Terms and conditions

This website (the “Website”) is owned and operated by Elsevier BV (“Elsevier”) on behalf of the institutional members of the Dutch Open Science Agreement, VSNU, NFU, NWO, VH, KNAW, and Elsevier.

These terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”) apply to your use of the Website and any applications, services and products (“Services” or individually a “Service”) that post a link to these Terms and Conditions. By accessing or using the Website or any Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions expressly incorporate by reference and include the Website’s Privacy Policy and any guidelines, policies or additional terms or disclaimers that may be posted and/or updated on the Website or on notices that are sent to you. If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions, please do not use the Website.

 

Using our Website

Unless otherwise set out herein, content comprised within the Website, including text, graphics, user interfaces, visual interfaces, photographs, trademarks, logos, videos, audio, images, applications, programs, computer code and other information (collectively, the “Content”), including but not limited to the design, layout, “look and feel” and arrangement of such Content, is owned by Elsevier, its licensors or its content providers and is protected by copyright, trademark and other intellectual property and unfair competition laws.

RELX and the RE symbol are trade marks of RELX Group plc, used under license.

Except as otherwise provided in any additional terms for a Service, you may print or download Content from the Website for your own personal, non-commercial, informational or scholarly use, provided that you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices.

You may not copy, display, distribute, modify, publish, reproduce, store, transmit, post, translate or create other derivative works from, or sell, rent or license all or any part of the Content, or products or services obtained from the Website, in any medium to anyone, except as otherwise expressly permitted under these Terms and Conditions, or any relevant license or subscription agreement or authorization by us.

You may not reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile or translate any software in the Content, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code of such software, except to the extent expressly permitted under applicable law, without our prior written permission. You may not engage in the systematic retrieval of Content from the Website to create or compile, directly or indirectly, a collection, compilation, database or directory without our prior written permission.

You may not use any robots, spiders, crawlers or other automated downloading programs, algorithms or devices, or any similar or equivalent manual process, to: (i) continuously and automatically search, scrape, extract, deep link or index any Content; (ii) harvest personal information from the Website for purposes of sending unsolicited or unauthorized material; or (iii) cause disruption to the working of the Website or any other person’s use of the Website. If the Website contains robot exclusion files or robot exclusion headers, you agree to honor them and not use any device, software or routine to bypass them. You may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion or feature of the Website, any other systems or networks connected to the Website or to any Elsevier server, or any of the products or services provided on, accessed from or distributed through the Website. You may not probe, scan or test the vulnerability of the Website or any network connected to the Website or breach or attempt to breach the security or authentication measures on the Website or any network connected to the Website.

You may not, without the approval of Elsevier, use the Website to publish or distribute any advertising, promotional material, or solicitation to other users of the Website to use any goods or services. For example (but without limitation), you may not use the Website to conduct any business, to solicit the performance of any activity that is prohibited by law, or to solicit other users to become subscribers of other information services. Similarly, you may not use the Website to download and redistribute public information or shareware for personal gain or distribute multiple copies of public domain information or shareware.

 

Notification of infringement

Notifications regarding any alleged intellectual property infringement should be directed to the Elsevier Legal Department by email addressed to DMCA@elsevier.com.

 

Links

The Website may contain links to third-party sites or resources. We do not endorse and are not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products or other materials on or available from external sites or resources linked to the Website. Transactions that occur between you and any third party are strictly between you and the third party and are not the responsibility of Elsevier.

Elsevier welcomes you to link to the Website. You may establish a hypertext link to the Website, provided that the link does not state or imply any sponsorship or endorsement of your site, company, product and/or service by Elsevier. You may not use on your site any trademarks, service marks or copyrighted materials appearing on the Website, including but not limited to any logos, without the express written consent or an explicit license of the owner of the mark or right. You may not frame or otherwise incorporate into another site any of the Content or other materials on the Website without prior written consent of Elsevier.

 

Disclaimer of warranties and liability

We provide the Website using a commercially reasonable level of skill and care, but neither Elsevier nor its suppliers or licensors make any specific promises about the Website, including the Content therein. For example, we don’t make any commitment that the operation of the Website will be uninterrupted or error-free; that any defects will be corrected; that the Website, including the server that makes them available, are free of viruses or other harmful components; or as to the accuracy, completeness, reliability, availability, suitability, quality, non-infringement, operation or result obtained from the use of any Content provided on, accessible from or distributed through the Website.

ELSEVIER AND ITS SUPPLIERS AND LICENSORS PROVIDE THE WEBSITE AND ALL CONTENT OR SERVICES INCLUDED IN OR ACCESSIBLE FROM THE WEBSITE “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND (EXPRESS, IMPLIED AND STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF TITLE AND NONINFRINGEMENT AND THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE), ALL OF WHICH ELSEVIER AND ITS SUPPLIERS AND LICENSORS DISCLAIM TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE AND ALL CONTENT OR SERVICES INCLUDED IN OR ACCESSIBLE FROM THE WEBSITE ARE AT YOUR SOLE RISK.

