Terms Of Use

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

Welcome to HoustonEnergy.com. HoustonEnergy.com is not your electricity provider and is an independent agent for retail electric providers (''REPs''). By continuing to use HoustonEnergy.com you, the Customer, (''CUSTOMER''), agree to the following Terms of Service (''TOS''), which we may update or revise from time to time. HoustonEnergy.com maintains this website to provide the CUSTOMER with information about HoustonEnergy.com and retail electricity service options in Texas. By using this website, you agree that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Service and Privacy Policy (collectively, the ''Terms''). If CUSTOMER does not agree to these Terms, then CUSTOMER should not use the website. HoustonEnergy.com is not an electricity provider for CUSTOMERS.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE

HoustonEnergy.com currently provides access to informational and interactive resources relating to electricity service, which may include news, articles, statistics, shopping services, and personalized content (collectively or individually, the ''Service''). Unless explicitly stated otherwise, this TOS will apply to any new features of or enhancements to the current Service. The Service is provided ''AS-IS'' for CUSTOMER use.

REGISTRATION OBLIGATIONS

When CUSTOMER registers with HoustonEnergy.com (''HE''), CUSTOMER agrees to provide true, accurate, current and complete information about himself. We have the right to suspend or terminate the CUSTOMER’s account and refuse any and all current or future use of the Service (or any portion thereof) if CUSTOMER provides any untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete information, or if HE reasonably suspects that CUSTOMER has provided untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete information

CONTENT

• Responsibility

  All information, data, text, software, music, sound, photographs, graphics, video, messages, tags, or other materials (''Content''), whether publicly posted or privately transmitted, are the sole responsibility of the person from whom such Content originated. CUSTOMER is responsible for all Content that it uploads, posts emails, transmits or otherwise makes available via the Service. HE does not control the Content posted via the Service and, as such, does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of such Content. HE shall not be in any way for any Content, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any Content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any Content posted, emailed, transmitted or otherwise made available via the Service.

• Advertisements

  CUSTOMER understands and agrees that the Service may include advertisements and that these advertisements may be necessary for CUSTOMER to provide the Service. CUSTOMER also understands and agrees that the Service may include certain communications from HE, such as service announcements, administrative messages and the HE Newsletter, and that these communications are considered part of HE membership and neither CUSTOMER or prospective CUSTOMER Participants will be able to opt out of receiving them.

  Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any new features that augments or enhances the current Service, including the release of new HE properties, shall be subject to this Agreement. CUSTOMER understands and agrees that the Service is provided ''AS-IS'' and that HE assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, deletion, mis-delivery or failure to store any user communications or personalization settings. CUSTOMER is responsible for obtaining access to the Service, and that access may involve third-party fees (such as Internet service provider or airtime charges). CUSTOMER is responsible for those fees, including those fees associated with the display or delivery of CUSTOMER advertisements, if any. In addition, you must provide and are responsible for all equipment necessary to access the Service.

• Prohibitions

  CUSTOMER shall be prohibited from using the Service to :

  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;
  • impersonate any person or entity or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
  • forge headers or otherwise manipulate identifiers in order to disguise the origin of any Content transmitted through the Service;
  • to access the Service using any robot, spider, scraper or other automated means;
  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that you do not have a right to make available under any law or under contractual or fiduciary relationships (such as inside information, proprietary and confidential information learned or disclosed as part of employment relationships or under nondisclosure agreements);
  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights (''Rights'') of any party;
  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, ''junk mail,'' ''spam,'' ''chain letters,'' ''pyramid schemes,'' or any other form of solicitation;
  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
  • interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers or networks connected to the Service, or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies or regulations of networks connected to the Service;
  • intentionally or unintentionally violate any applicable local, state, national or international law, and any regulations having the force of law;
• Pre-screen

  HE may or may not pre-screen Content. However, HE and its designees shall have the right (but not the obligation) in its sole discretion to pre-screen, refuse, or move any Content that is available via the Service. Without limiting the foregoing, HE and its designees shall have the right to remove any Content that violates this Agreement or is otherwise objectionable. CUSTOMER must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any Content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Content.

• Disclosure of Account Information

  HE may access, preserve and disclose CUSTOMER’s account information and Content if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that such access preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (a) comply with legal process; (b) enforce the Agreement; (c) respond to claims that any Content violates the rights of third parties; (d) respond to your requests for customer service; or (e) protect the rights, property or personal safety of HE, its users and the public.

• Transmission

  The technical processing and transmission of the Service, including Content, may involve (a) transmissions over various networks; and (b) changes to conform and adapt to technical requirements of connecting networks or devices.

