Terms of Use

Your Acceptance
1. By using and/or visiting this website (collectively, including all content and functionality available through the meritalkslg.com domain name, the “MeriTalk State & Local website,” or “website”), you signify your agreement to (1) these terms and conditions (the “terms of use”). If you do not agree to any of these terms, the MeriTalk State & Local privacy notice, please do not use the MeriTalk State & Local website
2. Although we may attempt to notify you when major changes are made to these terms of use, you should periodically review the most up-to-date version. MeriTalk State & Local may, in its sole discretion, modify or revise these terms of use and policies at any time, and you agree to be bound by such modifications or revisions. Nothing in this agreement shall be deemed to confer any third-party rights or benefits

MeriTalk State & Local website
1. These terms of use apply to all users of the MeriTalk State & Local website, including users who are also contributors of multimedia content, information, and other materials or services on the website
2. The MeriTalk State & Local website may contain links to third-party websites that are not owned or controlled by MeriTalk State & Local. MeriTalk State & Local has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites. In addition, MeriTalk State & Local will not and cannot censor or edit the content of any third-party site. By using the MeriTalk State & Local website, you expressly relieve MeriTalk State & Local from any and all liability arising from your use of any third-party website
3. Accordingly, we encourage you to be aware when you leave the MeriTalk State & Local website and to read the terms and conditions and privacy policy of each other website that you visit

General Use of the website – Permissions and RestrictionsMeriTalk State & Local hereby grants you permission to access and use the website as set forth in these terms of use, provided that:
1. You agree not to distribute in any medium any part of the website, including but not limited to user comments (defined below), without MeriTalk State & Local’s prior written authorization
2. You agree not to alter or modify any part of the website unless expressly allowed by the functionality of the website
3. You agree not to use the website for any commercial purposes without the prior written authorization of MeriTalk State & Local. Prohibited commercial uses include any of the following actions taken without MeriTalk State & Local’s express approval:
  - Sale of access to the website or its related services on another website
  - Use of the website or its related services for the primary purpose of gaining advertising or subscription revenue
  - Sale of advertising, on the MeriTalk State & Local website or any third-party website, targeted to the content of specific user submissions or MeriTalk State & Local content
  - Any use of the website or its related services that MeriTalk State & Local finds, in its sole discretion, to use MeriTalk State & Local’s resources or user submissions with the effect of competing with or displacing the market for MeriTalk State & Local, MeriTalk State & Local content, or its user submissions
4. Prohibited commercial uses do not include:
  - Using the MeriTalk State & Local website to show MeriTalk State & Local videos on an ad-enabled blog or website, provided the primary purpose of linking to the site is not to gain advertising revenue or compete with MeriTalk State & Local
  - Any use that MeriTalk State & Local expressly authorizes in writing
5. If you link back to MeriTalk State & Local on your website, you must reference a prominent link back to MeriTalk State & Local
6. You agree not to use or launch any automated system, including without limitation, “robots,” “spiders,” or “offline readers,” that accesses the MeriTalk State & Local website in a manner that sends more request messages to the MeriTalk State & Local servers in a given period of time than a human can reasonably produce in the same period by using a conventional online Web browser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, MeriTalk State & Local grants the operators of public search engines permission to use spiders to copy materials from the site for the sole purpose of and solely to the extent necessary for creating publicly available searchable indices of the materials, but not caches or archives of such materials. MeriTalk State & Local reserves the right to revoke these exceptions either generally or in specific cases. You agree not to collect or harvest any personally identifiable information from the website, nor to use the communication systems provided by the website (e.g. comments, email) for any commercial solicitation purposes. You agree not to solicit, for commercial purposes, any users of the website with respect to their user submissions
7. In your use of the MeriTalk State & Local website, you will otherwise comply with the terms and conditions of these terms of use and all applicable local, national, and international laws and regulations
8. MeriTalk State & Local reserves the right to discontinue any aspect of the MeriTalk State & Local website at any time

