Terms and conditions

1 General Information and Scope

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the use of our Media Bulletin (including all versions, such as Media Bulletin Beta), which is operated by open science for open societies – os4os gemeinnützige GmbH (collectively referred to as “the Organization,” “we,” or “us”).

Media Bulletin serves three primary user groups, collectively referred to as “the User(s),” unless otherwise specified:

  1. Media and Press Personnel: Includes, but is not limited to, journalists, independent researchers, bloggers, and similar stakeholders.
  2. Scientific Institutions: Includes, but is not limited to, research organizations, academic institutions, project consortia, and other similar entities publishing press releases via Media Bulletin.
  3. General Visitors: Individuals who browse the website to access content without registering.

These Terms apply exclusively to all Users of Media Bulletin. We do not recognize any additional or conflicting terms proposed by Users. By accessing or using Media Bulletin, Users acknowledge and agree to comply with these Terms. Any deviating or supplementary conditions proposed by Users are hereby explicitly rejected unless expressly agreed upon in writing by us.


 

2 Registration with Media Bulletin

2.1 Registering with Media Bulletin

  • For Scientific Institutions: Registration requires following the steps outlined under the section titled “How to Get Started?” You must provide at least the minimum information requested during the registration process.
  • For Media and Press Personnel: Registration must be completed using the designated registration form provided by the Media Bulletin platform. To avoid confusion, ensure that you have only one active profile with us.

  • By registering, you warrant that the information provided is accurate, complete, and not misleading. Failure to provide truthful information may result in the suspension or termination of your registration.

     

2.2 What It Means to Register at Media Bulletin

Upon successful registration, you gain the following benefits and accept the following obligations:

Benefits:

  • Scientific institutions, upon registering with Media Bulletin, may configure a subscription to submit press releases according to their preferences within the framework of the Organization’s provided selection options.
  • The press releases will be sent to the Users subscribed to receive the press release updates via email as soon as they are published. However, technical issues may cause delays in delivery, for which the Organization assumes no liability.

Obligations:

By registering, you agree to:

  • Acceptance of Terms: You confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms, as well as the Privacy Policy, Imprint/Legal Notice, and License Agreement of the Organization.
  • Compliance: You agree to abide by these Terms and any other applicable rules or conditions of the Organization. This obligation applies to all registered Users.
  • Content Standards: You acknowledge that the Organization reserves the right to reject or remove any submitted content that:
  1. Does not align with the scope or mission of Media Bulletin (see also 9 Obligations).
  2. Is deemed misleading, inaccurate, or inappropriate by the Organization.
  • Communications: By registering, you consent to receiving emails and other relevant communications from the Organization, including but not limited to:
  1. Administrative updates.
  2. Legal and policy notices, including changes to these Terms.

  3. Relevant information about your use of the platform.

     

3 Conclusion of Contract

3.1 Formation of Contract

A usage contract is formed between the Users and the Organization upon the User’s successful completion of the registration process and receipt of confirmation from the Organization via email.

 

3.2 Obligations of the User

Accuracy of Information

  • The User is obligated to provide accurate and truthful information during the registration process.

  • If any information provided during registration changes, the User must promptly update the details through their account settings or notify the Organization using the contact information provided in the Legal Notice.

     

3.3 Rights of the Organization

3.3.1 Contractual Autonomy
  • The Organization reserves the right to review and, where appropriate, reject any registration request to conclude a contract with potential Users.
  • Upon request by the User, the Organization will provide reasons for any rejection.
3.3.2 Representation by Legal Entities
  • Contracts with legal entities may only be concluded through a duly authorized representative of the entity who possesses full legal capacity.

  • By submitting the registration form on behalf of a legal entity, the individual certifies that they are authorized to represent the entity and have the legal capacity to act on its behalf.

     

4 Services

The Organization provides Users with access to press releases published by registered scientific institutions.

  • Scientific institutions may submit press releases according to their preferences within the framework of the Organization’s provided selection fee policies options.

