PDA

View Full Version : Kiss My Butt Nasdaq


Zeno
07-06-2003, 08:55 PM
I "consolidated" my different financial accounts and can now do everything by the miracle of electrons. I had to sign an agreement with NYSE and Nasdaq etc. I could not wade through the entire Nasdaq agreement but skimmed it (Thankfully the NYSE agreement is much simpler). I just assumed that all the jargon means one thing:

If something goes wrong you are F**ked; Not Us.

And yes, I am not a professional, or yes; I am a non-professional. Below is a copy of the entire agreement. I want all you financial wizards to explain it to me. In the King’s English please.


THE VENDOR AND ITS AGENTS MAY NOT MODIFY OR WAIVE ANY TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. ANY ATTEMPT TO MODIFY THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT BY NASDAQ, IS VOID.

1. The word "Nasdaq" means The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and its affiliates. The word "Information" means certain data and other information: relating to securities or other financial instruments, products, vehicles or devices; or relating to Persons regulated by Nasdaq or to activities of Nasdaq; or gathered by Nasdaq from other sources. The word "or" includes the word "and." The phrase "Claims or Losses" means any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, suits, costs, judgments, settlements, and expenses of whatever nature, whether incurred by or issued against an indemnified party or a third party, including, without limitation, (1) indirect, special, punitive, consequential or incidental loss or damage, (including, but not limited to, trading losses, loss of anticipated profits, loss by reason of shutdown in operation or increased expenses of operation, or other indirect loss or damage) and (2) administrative costs, investigatory costs, litigation costs, and auditors' and attorneys' and fees and disbursements (including in-house personnel). The word "Person" means any natural person, proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or other entity whatsoever. The phrase "Non-Professional Subscriber" means any natural person who is neither: (a) registered or qualified in any capacity with the SEC, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, any state securities agency, any securities exchange or association, or any commodities or futures contract market or association; (b) engaged as an "investment advisor" as that term is defined in Section 201 (11) of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 (whether or not registered or qualified under that Act); nor, (c) employed by a bank or other organization exempt from registration under federal or state securities laws to perform functions that would require registration or qualification if such functions were performed for an organization not so exempt. The phrase "Professional Subscriber" means all other persons who do not meet the definition of Non-Professional Subscriber. When it appears alone, the word "Subscriber" encompasses all Non-Professional and Professional Subscribers. The phrase "Vendor's Service" means the service from a vendor, including the data processing equipment, software, and communications facilities related thereto, for receiving, processing, transmitting, using and disseminating the Information to or by Subscriber.

2. Subscriber is granted the right to receive from Nasdaq the Information under the terms stated herein or in the NASD Rules. "NASD Rules" shall mean all applicable laws (including intellectual property, communications, and securities laws), statutes, and regulations, the rules and regulations of the SEC, the rules and regulations of Nasdaq including, but not limited to, those requirements established by Nasdaq's rule filings (with such SEC approval as may be required), Nasdaq's decisions and interpretations and any User Guides, or successors of the components of the NASD Rules, as they may exist at the time. For Professional Subscriber, if any payment is due directly to Nasdaq under this Agreement, payment in full is due Nasdaq in immediately available U.S. funds, within 30 days of the date of an invoice, whether or not use is made of, or access is made to, the Information. Interest shall be due from the date of the invoice to the time that the amount(s) that are due have been paid. Subscriber shall assume full and complete responsibility for the payment of any taxes, charges or assessments imposed on Subscriber or Nasdaq (except for U.S. federal, state, or local income taxes, if any, imposed on Nasdaq) by any foreign or domestic national, state, provincial or local governmental bodies, or subdivisions thereof, and any penalties or interest, relating to the provision of the Information to Subscriber.

3. The Information is licensed only for the personal use of the Non-Professional Subscriber and the internal business use and/or personal use of the Professional Subscriber. By representing to Vendor that Subscriber is a non-professional, or by continuing to receive the Information at a non-professional subscriber rate, Subscriber is affirming to Vendor and Nasdaq that Subscriber meets the definition of Non-Professional Subscriber as set forth in paragraph 1 above. Subscriber will promptly give written notice to Vendor of any change in the name or place of residence or place of business at which the Information is received. Subscriber may not sell, lease, furnish or otherwise permit or provide access to the Information to any other Person or to any other office or place. Subscriber will not engage in the operation of any illegal business; use or permit anyone else to use the Information, or any part thereof, for any illegal purpose; or violate any NASD Rule. Professional Subscribers may, on a non-continuous basis, furnish limited amounts of the Information to customers: in written advertisements, correspondence, or other literature; or during voice telephonic conversations not entailing computerized voice, automated information inquiry systems, or similar technologies. Subscriber may not present the Information rendered in any unfair, misleading, or discriminatory format. Subscriber shall take reasonable security precautions to prevent unauthorized Persons from gaining access to the Information.

