Forum Terms of Service

1. Preamble

The following Terms of Service (ToS) govern all use of the Heritage Research Forum, below designated as HRF. They do not apply to the Heritage Research Hub.

As an extension of the Heritage Research Hub, the HRF is an online platform providing services (see article 2) for registered users. It targets, in a non-exclusive way, heritage research community.

The Heritage Research Hub and the HRF were both initiated and are now operated under the framework of the Joint Programming Initiative on Cultural Heritage and Global Change (JPI CH). The central coordinating and legally responsible body of the JPI CH is the is the Coordinator of the JPI CH represented by the French Ministry of Culture and its operator, the Fondation des Sciences du Patrimoine (FSP). For the purpose of this agreement, the FSP is liable for the HRF.

HRF offers online services with interactive features. These are:

• Groups, gathering users:
  • A common feed allowing discussions, content and documents exchanges;
  • A shared document folder;
  • Creation of sub-groups;
• Interactions, with other Users:
  • Features to search and consult other user profiles;
  • Direct messages between users;
  • Creation of collective online discussions through the Messages feature

HRF’s services do not include:

• Edition and management of personal profiles
• Navigation on the Heritage Research Hub
• Creation and edition of webpages on the Heritage Research Hub (News, Event, Project, Training and Vacancies, Member Page, Funding)

Any person residing within or outside the EU that is at least 13 years old can use the Service. Minors (under the age of 18) must have their parent or legal guardian’s permission to use the Service. Parents or legal guardians of a minor are bound by these Terms and are responsible for their child’s use of the Service.

When signing up for the HRF, users agree to the terms and conditions set out below. In case there are additional group-related Terms and Conditions, users agree to those as well. Users who do not agree to the Terms and Conditions must not sign up for the HRF. Users who already had an account on the Heritage Research Hub created before the deployment of the HRF can request for their account to be deleted by writing to contact@heritageresearch-hub.eu.

Views and opinions expressed on the HRF are those of the users and do not reflect those of the FSP and the members of the JPI CH. The HRF cannot be held responsible for them.

The HRF cannot guarantee that information from external sources and Content provided by Users made available on the forum is reliable or up to date. The information on the HRF and activities may link to external sites or applications over which the HRF has no control and for which it can accept no responsibility.

During the registration process, personal data will be collected and further processed for the purposes detailed hereafter.

2. Role of the users

Users are responsible for the content they share, post, and upload to the HRF.

They commit to respecting the human dignity and rights of each individual and community with whom they interact on the HRF.

Nothing in these Terms gives any User of the Service the right to:

• claim ownership of any intellectual property rights in the Service or the Content published on it;
• reproduce, distribute, sell, license or modify any part of the Service or any Content except as allowed by these Terms or as permitted by applicable law;
• circumvent or disable security features of the Service, fraudulently engage in or otherwise disrupt the functioning of the Service;
• access the Service using automated means such as bots, etc.;
• collect or use personal data of other Users of the Service, unless permitted by the persons concerned;
• use the Service to distribute spam;
• use the Service to distribute commercial or political content;
• use the Service to sell any kind of goods or services.

3. Data protection

User data will only be used by HRF as reasonably required for providing services as contemplated hereunder and in accordance with HRF Privacy Policy (https://www.heritageresearch-hub.eu/privacy-policy/) and all applicable data privacy laws and regulations laws (including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as and when it became enforceable on May 25, 2018) (collectively, “Data Privacy Policy and Rules”). Both HRF and its users will comply in all material respects with the Data Privacy Policy and Rules and will provide such help and cooperation as is reasonably necessary or requested to the other to comply with the same.

Subject to the terms of this Section, users acknowledge and agree that HRF may use all data they provided or collected by the services, including but not limited to data related to service utilisation and user data, on a historical, aggregated and anonymous basis (collectively, “Aggregate Data”) in compliance with applicable laws and HRF Privacy Policy to provide the services, including but not limited to the distribution and provision of the Aggregate Data to other HRF users and for the preparation and distribution of benchmarking, research, and/or analytical materials. HRF shall maintain appropriate security measures for all collected data in accordance with these Terms.

Unless it has a user’s written permission, HRF will not disclose or share personally identifiable information collected on the Site with any third party (except as required by law, pursuant to a governmental request, or for purposes of providing users with the services).

Users acknowledge and agree that transmitting, processing, or storing sensitive personal information (as defined below) is not necessary for the use of the HRF. HRF shall bear no risk or liability for the use of its services for such purposes.

3.1 General remarks on visibility

Users determine if their profiles and related data (e.g. biography, interest) are publicly visible on the website or platform. By default, only the nickname is visible to other registered users. HRF, the admins as specified under “Contact” on the website may use your contact data to assist users if required.