  • Subscribed press releases will be sent to Users via email as soon as they are published. However, technical issues may cause delays in delivery, for which the Organization assumes no liability.

     

5 Modification of Terms of Use

5.1 Right to Amend Terms

  • The Organization reserves the right to amend these Terms of Use at any time without providing specific reasons.

  • Users will be notified of changes at least two weeks before the amended Terms come into effect, by email.

     

5.2 Acceptance of changes

  • If Users do not object to the amended Terms within two weeks of their effective date and continue using the services, the changes will be deemed accepted.

  • Users who object to the new Terms may be restricted from further use of the Organization’s services.

     

6 Termination and cancellation of the contract

6.1 Termination by Users (Media and Press Personnel, and Scientific Institutions)

Users may terminate the contract at any time without providing reasons or following specific notice periods or formalities. A simple communication to the Organization through the provided contact channels is sufficient to effect termination.

 

6.2 Termination by the Organization

  • The Organization may terminate the contract with Users at any time by providing notice via email, subject to a two-week notice period.

  • Immediate termination without notice is permitted if the User seriously breaches these terms, and the severity of the breach justifies immediate termination considering the legitimate interests of the User.

     

6.3 Consequences of Termination

  • Upon termination, all personal data and the User’s account access will be deleted.

  • If the termination is initiated by the Organization, the affected User is prohibited from entering into another contract with the Organization.

     

7 Agreement on Jurisdiction

7.1 Governing Law

These Terms and the use of the services are governed by German law.

 

7.2 Dispute Resolution

For disputes not directly related to the services or these Terms, the courts with jurisdiction over the Organization’s registered office have exclusive jurisdiction, provided the User is a business entity or lacks a permanent residence in Germany.

 

8 Chargeable membership for scientific institutions

8.1 Eligibility and Scope

Chargeable memberships are exclusively available to scientific institutions with their own press relations office. These Users must independently manage public relations and information dissemination activities.

 

8.2 Pricing Model

On-demand publishing fees are structured based on the demand of the institute, research team, and project reach requirements. *The fees are charged in Euro (€) and it does not include VAT or local taxes

A detailed Fee Policy can be found here.

Invoices will be issued after the order is placed. Each order is valid for a period of 12 months after booking. It does not automatically renew after this time.

 

9 Obligations of users (Scientific Institutions)

9.1 Accuracy of Information

Members are required to provide accurate and complete information during registration and promptly update any changes.

 

9.2 Content Restrictions

  • Members may only distribute press releases related to research, studies, teaching, research results, science policy, or knowledge and technology transfer in the context of open science.
  • Press releases must not contain advertising and must be authored or forwarded by a member, clearly associated with the scientific institution.
  • Content, including any attached files (e.g., images), must comply with applicable laws and ethical standards.
9.2.1 Prohibited Content

Content violating laws, third-party rights, youth protection principles, or good morals is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Racist, xenophobic, abusive, threatening, harassing, offensive, or defamatory content.
  • Content inciting violence, pornography, youth-endangering material, or untruthful statements.
9.2.2 Responsibility for Content

Members are solely responsible for their posted content and any uploaded files. Violations will result in sanctions, including potential termination of the contract.

 

10. Publishing Rights & Ownership

The Users hereby grant the organization a worldwide, irrevocable, and perpetual license to use, exploit, reproduce, distribute, store, and make publicly available all contributions and content posted by the members, at the organization’s sole discretion. This includes, but is not limited to, the rights to commercialize, copy, distribute, and disseminate the content in any form or medium, now known or hereafter developed.

The Users further grant the organization the right to use the content without compensation, free of charge, and in accordance with the rights granted herein, on an irrevocable basis.

In addition, the users (scientific institutions) grant the other users (Media and Press Personnel and General Visitors) of the Media Bulletin the right to access, download, and print the posted texts and images. Users are also permitted to publish such content on their own websites without alteration, provided that the original author and source are properly credited, in accordance with citation standards.