4. Subscriber acknowledges that Nasdaq, in its sole discretion, may from time to time make modifications to its system or the Information. Such modifications may require corresponding changes to be made in Vendor's Service. Changes or the failure to make timely changes by Vendor or Subscriber may sever or affect Subscriber's access to or use of the Information. Nasdaq shall not be responsible for such effects.

5. Nasdaq grants to Subscriber a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the Agreement to receive and use the Information transmitted to it by Vendor and thereafter to use such Information for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of the Agreement or with the NASD Rules. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that Nasdaq has proprietary rights in the Information that originates on or derives from markets regulated or operated by Nasdaq and compilation or other rights in Information gathered from other sources. Subscriber further acknowledges and agrees that Nasdaq's third party Information providers have exclusive proprietary rights in their respective Information. In the event of any misappropriation or misuse, Nasdaq or its third party information providers shall have the right to obtain injunctive relief for its respective materials. Subscriber will attribute source as appropriate under all the circumstances.

6. Subscriber acknowledges that Nasdaq, as a subsidiary of NASD, when required to do so by NASD in fulfillment of NASD's statutory obligations, may by notice to Vendor unilaterally limit or terminate the right of any or all Persons to receive or use the Information, and that Vendor will immediately comply with any such notice and will terminate or limit the furnishing of the Information and confirm such compliance by notice to Nasdaq. Any affected Person will have available to it such procedural protections as are provided by the Exchange Act and applicable rules thereunder. Neither Nasdaq nor NASD shall have any liability when complying with such NASD notice.

7. Professional Subscriber shall make its premises available to Nasdaq for physical inspection of Vendor's Service and of Professional Subscriber's use of the Information (including review of any records regarding use of, or access to, the Information and the number and locations of all devices that receive Information), all at reasonable times, upon reasonable notice, to ensure compliance with this Agreement. Non-professional Subscriber shall comply promptly with any reasonable request from Nasdaq for information regarding the Non-Professional Subscriber’s receipt, processing, display and redistribution of the Information.

8. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the termination of the Vendor's Service for failure to make payments shall not be deemed or considered to be, and Subscriber waives any right to represent or assert that any such exercise constitutes, an act or omission or an improper denial or limitation of access by Nasdaq to any service or facility operated by Nasdaq as contemplated in Section 11A of the Exchange Act, or any other provision of the Exchange Act, or any rule, regulation, or interpretation adopted thereunder.

9. NASDAQ'S WARRANTIES/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES.NASDAQ SHALL ENDEAVOR TO OFFER THE INFORMATION AS PROMPTLY AND ACCURATELY AS IS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE. IN THE EVENT THAT THE INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE BY NASDAQ TO PERFORM ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, NASDAQ WILL ENDEAVOR, GIVING DUE REGARD FOR THE COST, TIME, AND EFFECT ON OTHER USERS, TO CORRECT ANY SUCH FAILURE. IN THE EVENT THAT THE INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE, IS DELAYED, IS INTERRUPTED, IS INCOMPLETE, OR IS NOT ACCURATE OR IS OTHERWISE MATERIALLY AFFECTED FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF FOUR (4) HOURS OR MORE DURING THE TIME THAT NASDAQ REGULARLY TRANSMITS THE INFORMATION DUE TO THE FAULT OF NASDAQ (EXCEPT FOR A REASON PERMITTED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN NASDAQ'S AGREEMENT WITH THE VENDOR), SUBSCRIBER'S OR ANY OTHER PERSON'S EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AGAINST NASDAQ SHALL BE (A) IF SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON CONTINUES TO RECEIVE THE INFORMATION OR ANY OTHER DATA AND/OR INFORMATION OFFERED BY NASDAQ, A PRORATED MONTH'S CREDIT OF ANY MONIES DUE, IF ANY, FOR THE AFFECTED INFORMATION DIRECTLY TO NASDAQ FROM SUBSCRIBER, OR, IF APPLICABLE, FROM SAID OTHER PERSON, FOR THE PERIOD AT ISSUE OR, (B) IF SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON NO LONGER RECEIVES EITHER THE INFORMATION OR ANY OTHER DATA AND/OR INFORMATION OFFERED BY NASDAQ, A PRORATED MONTH'S REFUND OF ANY MONIES DUE FOR THE AFFECTED INFORMATION DIRECTLY TO NASDAQ FROM SUBSCRIBER, OR, IF APPLICABLE, FROM SAID OTHER PERSON, FOR THE PERIOD AT ISSUE. SUCH CREDIT OR REFUND SHALL, IF APPLICABLE, BE REQUESTED BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO NASDAQ WITH ALL PERTINENT DETAILS.BEYOND THE WARRANTIES STATED IN THIS SECTION, THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, TIMELINESS, TRUTHFULNESS, SEQUENCE, COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, FREEDOM FROM INTERRUPTION), ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING FROM TRADE USAGE, COURSE OF DEALING, OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, OR THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE.

