Simple Bridge Solutions Terms and Conditions

TERMS OF SERVICE

Simple Bridge Solutions LLC (“SBS”) Version 1.0 – Effective Date: 11/25/2024

SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION

These Terms of Service (“Terms” or “Agreement”) govern your use of the services provided by Simple Bridge Solutions LLC (“SBS,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). By creating an account, purchasing services, or using our website or platform, you agree to be bound by this Agreement.

These Terms apply to all services offered by SBS, including but not limited to:

Web hosting services
Domain registration and management
Email hosting and related mailbox services
PlainConnect Active Directory environment services
Remote IT support
Website builder tools and infrastructure
Any additional services, software, or features provided by SBS

If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not use SBS services.

SECTION 2 – ACCEPTANCE OF AGREEMENT

By using SBS services, you acknowledge that:

You have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Agreement;
You are legally capable of entering into binding contracts in the United States;
You agree that these Terms apply to all SBS platforms, service portals, billing systems, tools, and communications;
SBS may update or modify these Terms at any time, with notice posted on our website or customer portal;
Your continued use of services after changes to the Terms constitutes acceptance of the updated version.

If you do not accept revised Terms, you must stop using SBS services and request account closure.

SECTION 3 – ELIGIBILITY & ACCOUNT REQUIREMENTS

To use SBS services:

You must be at least 18 years old or legally recognized as an adult in your state;
You must provide accurate account information during registration and keep it updated;
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of login credentials;
You are responsible for all activity conducted through your account;
Accounts registered using false identities or unauthorized payment methods may be suspended or terminated.

SBS reserves the right to:

Approve or reject any service order;
Pre-screen service use to prevent fraud or abuse;
Request identity verification at any time;
Suspend or terminate access if account misuse is detected.

SECTION 4 – SERVICES PROVIDED

SBS provides a range of managed technology services. By using any SBS service, you agree to the specific terms and conditions that apply to each category listed below.

4.1 Web Hosting Services

SBS provides shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and custom hosting environments. You are responsible for the content you host and must ensure compliance with U.S. law and SBS policies. Hosting resources are subject to fair use limits to prevent abuse and maintain service quality.

4.2 Domain Registration & Management

SBS registers domain names through third-party registrars. All domain services are subject to ICANN policies and the registry rules of each top-level domain (TLD). SBS does not guarantee domain availability. Domain purchases are non-refundable once registered.

4.3 Email Hosting Services

SBS provides hosted email services for personal or business use. You agree not to use our mail servers for spam, phishing, bulk unsolicited messages, or abuse (see Acceptable Use Policy). Mailbox limits and retention settings may apply based on your plan.

4.4 PlainConnect Active Directory Services

SBS provides a managed identity and authentication environment known as PlainConnect. Users agree:

PlainConnect may restrict access to websites and apps (walled-garden mode);
Account access may require device compliance or monitoring;
SBS may suspend access for account security concerns;
Use of PlainConnect is limited to approved use cases only.

4.5 Remote IT Support Services

Remote support may require temporary access to your device(s) via secure tools. By requesting support, you grant SBS permission to access your system only for the purpose of the requested assistance. Remote access sessions may be logged for security.

4.6 Website Builder Services

SBS may provide a no-code or low-code website builder as part of hosting plans. Website builder features vary and are provided on an as-available basis.

4.7 Third-Party Services

Some services rely on third-party vendors (registrars, payment processors, SSL providers, etc.). SBS is not responsible for outages, delays, or actions caused by third-party providers, but we will reasonably assist in resolving issues.

4.8 Service Modifications

SBS may:

Add, update, or remove features at any time;
Perform maintenance without notice (emergency maintenance may cause downtime);
Limit resource usage to maintain system stability.

SECTION 5 – ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)

To maintain service integrity, security, and legal compliance, all users must follow this Acceptable Use Policy. Violations may result in account suspension or termination without refund.

