John, At http://www.ifi.uio.no/inint/emne01a.html it notes: The net turns commercial • 1989: The US DoD decommissions the ARPAnet, and the Internet infrastructure emerges as a web of independent and interconnected networks, with separate funding and ownership, but all sharing the same underlying technology (IP). Commercial traffic is, however, officially excluded by the AUP (Acceptable Use Policy). • The Net emerges as an increasingly important commercial vehicle. Companies who have publicly sponsored Internet-connections because they have research contracts reap huge commercial benefits from being connected to the net. The AUP becomes impossible to police, and is in some circles viewed as arbitrary and unfair. • At a network conference in Australia in December 1989 (attended by 29 people), Rick Adams of UUNET announced that he intend to provide Internet connections on a commercial basis. The NSFnet rep. (Steven Goldstein) responded that he applauded the initiative. Cybercollegially, Charles Wankel St. John's University, New York City -----Original Message----- Does anybody know when Internet's AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) started? John   Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com.