Your Use of Content on the SiteIn addition to the general restrictions above, the following restrictions and conditions apply specifically to your use of content on the MeriTalk State & Local website.
1. The content on the MeriTalk State & Local website, except all user comments (as defined below), including without limitation, the text, software, scripts, graphics, photos, sounds, music, videos, interactive features, and the like (“content”) and the trademarks, service marks, and logos contained therein (“marks”), are owned by or licensed to MeriTalk State & Local, subject to copyright and other intellectual property rights under the law. Content on the website is provided to you as is for your information and personal use only and may not be downloaded, copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, broadcast, displayed, sold, licensed, or otherwise exploited for any other purposes whatsoever without the prior written consent of the respective owners. MeriTalk State & Local reserves all rights not expressly granted in and to the MeriTalk State & Local website and the content
2. User comments are made available to you for your information and personal use solely as intended through the normal functionality of the MeriTalk State & Local website. User comments are made available “as is,” and may not be used, copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, broadcasted, displayed, sold, licensed, downloaded, or otherwise exploited in any manner not intended by the normal functionality of the MeriTalk State & Local website or otherwise as prohibited under this Agreement
3. You may access MeriTalk State & Local content, user comments, and other content only as permitted under this agreement. MeriTalk State & Local reserves all rights not expressly granted in and to the MeriTalk State & Local content and the MeriTalk State & Local website.
4. You agree to not engage in the use, copying, or distribution of any of the content other than expressly permitted herein, including any use, copying, or distribution of user comments of third parties obtained through the website for any commercial purposes
5. You agree not to circumvent, disable, or otherwise interfere with security-related features of the MeriTalk State & Local website or features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any content or enforce limitations on use of the MeriTalk State & Local website or the content therein
6. You understand that when using the MeriTalk State & Local website, you will be exposed to user submissions from a variety of sources, and that MeriTalk State & Local is not responsible for the accuracy, usefulness, safety, or intellectual property rights of or relating to such user submissions. You further understand and acknowledge that you may be exposed to user submissions that are inaccurate, offensive, indecent, or objectionable, and you agree to waive, and hereby do waive, any legal or equitable rights or remedies you have or may have against MeriTalk State & Local with respect thereto, and agree to indemnify and hold MeriTalk State & Local, its Owners/Operators, affiliates, and/or licensors, harmless to the fullest extent allowed by law regarding all matters related to your use of the website

Your User Submissions and Conduct
1. A MeriTalk State & Local website user may submit textual content (“user comments”). You understand that whether or not such user comments are published, MeriTalk State & Local does not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any user submissions
2. You shall be solely responsible for your own user comments and the consequences of posting or publishing them. In connection with user submissions, you affirm, represent, and/or warrant that: you own or have the necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions to use and authorize MeriTalk State & Local to use all patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other proprietary rights in and to any and all user submissions to enable inclusion and use of the user submissions in the manner contemplated by the website and these terms of use.
3. In connection with user comments, you further agree that you will not submit material that is copyrighted, protected by trade secret, or otherwise subject to third-party proprietary rights, including privacy and publicity rights, unless you are the owner of such rights or have permission from their rightful owner to post the material and to grant MeriTalk State & Local all of the license rights granted herein
4. MeriTalk State & Local does not endorse any user comment or any opinion, recommendation, or advice expressed therein, and MeriTalk State & Local expressly disclaims any and all liability in connection with user comments. MeriTalk State & Local does not permit copyright infringing activities and infringement of intellectual property rights on its website, and MeriTalk State & Local will remove all content and user submissions if properly notified that such content or user submission infringes on another’s intellectual property rights. MeriTalk State & Local reserves the right to remove content and user comments without prior notice

Digital Millennium Copyright Act
1. If you are a copyright owner or an agent thereof and believe that any user submission or other content infringes upon your copyrights, you may submit a notification pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) by providing the following information in writing (see 17 U.S.C 512(c)(3) for further detail):
  - A physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed
  - Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works at a single online site are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works at that site
  - Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled and information reasonably sufficient to permit the service provider to locate the material
  - Information reasonably sufficient to permit the service provider to contact you, such as an address, telephone number, and, if available, an email address
  - A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law and
  - A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed
2. Counter-Notice. If you believe that your user comment that was removed (or to which access was disabled) is not infringing, or that you have the authorization from the copyright owner, the copyright owner’s agent, or pursuant to the law, to post and use the content in your user submission, you may send a counter-notice containing the following information to the copyright agent:
  - Your physical or electronic signature
  - Identification of the content that has been removed or to which access has been disabled and the location at which the content appeared before it was removed or disabled
  - A statement that you have a good faith belief that the content was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or a misidentification of the content and
  - Your name, address, telephone number, and email address, a statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, and a statement that you will accept service of process from the person who provided notification of the alleged infringement

If a counter-notice is received by the copyright agent, MeriTalk State & Local may send a copy of the counter-notice to the original complaining party informing that person that it may replace the removed content or cease disabling it in 10 business days. Unless the copyright owner files an action seeking a court order against the content provider, member or user, the removed content may be replaced, or access to it restored, in 10 to 14 business days or more after receipt of the counter-notice, at MeriTalk State & Local’s sole discretion.

