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:: license and policy
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Privacy Policy
Information Collection and Use
QEDSoft Inc. is the sole owner of the information collected on the QEDSoft.com
top website. QEDSoft Inc. collects information from our users at several
different points on our Web site.
Registration
In order to use this Web site, a user must first complete the registration
form. During registration a user is required to give contact information (such
as name and email address). We use this information to contact the user about
services on our site for which he has expressed interest. It is also required
for the user to give unique identifiers so we can provide a more personalized
experience on our site, and access to specific product information and reports.
Information Use
Profile
We may store information that we collect through cookies, log files, clear
gifs, and/or third parties to create a profile of our users. A profile is
stored information that we keep on individual users that details their viewing
preferences. Consequently, collected information is tied to the users
personally identifiable information to provide offers and improve the content
of the site for the user. This profile may be used to tailor a user's visit to
our Web site, and to direct pertinent marketing promotions to them. We do not
share your profile with other third parties.
Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's computer tied to information
about the user. We MAY use both session ID cookies and persistent cookies. For
the session ID cookie, once users close the browser, the cookie simply
terminates. A persistent cookie is a small text file stored on the user's hard
drive for an extended period of time. Persistent cookies can be removed by
following Internet browser help file directions.
By setting a cookie on our site, users would not have to log in a password more
than once, thereby saving time while on our site. If users reject the cookie,
they may still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user may be
limited in some areas of our site. For example, Persistent cookies enable us to
track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our
site. See the "Profile" section.
Some of our business partners use cookies on our site (for example,
advertisers). However, we have no access to or control over these cookies, once
we have given permission for them to set cookies for advertising.
This privacy statement covers the use of cookies by QEDSoft Inc. only and does
not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers.
Log Files
Like most standard Web site servers we use log files. This may include internet
protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP),
referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to
analyze trends, administer the site, track user's movement in the aggregate,
and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use.
Clear Gifs (Web Beacons/Web Bugs)
We may employ a software technology called clear gifs (a.k.a. Web Beacons/Web
Bugs), that help us better manage content on our site by informing us what
content is effective. Clear gifs are tiny graphics with a unique identifier,
similar in function to cookies, and are used to track the online movements of
Web users. The main difference between the two is that clear gifs are invisible
on the page and are much smaller, about the size of the period at the end of
this sentence.
In addition, we may use clear gifs in our HTML-based emails to let us know
which emails have been opened by the recipients. This allows us to gauge the
effectiveness of certain communications and the effectiveness of our marketing
campaigns. If users would like to opt-out of these emails, please see the
Opt-out section.
Communications from the Site
Special Offers and Updates
We send all new members a welcoming email to verify password and username.
Established members may occasionally receive information on products, services,
special deals, and a newsletter. Out of respect for the privacy of our users we
present the option to not receive these types of communications. Please see the
Choice and Opt-out sections.
Newsletter
If a user wishes to subscribe to our newsletter, we ask for contact information
such as name and email address. Out of respect for our users privacy we provide
a way to opt-out of these communications. Please see the Choice and Opt-out
sections.
Service Announcements
On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related
announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for
maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of
these communications, though they can deactivate their account. However, these
communications are not promotional in nature.
Customer Service
We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and
in regards to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone, in
accordance with the users wishes.
Sharing
Legal Disclaimer
Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose
personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief
that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a
court order or legal process served on our Web site.
Aggregate Information (non-personally identifiable) We may share aggregated
demographic information with our partners and advertisers.
Third Party Intermediaries
We may use an outside shipping company to ship orders, and a credit card
processing company to bill users for goods and services. These companies do not
retain, share, store or use personally identifiable information for any
secondary purposes.
Business Transitions
In the event QEDSoft Inc. goes through a business transition, such as a merger,
being acquired by another company, or selling a portion of its assets, users'
personal information may, in most instances, be part of the assets transferred.
Users may be notified prior to a change of ownership or control of their
personal information. If as a result of the business transition, the users'
personally identifiable information may be used in a manner different from that
stated at the time of collection they may be given choice consistent with our
notification of changes section.
Choice/Opt-out
Our users are given the opportunity to 'opt-out' of having their information
used for purposes not directly related to our site at the point where we ask
for information. For example, our order form has an 'opt-out' mechanism so
users who buy a product from us, but don't want any marketing material, can
keep their email address off of our lists.
Users of our site are always notified when their information is being collected
by any outside parties. We do this so our users can make an informed choice as
to whether or not they should proceed with services that require an outside
party.
Links
This Web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we, [NAME OF
COMPANY], are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We
encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the
privacy statements of each and every Web site that collects personally
identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information
collected by this Web site.
Surveys [& Contests]
From time-to-time our site requests information from users via surveys or
contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is completely voluntary
and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this
information. The requested information typically includes contact information
(such as name and shipping address), and demographic information (such as zip
code). Contact information may be used to notify the winners and award prizes.
Survey information may be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use
and satisfaction of this site. Users' personally identifiable information is
not shared with third parties unless we give prior notice and choice. Though we
may use an intermediary to conduct these surveys or contests, they may not use
users' personally identifiable information for any secondary purposes.
Security
This Web site takes every precaution to protect our users' information. When
users submit sensitive information via the Web site, their information is
protected both online and off-line.
When our registration/order form asks users to enter sensitive information
(such as credit card number and/or social security number), that information is
encrypted and is protected with the best encryption software in the industry -
SSL. While on a secure page, such as our order form, the lock icon on the
bottom of Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet
Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to un-locked, or open, when users are just
'surfing'.
While we use SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online, we also do
everything in our power to protect user-information off-line. All of our users'
information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is restricted
in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific
job (for example, our billing clerk or a customer service representative) are
granted access to personally identifiable information.
Supplementation of Information
In order for this Web site to properly fulfill its obligation to users it may
be necessary for us to supplement the information we receive with information
from 3rd party sources.
Credit Check
For example, to determine if users qualify for one of our credit cards, we may
use their name and social security number to request a credit report. Once we
determine a user's credit-worthiness, this document is destroyed.
Enhancement of Marketing Profile
We purchase third party marketing data and add it to our existing user database
to better target our advertising and provide pertinent offers we think our
users would be interested in. We use this information to enhance or overlay the
'profile' of individual users. This aggregate marketing data is therefore tied
to the users' personally identifiable information. See also the "Profile."
Correcting/Updating/Deleting/Deactivating Personal Information
If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as zip code,
phone, email or postal address), or if a user no longer desires our service, we
may provide a way to correct, update or delete/deactivate users' personally
identifiable information.
Notification of Changes
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we may post those changes to this
privacy statement, the homepage, and other places we deem appropriate so our
users are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under
what circumstances, if any, we disclose it. We may use information in
accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.
If, however, we are going to use users' personally identifiable information in
a manner different from that stated at the time of collection we plan to notify
users via email. Users should have a choice as to whether or not we use their
information in this different manner. However, if users have opted out of all
communication with the site, or deleted/deactivated their account, then they
may not be contacted, nor may their personal information be used in this new
manner. In addition, if we make any material changes in our privacy practices
that do not affect user information already stored in our database, we may post
a prominent notice on our Web site notifying users of the change. In some cases
where we post a notice we may also email users, who have opted to receive
communications from us, notifying them of the changes in our privacy practices.
Contact Information
If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please
email us at support@qedsoft.com
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