate income for yourself or others as a result of merely placing the call, other than for your individual business communications (and subject to paragraph 4.1 of the Terms of Use); and
(v) Unusual calling patterns inconsistent with normal, individual subscription use, for example, regular calls of short duration or calls to multiple numbers in a short period of time.
Other practices may be relevant in determining Legitimate Use and Skype reserves the right to take any unlawful, prohibited, abnormal or unusual activity into account in making its determination.
Skype may at its option, terminate its relationship with you, or may suspend your subscription immediately if it determines you are using your subscription contrary to this FUP or Skype’s Terms of Use.
Where reasonable, Skype will provide you with notice of improper usage before suspension or termination of your subscription and, if appropriate, Skype may offer you an alternative subscription.
(b) Skype reserves the right to withdraw or change the subscriptions at any time.
If Skype changes the Products included in your subscription, Skype will notify you by email stating the changes and their effective date.
If you do not wish to accept these changes, you are entitled to terminate your subscription, with effect from the date on which the changes are due to take effect.
(c) The “Unlimited World Extra” subscription has a minimum fixed term of 2 years from the date of purchase.
You are not permitted to terminate it before the expiry of the 2-year minimum term except in case of breach by Skype of the Terms.
This subscription is billed monthly as a recurring payment.
19.4 Skype WiFi
Skype WiFi is provided by one of Skype’s WiFi partners.
Your use of Skype WiFi is subject to that partner’s terms of service.
Before you start a Skype WiFi session at a specific WiFi hotspot, you will be notified of the identity of the WiFi provider and their terms of service.
You will have to read their terms of service, which you agree to be subject to by proceeding with the Skype WiFi session.
You can pay for Skype WiFi using your Skype Credit balance, and your use of Skype Credit is subject to these Terms of Service.
19.5 SMS
Each SMS message has a limit of 160 characters.
If you type a longer message it will be broken down into several SMS messages and you will be charged for each message sent.
If you send SMS messages to more than one person you will be charged for each SMS sent to each recipient.
If Skype cannot (for whatever reason) send your SMS, Skype will continue to try and send the message for up to 24 hours after which time the SMS charge will be refunded to your Skype Credit balance automatically if delivery is unsuccessful.
19.6 Group Video Calling
(a) A fair usage policy applies at www.skype.com/go/terms.gvc.fairusage and is incorporated herein by reference.
Skype reserves the right to change the fair usage policy at any time.
Changes shall become effective when published on the Skype Website.
Your continued use of a Skype Premium Subscription after publication on the Skype Website shall constitute your acceptance to be bound by the terms and conditions of the revised fair usage policy.
(b) Number of Participants.
The number of permitted participants on a group video call varies from 3 to a maximum of 10, subject to system requirements.
You can find more details at www.skype.com/go/skypepremium.
(c) Audio Conversion.
If a Skype Premium Subscription or Day Pass expires during a group video call, or it has exceeded the fair usage limit, or the owner of the Skype Premium Subscription leaves the call (and there is no other participant on the call who owns a Skype Premium Subscription), then the call will convert from video to audio.
(d) Software Versions.
If a participant of a group video call is not on a version of Internet Communications Software that supports group video calls, then the call will be an audio call only for that participant.
For details of the system requirements for group video calling, please see www.skype.com/go/skypepremium.requirements.
(e) Live chat.
Live chat customer support is available as part of the Skype Premium Subscription.
This support is available 24 hours a day, every day, and only in English.
19.7 Qik Premium Fair Usage Policy
Qik Premium is subject to a fair usage policy of 15GB of video storage per user per month and each video can be no more than 90 minutes in duration.
Once these limits have been reached you cannot upload any new videos in that month or continue recording beyond the 90-minute mark.
Skype reserves the right to change the fair usage policy at any time.
Changes shall become effective when published on the Skype Website.
Your continued use of Qik Premium after publication on the Skype Website shall constitute your acceptance to be bound by the terms and conditions of the revised fair usage policy.
19.8 Skype Video Messaging (“Video Messaging”)
If you are not a Skype Premium subscriber, the number of Video Messages you can send are limited and will be subject to an expiry date.
Fair Use Policy: This FUP is designed to prevent fraud and abuse of Video Messaging.
Video Messaging is for personal, individual and non-commercial use only, and to be in accordance with these Terms at all times (“Legitimate Use”).
Skype reserves the right to take any unlawful, prohibited, abnormal or unusual activity into account in making its determination as to whether your activity does not constitute Legitimate Use.
Skype may in its option, terminate its relationship with you, or suspend your account immediately if it determines you are using Video Messaging contrary to this FUP or these Terms.
20.
PAY BY MOBILE
20.1 This section applies if you select a third-party payment system that enables you to pay for Skype Credit and certain Paid for Products via your mobile phone bill where applicable (“Pay by Mobile”).