1. Acceptable Use

You are solely responsible for any and all acts and omissions that occur during or relating to your use of the website, and you agree not to engage in unacceptable use of the website, which includes, without limitation, use of the website to:

1. Harm or threaten to harm users or members of the general public in any way, or “stalk” or otherwise harass any other person or entity;
2. Post or transmit any Content that is unlawful, false or misleading, grossly offensive, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, libelous, invasive of another’s privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically, or otherwise objectionable;
3. Disseminate or transmit “spam,” unsolicited messages, chain letters, any advertisements, solicitations, pyramid schemes, investment opportunities, or other unsolicited commercial communication;
4. Purchase, sell, or offer to purchase or sell any equity or security or market instrument; provide information designed to manipulate any equity or security or market; or disseminate or transmit any material, non-public information about companies without authorization to do so;
5. Collect, use, or store any personally identifiable information about other users, or otherwise violate the personal privacy rights of others;
6. Impersonate any person or entity (including a website agent, user, or moderator), or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
7. Post any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, or any other form of solicitation except in areas that are expressly designated by the website for such purpose;
8. Disseminate or transmit any Content that infringes or violates any party’s copyright, trademark, trade secret, patent, or other proprietary right; or use or distribute third-party information (whether or not protected as a trade secret) in violation of a duty of confidentiality, fiduciary duty, or similar duty;
9. Violate any law (whether Federal, local, state, or international), whether or not intentionally;
10. Forge headers or otherwise intentionally disguise the origin of any Content or communication; interfere with or disrupt the website, or servers or networks connected to the website; or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies, or regulations of networks connected to the website;
11. Post any Content related to partisan political campaigning or fundraising;
12. Express or imply that any statements you make are endorsed by us;
13. Modify, adapt, sub-license, translate, sell, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any portion of the website;
14. Obtain, copy, monitor, index, or data mine through the use of a robot, spider, any automated device, or any manual process, the website or the contents (except as expressly permitted by MeriTalk State & Local);
15. Remove any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights notices contained in the website;
16. “Frame” or “mirror” any part of the website; or
17. Engage in any other activity deemed by MeriTalk State & Local to be in conflict with the spirit or intent of this agreement or that might violate the rights of others or give rise to liability.

You understand that by using the website, you may be exposed to Content that may offend you or challenge your beliefs. Your remedy is to avoid such Content by discontinuing your access.

Warranty DisclaimerYOU AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE MeriTalk State & Local website SHALL BE AT YOUR SOLE RISK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, MeriTalk State & Local, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN CONNECTION WITH THE website AND YOUR USE THEREOF. MeriTalk State & Local MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THIS SITE’S CONTENT OR THE CONTENT OF ANY SITES LINKED TO THIS SITE AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY (I) ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES OF CONTENT, (II) PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE MeriTalk State & Local website, (III) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE MeriTalk State & Local SECURE SERVERS AND/OR ANY AND ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION STORED THEREIN, (IV) ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM THE MeriTalk State & Local website, (IV) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, OR THE LIKE WHICH MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE MeriTalk State & Local website BY ANY THIRD PARTY, AND/OR (V) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ANY CONTENT OR FOR 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 MeriTalk State & Local website. MeriTalk State & Local DOES NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ADVERTISED OR OFFERED BY A THIRD PARTY THROUGH THE MeriTalk State & Local website OR ANY HYPERLINKED website OR FEATURED IN ANY BANNER OR OTHER ADVERTISING, AND MeriTalk State & Local WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO OR IN ANY WAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. AS WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE THROUGH ANY MEDIUM OR IN ANY ENVIRONMENT, YOU SHOULD USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT AND EXERCISE CAUTION WHERE APPROPRIATE.

Limitation of LiabilityIN NO EVENT SHALL MeriTalk State & Local, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM ANY (I) ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES OF CONTENT, (II) PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE MeriTalk State & Local website, (III) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE MeriTalk State & Local SECURE SERVERS AND/OR ANY AND ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION STORED THEREIN, (IV) ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM THE MeriTalk State & Local website, (IV) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, OR THE LIKE, WHICH MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE MeriTalk State & Local website BY ANY THIRD PARTY, AND/OR (V) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ANY CONTENT OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF ANY CONTENT POSTED, emailED, TRANSMITTED, OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE MeriTalk State & Local website, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE COMPANY IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE FOREGOING LIMITATION OF LIABILITY SHALL APPLY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW IN THE APPLICABLE JURISDICTION.YOU SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MeriTalk State & Local SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR USER SUBMISSIONS OR THE DEFAMATORY, OFFENSIVE, OR ILLEGAL CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY AND THAT THE RISK OF HARM OR DAMAGE FROM THE FOREGOING RESTS ENTIRELY WITH YOU.The website is controlled and offered by MeriTalk State & Local from its facilities in the United States of America. MeriTalk State & Local makes no representations that the MeriTalk State & Local website is appropriate or available for use in other locations. Those who access or use the MeriTalk State & Local website from other jurisdictions do so at their own volition and are responsible for compliance with local law.