To the extent permitted under applicable law, neither Elsevier nor its suppliers and licensors assume responsibility for any injury and/or damage to persons, animals or property as a matter of products liability, malpractice, failure to warn, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any ideas, instructions, methods, tests, products or procedures displayed on the Website or incorporated in the Content included in or accessible from the Website. Practitioners and researchers must rely on their own experience, knowledge and judgment in evaluating or applying any information, which remains their professional responsibility.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences and changes in government regulations and clearances, we recommend that independent verification of diagnoses, treatments, indications choice of drugs and drug dosages should be made. Discussions, views, and recommendations expressed may not be considered absolute and universal for every situation. Elsevier remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Elsevier will not be liable for the failure by any user of the Website, Content or any Service to use due care in the use and validation of results made available through the Website or included in the Content or any Service, nor will Elsevier be liable for any medical treatment provided by users to their patients, whether or not the Website, Content or Service were used in connection with such treatment.

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL ELSEVIER OR ITS SUPPLIERS OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR SIMILAR DAMAGES, PERSONAL INJURY (INCLUDING DEATH), LOSS OF PROFITS, CORRUPTION OR LOSS OF DATA, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE WEBSITE,THE CONTENT OR ANY SERVICE, OR SHALL THE LIABILITY OF ELSEVIER OR ITS SUPPLIERS AND LICENSORS EXCEED A SUM EQUAL TO THE FEES PAID BY YOU HEREUNDER, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Elsevier does not claim ownership, endorse or take responsibility for any third-party products, information, guidelines, materials or Website that may be offered, advertised, provided or displayed on the Website or incorporated in the Content or Services contained on, accessible from or distributed through the Website.

 

Indemnification

You hereby agree to indemnify and hold Elsevier, its directors, officers, shareholders, predecessors, successors in interest, employees, agents, suppliers and licensors harmless from and against any and all third-party claims of liability, losses, damages and costs, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ or legal fees, arising out of or in connection with your violation of these Terms and Conditions, and your use of or inability to use any of the Website, the Content or the Services.

 

Registered user grant of license

To the extent the Website requires you to register, you agree to provide accurate and complete registration information. It is your responsibility to inform Elsevier of any changes to that information. Each registration is for a single individual only, unless specifically designated otherwise on the registration page. Elsevier does not permit a) anyone other than you to use the sections requiring registration by using your name or password; or b) access through a single name being made available to multiple users on a network or otherwise. As a registered user of a Service, Elsevier grants to you a non-transferable, non-exclusive and revocable license to use the Service according to these Terms and Conditions. Except as expressly granted herein or in any other agreement you have with Elsevier, you acquire no right, title or license in the Website, Service or any Content or Submission accessed from or incorporated in the Website.

 

Password use and security

If you use a password to access the Website, you must not reveal your password and must take reasonable steps to keep your password confidential and secure. You agree to immediately notify Elsevier if you become aware of or have reason to believe that there is any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security. Elsevier is in no way liable for any claims or losses related to the use or misuse of your password or account due to the activities of any third party outside of our control or due to your failure to maintain their confidentiality and security.

 

About these terms and conditions

Term and Termination: Any license granted to you to use the Website or any Service is effective until it expires, until Elsevier terminates it, or until you provide notice to Elsevier of your decision to terminate it. Your rights under the license will terminate automatically without notice to you if you fail to comply with any of the provisions of these Terms and Conditions. Elsevier reserves the right to suspend, discontinue or change a Service, or its availability to you, at any time without notice. Upon termination of the license to a Service, you shall cease all use of the Service.

Export Controls: Where the Service or its Content consist of software that is subject to US, EU or any other Export Controls, you represent and warrant that (i) you are not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. Government, EU  or other embargo, or that has been designated by the U.S. Government or the EU as a “terrorist supporting” country; and (ii) you are not listed on any U.S. Government, EU or any other list of prohibited or restricted parties.

No Assignment: You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms and Conditions to anyone.

No Waiver: Neither failure nor delay on the part of Elsevier to exercise or enforce any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder nor course of dealing between the parties shall operate as a waiver thereof, or of the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. No part of these Terms and Conditions shall be deemed waived, and no breach consented to, unless such waiver or consent shall be in writing and signed by the party claimed to have waived or consented. No waiver of any rights or consent to any breaches shall constitute a waiver of any other rights or consent to any other breach.

Additional Terms: Additional or superseding terms and conditions may apply to purchases or supply of goods or services including intellectual property, to specific portions or features of the Website or a Service, and to subscriptions or licenses with institutions with which you may be employed or affiliated. If there is a conflict between these Terms and Conditions and the terms that are posted for or applicable to a specific portion of the Website or Service, for any service offered on or through the Service, or set forth in an institutional subscription or license agreement, the latter terms shall control.

Compliance with Laws: You agree to comply with relevant laws and regulations that apply to your use of the Website or Content.

Severability: If any provision in these Terms and Conditions is held invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Governing Laws and Venue: All matters relating to your access to or use of the Website, including all disputes, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The Netherlands, without regard to its conflicts of law principles, except if you reside outside of the European Union, then the laws of the country of the Elsevier regional office in the region where you reside will apply. The exclusive jurisdiction and venue with respect to any action or suit arising out of or pertaining to the subject matter hereof shall be the courts of competent jurisdiction located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, except if you reside outside of the European Union, then the courts located in the country of the Elsevier regional office in the region where you reside will have exclusive jurisdiction. Any claim arising out of or in connection with your use of or inability to use the Service or the Content must be brought within one (1) year after the event or such claim is barred.

Changes: Elsevier reserves the right to change, modify, add or remove portions of these Terms and Conditions at its sole discretion at any time and without prior notice. Please check these Terms and Conditions periodically for any modifications. Your continued use of the Website or any Service following the posting of any changes will mean that you have accepted and agreed to the changes.

 

Last revised:  23 February 2022