• Security

  The Service and software embodied within the Service may include security components that permit digital materials to be protected, and that use of these materials is subject to usage rules set by HE and/or content providers who provide content to the Service. CUSTOMER may not attempt to override or circumvent any of the usage rules embedded into the Service. Any unauthorized reproduction, publication, further distribution or public exhibition of the materials provided on the Service, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

• Ownership

  HE does not claim ownership of Content that CUSTOMER submits or makes available for inclusion on the Service. However, with respect to Content that CUSTOMER submits or makes available for inclusion on publicly accessible areas of the Service, CUSTOMER grants HE the following worldwide, royalty-free and non-exclusive license(s), as applicable:

• With respect to photos, graphics, audio or video CUSTOMER submits or makes available for inclusion on publicly accessible areas of the Service, the license to use, distribute, reproduce, modify, adapt, publicly perform and publicly display such Content on the Service solely for the purpose for which such Content was submitted or made available. This license exists only for as long as you elect to continue to include such Content on the Service and will terminate at the time you remove or HE removes such Content from the Service.
• ''Publicly accessible'' areas of the Service are those areas of the HE network of properties that are intended by HE to be available to the general public.

NO RESALE OF SERVICE

CUSTOMER shall not reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, trade, resell or exploit for any commercial purposes, any portion of the Service, use of the Service, or access to the Service.

GENERAL PRACTICES REGARDING USE AND STORAGE

HE may establish general practices and limits concerning use of the Service, including without limitation the maximum number of days that uploaded Content will be retained by the Service, the maximum disk space that will be allotted on HE’s servers, and the maximum number of times (and the maximum duration for which) CUSTOMER may access the Service in a given period of time. CUSTOMER acknowledges and agrees that HE reserves the right to log off accounts that are inactive for an extended period of time. HE reserves the right to modify these general practices and limits from time to time.

MODIFICATIONS TO SERVICE

HE reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Service (or any part thereof) with or without notice. You agree that Yahoo! shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the Service.

DEALINGS WITH ADVERTISERS

CUSTOMER’s correspondence or business dealings with, or participation in promotions of, REPs or advertisers found on or through the Service, including payment and delivery of related goods or services, and any other terms, conditions, warranties or representations associated with such dealings, are solely between CUSTOMER and such REP or advertiser. CUSTOMER agrees that HE shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of any such dealings or as the result of the presence of such REPS or advertisers on the Service

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

CUSTOMER expressly understands and agrees that:

• USE OF THE SERVICE IS AT CUSTOMER’S SOLE RISK. THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN ''AS IS'' AND ''AS AVAILABLE'' BASIS. HE AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, PARTNERS AND LICENSORS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
• HE AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, PARTNERS AND LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTY THAT (i) THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS; (ii) THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE OR ERROR-FREE; (iii) THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SERVICE WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE; (iv) THE QUALITY OF ANY PRODUCTS, SERVICES, INFORMATION OR OTHER MATERIAL PURCHASED OR OBTAINED BY YOU THROUGH THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS; AND (v) ANY ERRORS IN THE SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED.
• ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE SERVICE IS ACCESSED AT CUSTOMER’S OWN DISCRETION AND RISK, AND CUSTOMER WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO ITS COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL.
• NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM HE OR THROUGH OR FROM THE SERVICE SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT.

INDEMNITY

CUSTOMER will indemnify and hold harmless HE and its officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees and its affiliates, their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, for any costs or expenses of every kind and character, including court costs and attorneys’ fees, resulting from claims, including injury to and death of persons, arising from any act, omission, or incident arising directly or indirectly from the performance of its duties under this Agreement

