INTRODUCTION
The purpose of these Terms of Service is to create an agreement between Eric Francis, Planet Waves readers and Planet Waves contributors, so that you receive the benefits of a sustainable, dependable project.
Planet Waves, Inc. offers a unique set of services that are, in part, based on an oracle known as astrology. Astrology is a spiritual system that is among the deepest and oldest mysteries of existence. In the interests of ethics and integrity, we handle this oracle gently, and ask our readers to do the same. We cannot force interpretations or answers to the questions that we or our readers may seek. We cannot force time. Our Terms of Service are written in the spirit of treading lightly on the Earth and the cosmos.
COMMUNITY TRUST
While Planet Waves, Inc. is organized as a privately held corporation, organizationally, we function as a community trust, on the level of sharing ideas, information, contacts, resources and images. We recognize that we are serving an international readership in a time of global transition. Everyone involved in Planet Waves, whether as a reader or contributor on any level, participates in this exchange, and by their continued involvement agrees to honor the ethos of the community, as outlined in these Terms of Service, Editorial Policies and Business Policies.
CONTENT POLICY
Publications of Planet Waves, Inc. may be about any subject in the entire universe.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Unless other copyright credit is specifically given (such as to a writer, artist or wire service), all content on all Planet Waves pages and other publications is Copyright © 1996-2008 at Vashon, Washington, by Planet Waves, Inc. We reserve all rights, domestic and international. Other copyrights may also apply. For reprint information, please contact us at the phone numbers linked above.
EDITORIAL POLICIES
Editorial policies of Planet Waves, Inc., are set exclusively by the publisher and are reviewed as needed. The publisher is the final arbiter of all content that appears in any Planet Waves publication. Staff, contributors and contractors of Planet Waves, Inc., named by the publisher, agree to support and abide by the Editorial Policies.
1. Astrology is not the truth. As presented in the 21st century, it is a form of personally applicable fiction; or a symbolic and metaphoric framework through which to view ourselves and the world. Journalism is not the truth. It is a partial reporting of perception. What you read in Planet Waves is an interpretation, based on values, opinions, ideas, research and sometimes the misconceptions of the author(s). That being said, writers who contribute to Planet Waves strive for the highest possible level of accuracy and integrity.
2. Planet Waves does its best to maintain a flexible position in life and must be responsive to world conditions, personal considerations, astrology and other factors. The publishing schedule is subject to change at any time.
3. As the publisher, Eric Francis sets the schedule. Some issues may be late and the occasional issue will be canceled.
4. Eric reserves the right to have nothing to say at any time. There will be some news issues or astrological events that will receive no comment.
5. Notice will be sent when there is a substantial schedule change. This is a courtesy to both our readers and to Chelsea so she does not have to answer many queries.
6. Missed issues or canceled issues will be added to the term of your subscription on written request to support@planetwaves.net.
6A. If you are a subscriber, you are responsible for understanding how your email program works. To receive our mail in good condition, you will need to opt for accepting images from our addresses. If you use spam protection of any kind, and your junk filter or some other kind of device catches our mail, please learn how to let our mail through. Please add the following addresses to your "approved list"
These are list distribution addresses:
horoscopes@planetwavesweekly.com
horoscopes@planetwaves.org
These are company contact addresses:
chelsea@planetwaves.net
support@planetwaves.net
dreams@planetwaves.net
anatoly@planetwaves.net
7. Remember that because email is not perfect, the newsletter is published online at http://planetwavesweekly.com. This is accessible by keyword, which was issued at the time you subscribed, and is updated periodically. For a keyword reminder write to support@planetwaves.net.
8. There are occasional service outages on the Internet. We must live with these patiently and we ask you to do so as well. Please report any trouble you are experiencing with the Web page to one of our staff and we will respond as quickly as possible.
9. Material errors of fact will be corrected. If you are reporting a material error of fact, please cite sources that support your position and contact Eric Francis directly. We will then make a judgment and offer a correction if necessary.
10. Our definition of "professionalism" begins with quality work, and recognizes the fact that sensitive people are involved in the preparation of that work. We are not perfectionists or control freaks. We make every attempt to function in as efficient a manner as possible but have no illusions about the fact that the world is complicated. Good writing can take an unusual amount of work that nobody sees.