10. NASDAQ’S LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.(A) EXCEPT AS MAY OTHERWISE BE SET FORTH HEREIN, NASDAQ SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO SUBSCRIBER, ITS VENDOR OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL LOSS OR DAMAGE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TRADING LOSSES, LOSS OF ANTICIPATED PROFITS, LOSS BY REASON OF SHUTDOWN IN OPERATION OR INCREASED EXPENSES OF OPERATION, COST OF COVER, OR OTHER INDIRECT LOSS OR DAMAGE) OF ANY NATURE ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, EVEN IF NASDAQ HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
(B) NASDAQ SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY UNAVAILABILITY, INTERRUPTION, DELAY, INCOMPLETENESS, OR INACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION THAT LASTS LESS THAN FOUR (4) CONTINUOUS HOURS DURING THE TIME THAT NASDAQ REGULARLY TRANSMITS THE INFORMATION OR IF THE INFORMATION IS MATERIALLY AFFECTED FOR LESS THAN FOUR (4) CONTINUOUS HOURS DURING THE TIME THAT NASDAQ REGULARLY TRANSMITS THE INFORMATION.
(C) IF NASDAQ IS FOR ANY REASON HELD LIABLE TO SUBSCRIBER OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON, WHETHER IN TORT OR IN CONTRACT, THE LIABILITY OF NASDAQ WITHIN A SINGLE YEAR (FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AGREEMENT) OF THE AGREEMENT [COMBINED WITH THE TOTAL OF ALL CLAIMS OR LOSSES OF SUBSCRIBER'S VENDOR, AND ANY OTHER PERSON CLAIMING THROUGH, ON BEHALF OF, OR AS HARMED BY SUBSCRIBER] IS LIMITED TO AN AMOUNT OF SUBSCRIBER’S DAMAGES THAT ARE ACTUALLY INCURRED BY SUBSCRIBER IN REASONABLE RELIANCE, AND WHICH AMOUNT DOES NOT EXCEED THE LESSER OF: (I) IF SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON CONTINUES TO RECEIVE THE INFORMATION OR ANY OTHER DATA AND/OR INFORMATION OFFERED BY NASDAQ, A PRORATED MONTH'S CREDIT OF ANY MONIES DUE DIRECTLY TO NASDAQ FROM SUBSCRIBER, OR, IF APPLICABLE, FROM ANY OTHER PERSON, FOR THE INFORMATION AT ISSUE DURING THE PERIOD AT ISSUE OR, IF SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON NO LONGER RECEIVES EITHER THE INFORMATION OR ANY OTHER DATA AND/OR INFORMATION OFFERED BY NASDAQ, A REFUND OF ANY MONIES DUE DIRECTLY TO NASDAQ FROM SUBSCRIBER, OR, IF APPLICABLE, FROM ANY OTHER PERSON, FOR THE INFORMATION AT ISSUE DURING THE PERIOD AT ISSUE; OR (II) $500.00. (D) THIS SECTION SHALL NOT RELIEVE NASDAQ, SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FROM LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THEIR OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL TORTIOUS MISCONDUCT, OR FROM PERSONAL INJURY OR WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS.
(E) SUBSCRIBER AND NASDAQ UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE TERMS OF THIS SECTION REFLECT A REASONABLE ALLOCATION OF RISK AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
11. THIRD PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS' DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES/LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITIES. NASDAQ'S THIRD PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, TIMELINESS, TRUTHFULNESS, SEQUENCE, COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, FREEDOM FROM INTERRUPTION), ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING FROM TRADE USAGE, COURSE OF DEALING, OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, OR THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE AND THEY SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF, OR FOR DELAYS OR OMISSIONS IN, ANY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THEM. NASDAQ'S THIRD PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS SHALL ALSO HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, WHETHER LOST PROFITS, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF THE SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON SEEKING RELIEF THROUGH SUBSCRIBER, EVEN IF THE THIRD PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT WILL THE LIABILITY OF THE THIRD PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR THEIR AFFILIATES TO SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON SEEKING RELIEF THROUGH SUBSCRIBER PURSUANT TO ANY CAUSE OF ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, EXCEED THE FEE PAID BY SUBSCRIBER OR ANY OTHER PERSON SEEKING RELIEF THROUGH SUBSCRIBER, AS APPLICABLE.

12. Notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Agreement, Nasdaq, its third party information providers or Subscriber shall not be obligated to perform or observe their respective obligations undertaken in this Agreement (except for obligations to make payments hereunder and regulatory obligations) if prevented or hindered from doing so by any circumstances found to be beyond their control.

13. Subscriber will indemnify and hold harmless Nasdaq and its employees, officers, directors, and other agents from any and all Claims or Losses imposed on, incurred by or asserted as a result of or relating to: (a) any noncompliance by Subscriber with the terms and conditions hereof; (b) any third-party actions related to Subscriber's receipt and use of the Information, whether authorized or unauthorized under the Agreement.

14. Each party warrants and represents and will indemnify and hold harmless (and in every case, Nasdaq shall be permitted to solely defend and settle) another party (including Nasdaq) and their officers, directors, employees, and other agents, against any Claims or Losses arising from, involving, or relating to a claim of infringement or other violation of an intellectual property right by the indemnifying party, its actions or omissions, equipment, or other property. This right is conditioned on the indemnified party giving prompt written notice to the indemnifying party (as does not prejudice the defense) of the Claims or Losses and providing cooperation in the defense of the Claims or Losses (without waiver of attorney-client, work-product or other legal privilege, or disclosure of information legally required to be kept confidential).

15. Subscriber agrees that Nasdaq may enforce the terms of this Agreement against any Person, whether or not Vendor or Subscriber is a party to any such action or against Subscriber itself. In any action there shall be available injunctive relief or damages, with the prevailing party being awarded costs and attorneys' fees (including in-house counsel).

16. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and of the Vendor's agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail as between Nasdaq and Subscriber.

17. In addition to terminations permitted under the Vendor's agreement, this Agreement may be terminated by Subscriber on 30 days written notice to Vendor and by Nasdaq on 30 days written notice either to Vendor or Subscriber. Nasdaq may also alter any term of this Agreement on 60 days written notice either to Vendor or Subscriber, and any use after such date is deemed acceptance of the new terms. In the event of Subscriber breach, discovery of the untruth of any representation of Subscriber, or where directed by NASD in its regulatory authority, Nasdaq may terminate this Agreement on not less than three (3) days written notice to Subscriber provided either by Nasdaq or Vendor.

18. Nasdaq does not endorse or approve any equipment, Vendor, or Vendor's Service.

19. Natural persons executing this Agreement warrant and represent that they are at least eighteen (18) years of age. Subscriber and the Person executing this Agreement on behalf of Subscriber which is a proprietorship, corporation, partnership or other entity, represent that such Person is duly authorized by all necessary and appropriate corporate or other action to execute the Agreement on behalf of Subscriber.

20. All notices, invoices, and other communications required to be given in writing under this Agreement shall be directed to: The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., 1735 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, Attn.: Manager: Market Data Distribution, or to Subscriber at the last address known to the Vendor, and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon actual receipt by the parties, or upon constructive receipt if sent by certified mail, postage pre-paid, return receipt requested, at such address or to such other address as any party hereto shall hereafter specify by written notice to the other party or parties hereto.

21. Except as otherwise provided herein, no provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived, unless by an instrument in writing executed by a duly authorized signatory of the party against whom enforcement of such amendment, modification, or waiver is sought. No failure on the part of Nasdaq or Subscriber to exercise, no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege under this Agreement. If any of the provisions of this Agreement, or application thereof to any Person or circumstance, shall to any extent be held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such terms or provisions to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which they are held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby and each such term and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

22. The terms of this Agreement apply to those obligations that survive any cancellation, termination, or rescission, namely, obligations relating to intellectual property, indemnification, limitation of liability, warranties, disclaimer of warranties, and Exchange Act related provisions.

23. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made in the United States in the State of Maryland and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the validity and performance hereof shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Maryland, without reference to principles of conflicts of laws thereof. Subscriber hereby consents to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of or for the State of Maryland in connection with any action or proceeding instituted relating to this Agreement.

End of The Nasdaq Subscriber Agreement.