5.1 Prohibited Content

You may not host, transmit, store, or link to:

Illegal content under U.S. law
Child exploitation material of any kind
Copyrighted material without proper authorization
Malware, trojans, ransomware, or hacking tools
Content promoting hate, violence, terrorism, or discrimination
Doxxing, blackmail, or defamation content

5.2 Prohibited Activities

You may not use SBS services to:

Send spam, phishing, or fraudulent messages
Launch DDoS, brute-force, or network attacks
Mine cryptocurrency without written authorization
Run open proxies, VPN relay systems, Tor exit nodes
Attempt to bypass security or authentication systems
Interfere with service stability or abuse shared resources
Use services for unlawful surveillance or data theft
Distribute cracked software or stolen credentials

5.3 Email Abuse Policy

Email hosting must comply with anti-spam laws (CAN-SPAM Act). The following is prohibited:

Mass unsolicited email campaigns
Purchased or harvested mailing lists
Sending from unverified domains
Sending deceptive headers or From fields

Abuse reports may result in suspension.

5.4 Security Responsibilities

You agree to:

Maintain strong passwords and protect your account
Install security updates on hosted applications
Remove malware-infected code immediately
Report security breaches within 24 hours

5.5 Enforcement

SBS reserves the right to:

Suspend service immediately to protect network stability
Investigate abuse reports
Remove illegal or harmful content
Contact law enforcement if necessary

SECTION 6 – BILLING & PAYMENT TERMS

By purchasing services from Simple Bridge Solutions LLC (“SBS”), you agree to the following billing terms.

6.1 Service Fees

Fees for services are listed on the SBS website, service order form, or invoice.
All services are prepaid and billed in advance unless otherwise stated.
Fees may vary based on service type, resources, or custom configuration.

6.2 Billing Cycle

Services are billed monthly or annually depending on your selected plan.
Billing begins immediately upon service activation, not upon first use.
Annual plans are offered at discounted rates but are non-refundable once activated.

6.3 Payment Methods

SBS accepts:

Credit/debit cards
ACH/Bank transfer (if approved)
Third-party processors (e.g. PayPal, Stripe)
Business invoicing (for approved clients only)

6.4 Automatic Renewal

By default, all services are automatically renewed to prevent disruption.
You authorize SBS to charge your payment method unless you cancel.
You may disable auto-renew at any time via the billing portal.

6.5 Currency & Taxes

All fees are listed in U.S. Dollars (USD).
You are responsible for applicable taxes, fees, or surcharges as required by law.

6.6 Late Payments

Unpaid invoices are considered past due after the due date.
Accounts 15 days past due may be suspended until payment is received.
Accounts past due 30 days may be terminated and data deleted.
Reactivation may require a restoral fee of up to $35.

6.7 Chargebacks & Payment Disputes

Filing a payment dispute or chargeback without contacting SBS first is considered service abuse.
A $50 chargeback handling fee will be added per disputed transaction.
Accounts involved in chargebacks may be immediately terminated.

6.8 Pricing Changes

SBS reserves the right to update pricing.
Active subscriptions will be notified at least 30 days in advance of any price increase.
Continued use of services after notice constitutes acceptance.

SECTION 7 – REFUND POLICY

SBS offers limited refunds under specific conditions as outlined below.

7.1 General Refund Terms

SBS provides refunds only for UNUSED service time on eligible hosting services.
Refund requests must be submitted through the customer billing portal.
Setup fees, installation fees, and administrative fees are non-refundable.

7.2 Services Not Eligible for Refund

The following services cannot be refunded once activated or provisioned:

Service Type	Reason
Domain purchases or renewals	Domain registrations are final
SSL certificates	Issued per domain and non-revocable
Software licenses or addons	Non-returnable
One-time services (remote support, consulting, migrations)	Completed labor
Dedicated IP addresses	Assigned resources
Annual plans after 7 days	Discounted term commitment

SECTION 8 – SERVICE SUSPENSION & TERMINATION

SBS reserves the right to suspend or terminate services to protect system stability, comply with legal requirements, or prevent abuse.