20.2 By selecting or using Pay by Mobile:
(a) You authorise your mobile phone carrier to charge appropriate fees directly to your mobile phone bill; and
(b) You represent that you are the person or entity responsible for the mobile phone account associated with the mobile number you provide when using Pay by Mobile, or are authorised by that person or entity to incur such charges.
20.3 BINDING ARBITRATION AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER FOR UNITED STATES ACCOUNTS.
If you select Pay by Mobile and your mobile phone account is registered with a mobile phone carrier in the USA or you reside in the USA, the following additional terms apply:
(a) Paragraph 20.3 applies to any dispute arising between you and either Skype or any third party including mobile phone carriers and Skype’s corporate affiliates (collectively, “Disputed Party” or “Disputed Parties”) relating to your use of Pay by Mobile, EXCEPT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A DISPUTE RELATING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OR VALIDITY OF YOUR, SKYPE’S, OR EITHER OF OUR LICENSORS’ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
Dispute, for purposes of paragraph 20.3, means any dispute, action, or other controversy whether in contract, warranty, tort, statute, regulation, ordinance, or any other legal or equitable basis.
Dispute will be given the broadest possible meaning allowable under law.
(b) In the event of a dispute, you must provide Skype or other Disputed Party with a Notice of Dispute, which is a written statement of the name, address and contact information of the party giving it, the facts giving rise to the dispute, and the relief requested.
You must send any Notice of Dispute to Skype or its corporate affiliate at ATTN: Legal Department, Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-7329.
and to any other Disputed Party at its principal place of business in the USA, marked ATTN: Legal Department.
The Disputed Party will send any Notice of Dispute to your address if it has it, or otherwise to your e-mail address on file.
You and the Disputed Party will attempt to resolve any dispute through informal negotiation within 60 days from the date the Notice of Dispute is sent, after which you or the Disputed Party may commence arbitration.
(c) You may also litigate any dispute in a small claims court in your county of residence, if the dispute meets all requirements to be heard in the small claims court.
You may litigate in a small claims court whether or not you negotiated informally first.
(d) Binding Arbitration.
If you and a Disputed Party do not resolve any dispute by informal negotiation or in small claims court, any other effort to resolve the dispute will be conducted exclusively by binding arbitration governed by the United States Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”).
You are giving up the right to litigate (or participate in as a party or class member) all disputes in court before a judge or jury.
Instead, all disputes will be resolved before a neutral arbitrator, whose decision will be final except for a limited right of appeal under the FAA.
Any court with jurisdiction over the parties may enforce the arbitrator’s award.
(e) Class Action Waiver.
Any proceedings to resolve or litigate any dispute in any forum will be conducted solely on an individual basis.
Neither you nor a Disputed Party will seek to have any dispute heard as a class action, private attorney general action, or in any other proceeding in which either party acts or proposes to act in a representative capacity.
No arbitration or proceeding will be combined with another without the prior written consent of all parties to all affected arbitrations or proceedings.
(f) Any arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules.
If you are an individual and use the Software or Products for personal or household use, or if the value of the dispute is $75,000 USD or less whether or not you are an individual or how you use them, its Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes will also apply.
For more information, see adr.org or call +1-800-778-7879.
In a dispute involving $75,000 USD or less, Skype will promptly reimburse your filing fees and pay the AAA’s and arbitrator’s fees.
You and Skype agree to the terms governing procedures, fees and incentives at go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=275219.
 To commence arbitration, submit the form available at go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=275627 to the AAA.
You agree to commence arbitration only in your county of residence, in Santa Clara County, California, or another Disputed Party’s principal place of business in the USA.
Skype and other Disputed Parties agree to commence arbitration only in your county of residence.
(g) To the extent permitted by law, any claim or dispute relating to your use of Pay by Mobile must be filed within one year in small claims court (paragraph 20.3(c)) or in arbitration (paragraph 20.3(d)).
The one-year period begins when the claim or dispute first could be filed.
If such a claim or dispute is not filed within one year, it is permanently barred.
(h) Rejecting Future Arbitration Changes.
You may reject any change Skype makes to paragraph 20.3 (other than address changes) by sending us notice within 30 days of the change by U.S. Mail to the address in paragraph 20.3(b).
If you do, the most recent version of paragraph 20.3 before the change you rejected will apply.
(i) If the class action waiver in paragraph 20.3(e) is found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable as to all or some parts of a dispute, then paragraph 20.3 will not apply to those parts.
Instead, those parts will be severed and proceed in a court of law, with the remaining parts proceeding in arbitration.
If any other provision of paragraph 20.3 is found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be severed with the remainder of paragraph 20.3 remaining in full force and effect.
YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS AND UNDERSTAND THE RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN.
BY CLICKING ON THE ACCEPT BUTTON AND/OR CONTINUING TO INSTALL THE SOFTWARE OR USE THE SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS AND/OR SKYPE WEBSITES, YOU EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND GRANT TO SKYPE THE RIGHTS SET FORTH HEREIN.
language: en