3.2 How long do we keep users’ data?

User data will be kept for active users as long as the HRF services are available, unless they request the deletion of a part of all of their user data or a deletion of their account by writing to contact@heritageresearch-hub.eu. These requests are processed by the HRF in less than two months.

In the case of the closure of the HRF, all user data will be deleted in less than 6 months after the effective closure date of the services.

3.3 Inserting

During the registration process, users are requested to provide data as indicated on the registration forms. Inserted data must be correct and must not violate any laws or other person(s) and/or organisation(s) rights. Users can edit and modify their data at any time.

3.4 Editing by the admins

Admins have the right to modify the submitted data for quality enhancement. The HRF and the admins need to maintain the quality of the Forum and Services. Therefore, it might be necessary to assess the accuracy and integrity of user data and correct, erase, or rectify any data collected from users, also if there is a need for event-related adjustments. By using the forum, users consent to the aforementioned data corrections described. If users do not agree, please inform HRF.

3.5 Deleting data

User accounts can be deleted at any time. Please note that in such cases, all data users have published will be deleted. The HRF will keep records regarding the time when users have deleted their accounts. Users can also request the deletion of their profiles via the admins. Usually, a request for deletion of a user’s profile is processed in due course. In case users request is not processed within a reasonable period of time please contact HRF (contact@heritageresearch-hub.eu).

4. Changing Terms of Use

The HRF may modify these terms at its sole discretion. Users will be notified about an upcoming change on the HRF website prior to its effective date. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly check the terms section on the HRF website for any updates. Changes to the terms will only apply if users accept them during the next logging session. If not, users can opt for the deleting of their accounts.

5. Website Content

The static pages of the HRF are edited by the admins. The HRF may contain links to third-party websites. The HRF shall not be liable for these external websites.

5.1 User’s profiles

User profiles are created and edited by the users. HRF is neither obliged nor has the capacity to assess, inspect or examine any of these data. Should users materially breach any provisions of these Terms or any statutory laws, HRF shall be entitled to temporarily or permanently lock user profiles and or event websites as well as delete any unlawful data or information hosted on the platform. Users are obliged to deploy adequate technical and organisational measures to prevent misuse of HRF services (especially access by non-authorized persons). Data and content published on our forum or website shall adhere to operating, legal or ethical rules, the general code of good conduct, moral standards and/or public order.

6. Copyright

The forum itself, the graphics, images, PDFs, and similar content of the HRF might be protected by Copyright Law. It is, therefore, not allowed to edit, copy or publish such content without the explicit prior written consent of the HRF or the mentioned sole owner of the copyright. Users will also not undertake any technical action that violates the copyright of HRF or the mentioned copyright owner.

Users agree that the HRF and its admins can use content published by users irrevocably for the purposes described in these Terms. As long as the HRF and its admins are granted the right mentioned above, users are liable for the published content and any damages resulting from any violation or breach of any third party’s rights (especially copyright). Users shall hold the HRF and the admins harmless in this respect.

7. Technical Information

7.1 Data security

The HRF undertakes various technical measures in accordance with data protection law to prevent abuse from outside. HRF undertakes all necessary measures to avoid any loss of data. In the very unlikely case that data are lost, HRF does not assume any liability for any loss of data.

7.2 Disorders of Online Access

The HRF cannot guarantee constant accessibility or functionality of the Forum or a cloud-service. It shall not be liable for any defects that may exist or for any costs, loss of profit, loss of data or consequential loss arising from the use of the forum or website or any inability to access the forum as well as from any incorrect information.

8. User Obligations and Consent

Users hereby agree to only use the forum in accordance with these Terms and/or additional Terms and applicable laws and regulations.

Users are responsible for any content provided which is published on this forum or the website.

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless HRF and the admins for any loss or damage, including any legal, administrative or technical charges, that may arise from misuse.

9. Consequences of Breaching Terms of Use

In case of any infringements of these terms of service, the HRF reserves the right to delete user accounts, related data, and the content they publish.

10. Limitations of Liability

The HRF neither endorses nor examines any of the material or documents submitted to us and/or posted on the website. This includes the accuracy of any text, information, data, representations, statements or other material of whatsoever kind. It shall not be liable, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws, for any direct or indirect damages or losses resulting from gross negligence in connection with the forum This exclusion shall apply in respect of, without being limited to, any interruption of service, lost profits, loss of contracts or business opportunity, loss of data, or any other consequential, incidental, special, or punitive damages, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages, whether arising in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise.

11. Law Applicable and Place of Jurisdiction

This agreement is governed in all respects by the laws of France. Any controversy, claim, or dispute arising out of or relating to the Agreement shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts of Cergy.

Version in force as of 26/04/2024