8.1 Suspension of Services

SBS may temporarily suspend services under the following conditions:

Non-payment or overdue invoices exceeding 15 days
Violation of the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
Security risk, compromised account, or suspected fraud
Excessive resource usage affecting system stability
Customer fails to respond to support or abuse inquiries

Suspension does not remove your obligation to pay outstanding invoices.

8.2 Termination by Customer

You may terminate service at any time by submitting a cancellation request through the SBS billing portal. Cancellations are not accepted by email or phone alone for security reasons.

8.3 Termination by SBS

SBS may terminate your service immediately if:

You breach these Terms or our AUP
You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
You initiate a payment chargeback
You threaten or abuse SBS staff
Your actions damage SBS systems or reputation

8.4 Data Deletion

Upon termination:

Hosted data may be removed permanently after 7 days
SBS has no obligation to retain customer data after termination
Backups, if available, may be provided at SBS discretion
SBS is not liable for data loss due to termination

8.5 Reactivation

Suspended accounts may be reactivated after:

Payment of outstanding balances
Resolution of abuse or security issues
Payment of a reactivation fee (up to $35) if required

SECTION 9 – DOMAIN TRANSFER POLICY

This section applies to customers who request to transfer a domain name away from SBS to another provider.

9.1 Transfer Eligibility Requirements

To transfer a domain:

The account must be active and in good standing
All invoices must be paid in full
No account disputes or chargebacks may exist
Identity verification may be required for security

9.2 30-Day Advance Notice Requirement

Customers must provide 30 days advance written notice of intent to transfer
Notice must be submitted via a billing ticket in the SBS portal
Billing for the service stops only after transfer request is verified and approved by SBS

9.3 Domain Transfer Policy

Domains must be unlocked and have a valid EPP/Auth code
Domains cannot be transferred within 60 days of registration or previous transfer
SBS is not responsible for delays caused by domain registries or third-party registrars
Domain renewal fees are non-refundable

9.4 Fees

The following fees apply to transfers away from SBS:

Fee Type	Amount
Domain transfer out	Free
Administrative & verification review	$0 – $25 (case by case)

SECTION 10 – DATA PROTECTION & PRIVACY

SBS collects, processes, and stores customer data in accordance with U.S. privacy and data protection laws. By using our services, you acknowledge and agree to the data practices outlined below and in our Privacy Policy.

10.1 Data We Collect

We may collect:

Account information (name, address, email, phone)
Billing records and transaction history
Service usage logs
Ticket/support communication history
Device logs when accessing PlainConnect or remote support
IP addresses for security and access logging

Note: SBS does not store full credit card numbers. All payments are processed securely by PCI-compliant third-party payment processors.

10.2 Purpose of Data Use

We use customer data for:

Account creation, billing, and service delivery
Communication regarding service status or support
Fraud prevention and account security
Compliance with U.S. law enforcement requests
Network stability and abuse prevention

10.3 Data Privacy Rights

Customers have the right to:

Request access to their account data
Request correction of inaccurate data
Request account closure and data deletion (unless retention required by law)
Request copies of invoices and billing history
Opt out of non-essential marketing communications

10.4 Data Retention

Billing records retained for 7 years (audit & tax law)
Abuse/security logs retained up to 12 months
Account data deleted within 30 days of verified closure when allowed

10.5 Data Security

We use:

Encrypted portals (HTTPS/TLS)
Access security and identity protection controls
Backup and recovery systems
Abuse and fraud monitoring

However, no service is 100% secure, and SBS cannot guarantee absolute protection against cyber threats.

10.6 Law Enforcement Compliance

SBS will comply with valid U.S. subpoenas, court orders, or warrants. Customer data will not be released without proper legal authority.