11. Essays that come with the weekly newsletter may be published on the free side of our Web pages. Monthly horoscopes are always free. Some weekly horoscopes will also be published or distributed free as promotions for our service. They will not be published online anywhere but Planet Waves.
12. We maintain that Planet Waves is an experiment and it is written and sent in that spirit. The format of the Friday essay portion is "chef's choice" and may be in non-fiction, fiction, journalistic, or poetry -- or written by another writer.
13. As pertains to photographs, all studio or location models engaged by the corporation for photographic sessions are 18 years of age or older at the time the photograph was taken.
14. We welcome your suggestions.
15. This Editorial Policy statement is subject to change without notice.
BUSINESS POLICIES, PERTAINING TO SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
A subscriber service is a published service for which a cash, check or credit transaction has taken place, and a duration of service has been promised.
a. Planet Waves Weekly's subscription services are guaranteed. If you choose to cancel, you are eligible for a refund of remaining issues. We may ask you why you are requesting a refund so we can factor that into our quality control and business plan. Your subscription covers -- at minimum -- a weekly mailing and Internet posting each Friday. All other postings should be considered "bonus materials."
b. If your subscription expires and you are still using your keyword to access our products, please renew. Thank you.
c. We turn no one away for lack of money. If anyone cannot afford Planet Waves Weekly, we give reduced rates if any reader requests one. We have many discount categories, including student, disabled, elderly, under or unemployed, and for countries with horrid exchange rates. This is our long-standing business policy.
d. Our premium subscription service (Planet Waves Weekly) supports all our work, including the free PlanetWaves.net Web page. Therefore, if you know people who are readers of PlanetWaves.net, we ask you to please encourage them to subscribe -- it makes all our work possible.
e. We encourage forwarding of the newsletter for noncommercial purposes, retaining copyright. We reserve the right to define "commercial" in this context and reserve the right to revoke this privilege at any time. The newsletter may not under any circumstances be posted to Web pages or printed without our prior written consent.
f. If you purchase a product or service that is later cancelled, you will be offered a full refund or upgrade -- your choice.
g. In the interest of protecting ourselves from outside influences and ugly content, we do not accept paid advertising. We have some affiliate programs that we have carefully checked for quality and integrity. We disclaim any responsibility for advertisements on the Web pages to which we link.
h. We request that all billing questions or issues go through our office first before contacting your bank or credit card. If you have a billing question please contact Chelsea at (877) 453-8265 from the U.S. or (206) 567-4455 from elsewhere. She is available from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. Eastern business hours.
Please contact us with any questions or comments regarding these Terms of Service. Thank you for your business, your support and your appreciation.
SERVICE MARK AND TRADEMARK NOTICE
Planet Waves, PlanetWaves.net, PlanetWaves.info, Planet Waves Weekly, Planet Waves Parenting, Eric Francis and EricFrancis.com are service marks and trademarks of Planet Waves, Inc. and Planet Waves Digital Media (now a DBA of Planet Waves, Inc.). We have used the "Planet Waves" trademark and service mark to represent astrological columns and publications continuously, and exclusively, since July 1998. Between July 1995 and July 1998, direct predecessor publications to Planet Waves were called "The Navigator," "Star-Navigator," and "Radio Navigator."
PRIVACY POLICY
We take every safeguard to ensure your privacy and security. All reader, customer and client data is strictly confidential. We do not share or sell our lists or internal data with anyone. Our Web pages only collect information necessary to process generic "hit" counts. We may use any of our own lists to offer or promote our own services.
These Terms of Service supercede and replace the June 12, 2004 Terms of Service (Version 1.0), the April 12, 2005 (Version 2.0), the Dec. 11, 2005 (Version 2.1), in their entirety effective immediately. Continued subscription, readership or contribution constitutes agreement to the Terms of Service. These Terms of Service pertain to all publications of Planet Waves, Inc. However, the Business Policies specifically relate to publications with a subscription fee, which are covered by the same Editorial Policy as all other publications. Terms of Service, Editorial Policy and Business Policy are set exclusively by Eric Francis Coppolino, the publisher and principal shareholder of Planet Waves, Inc., a Washington State corporation located on Vashon Island in King County.
Company contact information is here.