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

• Trademarks and Trade Names.
  CUSTOMER agrees not to display or use, in marketing, telemarketing, advertising or otherwise, any of HE’s or its parent corporation’s, subsidiaries’ or affiliates’ trade names, logos, trademarks, trade devices, service marks, symbols, codes, specifications, abbreviations or registered marks, or contractions or simulations thereof (hereinafter referred to collectively as ''Marks'') and will not permit the same to be used or displayed by third parties, except with HE’ s prior written consent or except as required by any applicable law, order, regulation or ruling. CUSTOMER shall not claim ownership or any other rights in HE’s Marks.
• Intellectual Property.
  All information, data, documents and materials provided by HE to CUSTOMER, or acquired or learned by CUSTOMER from HE files, documents, employees, agents, representatives, consultants or contractors in connection with the services of CUSTOMER’s performance under this Agreement shall remain the sole and exclusive property of HE, and CUSTOMER shall not obtain any rights whatsoever in any such information, data, documents or materials (whether under applicable patent, copyright, trade secret laws or otherwise).
• HE Software.
  The Service and any necessary software used in connection with the Service (''Software'') contain proprietary and confidential information that is protected by applicable intellectual property and other laws. CUSTOMER further acknowledges and agrees that Content contained in sponsor advertisements or information presented through the Service or by advertisers is protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patents or other proprietary rights and laws. Except as expressly authorized by HE or advertisers, CUSTOMER agrees not to modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, distribute or create derivative works based on the Service or the Software, in whole or in part.
• Grant of Limited License.
  HE grants CUSTOMER a personal, non-transferable and non-exclusive right and license to use the object code of its Software on a single computer; provided that CUSTOMER does not (and does not allow any third party to) copy, modify, create a derivative work from, reverse engineer, reverse assemble or otherwise attempt to discover any source code, sell, assign, sublicense, grant a security interest in or otherwise transfer any right in the Software. CUSTOMER agrees neither to modify the Software in any manner or form, nor to use modified versions of the Software, including (without limitation) for the purpose of obtaining unauthorized access to the Service. CUSTOMER agrees not to access the Service by any means other than through the interface that is provided by HE for use in accessing the Service.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES

CUSTOMER, in providing the services and obligations set forth herein, is acting as an independent contractor and not as HE’s agent, partner or employee and has no fiduciary or similar relationship with HE. Accordingly, nothing in this Agreement is intended or will be construed to constitute or imply a joint venture, partnership, association or fiduciary duty, obligation or liability between HE and CUSTOMER.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Limitation of Liability.
  The exclusive measure of damages recoverable from claims arising from, under or in connection with the Agreement, whether arising by negligence, intended conduct or otherwise will be limited to DIRECT damages only and such damages will be the sole and exclusive remedy hereunder and all other remedies or damages are waived. In no event will any party be liable for ANY INCIDENTAL, consequential, punitive, exemplary or indirect damages, LOST PROFITS OR OTHER BUSINESS INTERRUPTION DAMAGES, LOST OR PROSPECTIVE PROFITS, in tort, contract or otherwise. The provisions of this Section will survive the termination of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not provide any person not a Party to this Agreement with any remedy, claim, liability reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement. FURTHER, HE shall not be liable to CUSTOMER for damages resulting from: (i) the use or the inability to use the service; (ii) the cost of procurement of substitute goods and services resulting from any goods, data, information or services purchased or obtained or messages received or transactions entered into through or from the Service; (iii) unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data; (iv) statements or conduct of any third party on the service; or (v) any other matter relating to the Service.
• Compliance with Law.
  CUSTOMER shall, at all times during the term of this Agreement and at its own expense, comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Choice of Law/Venue.
  THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THE PARTIES MUTUALLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN Harris County, TEXAS AND AGREE THAT ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING CONCERNING, RELATED TO, OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NEGOTIATION OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN A FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN Harris County, TEXAS AND THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THEY WILL NOT RAISE ANY DEFENSE OR OBJECTION OR FILE ANY MOTION BASED ON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE, INCONVENIENCE OF THE FORUM, OR THE LIKE IN ANY CASE FILED IN A FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN Harris County, TEXAS.
• Entire Agreement.
  This TOS constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous, oral or written, express or implied understanding between them respecting the subject matter hereof. No modification, amendment or waiver will be effective or binding without the written consent of the Parties.
• Waiver.
  No waiver or consent, express or implied, of any default in the performance of any provision herein will operate or be construed as a waiver or consent of any other default whether of a like or different nature. Failure to complain of any act or to declare a default with respect to this Agreement, regardless of how long that failure continues, will not constitute a waiver with respect to that default until the applicable statute of limitations period has run.
• Severability.
  If any provision of this Agreement is, for any reason, adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, such judgment will not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this Agreement which shall be enforced as fully as possible, but will be confined in its operation to the provision directly involved in the controversy in which judgment will have been rendered. The provision rendered invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed modified to the limited extent required to permit its enforcement in a manner most closely representing the intention of the Parties as expressed herein.
• No Third Party Beneficiaries.
  This Agreement is intended for the exclusive benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating any rights or benefits in or to any third party, except as specified in, hereto.
• Interpretation.
  This Agreement shall not be interpreted either more or less favorably towards any party by virtue of the fact that such party or its counsel was responsible for the drafting of all or a portion hereof.
• Headings.
  Headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be construed to define or limit any terms herein, or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
• Independence.
  Notwithstanding any assistance provided by the Parties to each other in implementing the Agreement to maximize value to both Parties, the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that they are, and will in implementing the Agreement be, acting independently. Nothing herein is intended to or will make the Parties joint ventures, partners or otherwise authorizes a Party to act on behalf of the other or otherwise bind the other.