10.7 Data Location

All primary services and data hosting are located in the United States.

SECTION 11 – SERVICE AVAILABILITY & UPTIME

11.1 General Availability

SBS aims to provide reliable services with high availability. However, service uptime is not guaranteed unless a separate Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been signed. Standard service is offered on a "best effort" basis.

11.2 Maintenance Windows

Scheduled maintenance will be announced in advance when possible.
Emergency maintenance may occur without prior notice to protect system security or stability.
Maintenance windows may cause temporary downtime.

11.3 External Network Providers

Service disruptions may occur due to:

Data center outages
Carrier network interruption
DDoS attacks
Third-party system failure

SBS is not liable for downtime caused by third-party vendors or force majeure events.

11.4 Uptime Coverage

Unless otherwise stated:

Web hosting services target 99.5% availability
Email services target 99.5% availability
PlainConnect identity services target 99.5% availability

11.5 Backups & Data Loss

Backups are not guaranteed unless explicitly included in your service plan.
Customers are responsible for maintaining their own backups.
SBS is not responsible for data loss, corruption, or accidental deletion.

11.6 Credits & Compensation

Service credits may be issued at SBS discretion for significant service disruption.
No monetary refunds will be issued for downtime except where required by law.
Credits cannot exceed one month of service fees.

SECTION 12 – SUPPORT POLICY

SBS provides support services to assist with technical and account-related issues. The following conditions apply to all support requests.

12.1 Support Availability

Support is available through:

The SBS support ticket system (primary method)
Email support (limited)
Remote support sessions (optional)
Emergency support (paid service)

Phone support availability may vary depending on service plan.

12.2 Supported Assistance

Standard support includes:

Service provisioning help
Billing and account assistance
DNS configuration guidance
Basic email setup
PlainConnect setup and join assistance
Troubleshooting hosted websites

12.3 Unsupported Assistance

Support does not include:

Custom programming or code repair
Fixing customer-installed software
Hacked or insecure CMS recovery (e.g. WordPress malware cleanup)
SEO or web design consulting
Third-party product troubleshooting
Issues caused by user modification or misconfiguration

Paid assistance may be offered separately by quote.

12.4 Remote Support Sessions

Remote access is performed only at the customer’s request.
You must grant screen-sharing permission and remain present during live sessions.
SBS is not responsible for unintended side effects of remote troubleshooting.
Certain tasks may require administrative system access.

12.5 Support Response Time

Response times are not guaranteed unless a paid SLA applies. Priority is assigned as follows:

Priority Level	Example Issues	Target Response
Critical	Network outage	As soon as possible
High	Email service failure	4–8 business hours
Normal	Billing or configuration help	24–48 business hours
Low	General questions	48–72 business hours

SECTION 13 – SOFTWARE LICENSING & OPEN SOURCE DISCLOSURE

SBS uses a combination of proprietary systems and open-source software to deliver services. By using SBS services, you agree to the terms of software licensing associated with these systems.

13.1 Use of Open Source Software

SBS utilizes open-source components, including but not limited to:

FOSSBilling – client billing and account management
Linux server components
Web hosting tools (e.g., NGINX, Apache, MariaDB, PHP)
Security and infrastructure tools

Open-source components are used in compliance with their respective licenses.

13.2 FOSSBilling Notice

FOSSBilling is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Under this license:

SBS may modify FOSSBilling to deliver services
SBS is not obligated to make platform modifications available publicly unless distributing software outside its hosted service
Customers receive access to the service, not the hosted source code
FOSSBilling is provided “as is,” without warranty

This notice satisfies GPL compliance by acknowledging FOSSBilling usage.

13.3 Proprietary Systems

All custom branding, themes, modules, scripts, designs, features, automations, and infrastructure created by SBS are proprietary intellectual property and may not be:

Copied
Reverse-engineered
Distributed
Resold
Used outside the SBS service

13.4 Third-Party Licensing

Some services may require:

SSL certificates
Software API access

You agree to comply with all third-party license terms when using SBS services.