IndemnityYou agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless MeriTalk State & Local, its parent corporation, officers, directors, employees, and agents, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees) arising from: (i) your use of and access to the MeriTalk State & Local website; (ii) your violation of any term of these terms of use; (iii) your violation of any third-party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right; or (iv) any claim that one of your user submissions caused damage to a third party. This defense and indemnification obligation will survive these terms of use and your use of the MeriTalk State & Local website.

Ability to Accept Terms of UseYou affirm that you are either more than 18 years of age, or an emancipated minor, or possess legal parental or guardian consent, and are fully able and competent to enter into the terms, conditions, obligations, affirmations, representations, and warranties set forth in these terms of use, and to abide by and comply with these terms of use.

AssignmentThese terms of use, and any rights and licenses granted hereunder, may not be transferred or assigned by you, but may be assigned by MeriTalk State & Local without restriction.

GeneralYou agree that: (i) the MeriTalk State & Local website shall be deemed solely based in Virginia; and (ii) the MeriTalk State & Local website shall be deemed a passive website that does not give rise to personal jurisdiction over MeriTalk State & Local, either specific or general, in jurisdictions other than Virginia. These terms of use shall be governed by the internal substantive laws of the State of Virginia, without respect to its conflict of laws principles. Any claim or dispute between you and MeriTalk State & Local that arises in whole or in part from the MeriTalk State & Local website shall be decided exclusively by a court of competent jurisdiction located in Alexandria, Virginia. These terms of use, together with the privacy notice at 21centurystate.com/privacy/ and any other legal notices published by MeriTalk State & Local on the website, shall constitute the entire agreement between you and MeriTalk State & Local concerning the MeriTalk State & Local website. If any provision of these terms of use is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these terms of use, which shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any term of this these terms of use shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term, and MeriTalk State & Local’s failure to assert any right or provision under these terms of use shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. MeriTalk State & Local reserves the right to amend these terms of use at any time and without notice, and it is your responsibility to review these terms of use for any changes. Your use of the MeriTalk State & Local website following any amendment of these terms of use will signify your assent to and acceptance of its revised terms. YOU AND MeriTalk State & Local AGREE THAT ANY CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE MeriTalk State & Local website MUST COMMENCE WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES. OTHERWISE, SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION IS PERMANENTLY BARRED.

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	1 year	Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category .
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Duration	Description
__atuvc	1 year 1 month	AddThis sets this cookie to ensure that the updated count is seen when one shares a page and returns to it, before the share count cache is updated.
__atuvs	30 minutes	AddThis sets this cookie to ensure that the updated count is seen when one shares a page and returns to it, before the share count cache is updated.

Cookie	Duration	Description
at-rand	never	AddThis sets this cookie to track page visits, sources of traffic and share counts.
CONSENT	2 years	YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
uvc	1 year 1 month	Set by addthis.com to determine the usage of addthis.com service.
_ga	2 years	The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gid	1 day	Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
__gads	1 year 24 days	The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites.

Cookie	Duration	Description
IDE	1 year 24 days	Google DoubleClick IDE cookies are used to store information about how the user uses the website to present them with relevant ads and according to the user profile.
loc	1 year 1 month	AddThis sets this geolocation cookie to help understand the location of users who share the information.
test_cookie	15 minutes	The test_cookie is set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE	5 months 27 days	A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSC	session	YSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devices	never	YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video.
yt-remote-device-id	never	YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video.
yt.innertube::nextId	never	This cookie, set by YouTube, registers a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
yt.innertube::requests	never	This cookie, set by YouTube, registers a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
_mkto_trk	2 years	This cookie, provided by Marketo, has information (such as a unique user ID) that is used to track the user's site usage. The cookies set by Marketo are readable only by Marketo.

Cookie	Duration	Description
GoogleAdServingTest	session	No description
xtc	1 year 1 month	No description