13.5 Ownership

SBS retains all rights and ownership of service platforms and intellectual property.
You retain ownership of your data and website content.
Use of SBS services does not grant ownership of any system or software.

SECTION 14 – SECURITY & ABUSE MONITORING

SBS takes security seriously and implements measures to protect customers, systems, and networks. By using SBS services, you agree to comply with all security policies below.

14.1 Security Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

Securing your own data, passwords, and access credentials
Using strong passwords and enabling MFA when available
Keeping systems, websites, and software up to date
Immediately removing compromised scripts or accounts
Reporting any suspected security incidents

14.2 Account Protection

You are responsible for all activity under your account.
Sharing account access with unauthorized parties is prohibited.
SBS may require security verification before making account changes.
SBS may lock accounts if suspicious activity is detected.

14.3 Network and Abuse Protection

To protect service integrity, SBS implements:

Firewall and DDoS protection
Intrusion detection systems
Real-time abuse monitoring
Virus and malware scanning (where applicable)

SBS reserves the right to scan hosted content for security threats and may isolate or suspend infected services to prevent network impact.

14.4 Lawful Use Compliance

You agree not to use SBS services for:

Unauthorized access attempts (hacking)
Hosting phishing pages or spyware
Botnet control or command servers
Illegal surveillance or monitoring
Distribution of malicious code

14.5 Cooperation with Investigations

SBS may cooperate with:

U.S. law enforcement
Regulatory agencies
Fraud prevention networks

SBS will not release customer data unless required by law or court order.

14.6 Zero Tolerance for Abuse

Any user found engaging in abuse, fraud, harassment, or malicious activity may face:

Immediate service suspension
Account termination
Blacklisting across SBS networks
Legal action if applicable

SECTION 15 – LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Simple Bridge Solutions LLC (“SBS”) limits its liability under this Agreement as follows:

15.1 No Guarantee of Uninterrupted Service

SBS provides services on a commercially reasonable effort basis. We do not guarantee:

Uninterrupted access to services
Perfect uptime
Freedom from data loss, corruption, latency, or cyber-attacks
Immediate resolution of all technical problems

15.2 Maximum Liability

In no event shall SBS, its owners, employees, contractors, or affiliates be liable for:

Loss of profits or revenue
Business interruption
Data loss or corruption
Loss of domain name
Loss due to telecommunications or network failure
Any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages

SBS’s total liability for any claim shall not exceed the total fees paid by the customer in the previous 12 months for the affected service.

15.3 Excluded Liability

SBS shall not be liable for:

Customer misconfiguration or user error
Third-party service provider outages
Domain transfer delays caused by ICANN or registries
Harm caused by malware uploaded by users
Loss caused by force majeure events (natural disaster, war, etc.)

15.4 No Warranty

Services are provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. SBS disclaims all warranties, including:

Merchantability
Fitness for a particular purpose
Non-infringement
Results or success for customer business operations

SECTION 16 – INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to protect, defend, and hold harmless Simple Bridge Solutions LLC (“SBS”), its owners, employees, contractors, agents, suppliers, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of:

16.1 Situations Covered by Indemnity

You agree to indemnify SBS in cases including but not limited to:

Your violation of these Terms or any SBS policies
Your misuse of SBS services
Your violation of any applicable U.S. law or ICANN policy
Intellectual property or copyright infringement claims
Transmission of spam, malware, or harmful content
Unauthorized sharing or resale of SBS services
Hosting illegal or prohibited content
Third-party claims arising from your hosted material or activity

16.2 Defense Cooperation

You agree that:

SBS may assume exclusive defense of claims at its discretion
You will cooperate fully with SBS in defense matters
You will not settle any claim involving SBS without written consent

SECTION 17 – DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

17.1 Service Disclaimer

All services provided by Simple Bridge Solutions LLC ("SBS") are offered on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis. SBS explicitly disclaims any and all warranties, including:

Fitness for a particular purpose
Merchantability
Reliability or compatibility
Non-infringement of third-party rights
Guaranteed security or uptime
Accuracy of data or performance

17.2 No Guarantee

SBS does not warrant that:

Services will be uninterrupted or error-free
Customer data will be fully secure
Software or hardware will be bug-free
Emails will always be delivered or received
Domain registration or renewals will always succeed
Backup recovery will always be possible

17.3 Third-Party Services

SBS is not responsible for outages, failures, or interruptions caused by:

Domain registries or ICANN
Payment processors or banking networks
Third-party email blacklists (Spamhaus, RBLs, etc.)
CDN or DNS providers
External software or plugin failures

SECTION 18 – GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION

18.1 Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

18.2 Jurisdiction

All disputes or claims arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Preble County, Ohio, or the nearest competent jurisdiction within the State of Ohio.

You agree to:

Submit to the personal jurisdiction of courts in Ohio
Waive any objection based on improper venue or inconvenience of forum

18.3 Legal Compliance

You agree to comply with all applicable U.S. federal, state, and local laws when using SBS services, including but not limited to:

CAN-SPAM Act (email compliance)
U.S. Export Control Laws
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
ICANN domain transfer policies

18.4 Class Action Waiver

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

You agree not to participate in any class action claims against SBS.
Disputes must be handled individually between you and SBS.

SECTION 19 – DISPUTE RESOLUTION

SBS aims to resolve issues quickly and fairly. Before filing a claim, lawsuit, or dispute, you agree to follow the steps below.

19.1 Good Faith Resolution Requirement

You agree not to take legal action against SBS unless:

You first contact SBS support to attempt resolution
You allow SBS at least 10 business days to respond
You participate in a good faith effort to resolve the matter informally

19.2 Mandatory Mediation (Before Court Action)

If a dispute cannot be resolved through support:

Both parties agree to attempt mediation before litigation.
Mediation will be held in Ohio, USA, unless mutually agreed otherwise.
Each party pays its own legal fees related to mediation.

19.3 Claims and Time Limits

Any claim against SBS must be filed within one year of the event giving rise to the claim.
Claims filed after one year are permanently barred.

19.4 Exclusions

This dispute resolution process does not prevent SBS from:

Seeking payment of overdue balances
Taking legal action against fraud or abuse
Cooperating with law enforcement investigations

SECTION 20 – MODIFICATIONS TO TERMS

SBS may update or modify this Agreement, including any policies or service terms, at any time to reflect changes in law, services, or business operations.

20.1 Notification of Changes

When changes are made:

SBS will post updated Terms on its website and/or billing portal.
Significant changes may be communicated via email or system notification.
Changes take effect immediately unless otherwise stated.

20.2 Customer Responsibility

You are responsible for reviewing the Terms regularly. Continued use of SBS services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

20.3 Right to Refuse Changes

If you do not agree with a change to these Terms:

You must discontinue use of SBS services.
You may cancel your account according to Section 8.
Continued use means acceptance of new Terms.

SECTION 21 – NOTICES & COMMUNICATION

21.1 Official Communication Methods

SBS may send legal notices, billing notices, security alerts, and service-related communications through any of the following:

Email to the address on file in your account
Messages inside the SBS client portal or billing system
Notices posted on the SBS website
Physical mail to the address you provided (if required)

These are considered official and legally binding communications.

21.2 Customer Contact Requirements

You agree to:

Keep your contact information up to date
Maintain a working email address on file
Regularly check your client portal for system messages and invoices

Failure to read messages from SBS does not excuse missed payments or policy violations.

21.3 Legal Notices to SBS

Legal communication to SBS must be sent to:

Simple Bridge Solutions LLC 4473 Aukerman Creek Rd Eaton, OH 45320 United States Email: [email protected]