1. Acceptance of Terms
Welcome to GIST Network! This service is provided to you subject to the following Terms of Use ("TOU"), which may be updated from time to time without notice to you. You can review the current version of the TOU at any time on www.gistnetwork.org. By using this site, you are accepting these TOU and agreeing to be bound by them.
2. Purpose
GIST Network (www.gistnetwork.org) is a service provided by the GIST Network—a voluntary, non-binding public-private partnership (PPP) that seeks to support young science and technology innovators as they commercialize their products and create new businesses. The GIST Network Partners include the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Founder Institute, Gust, NestGSV, NovoED, Ponscio, Stanford Technology Ventures Program, VentureWell (formerly NCIIA), TechWadi, and the U.S. Department of State. GIST Network is a user-driven, online interactive platform that provides learning resources; connects entrepreneurs to peers, mentors, and experts; provides the latest in news, trends, and industry insight; and offers access to financing. It allows users to engage in facilitated peer-to-peer discussions, live and on-demand programming, and one-to-one mentorship.
The limited purpose of this community is to provide an informal platform for GIST Network Partners to share information with young science and technology entrepreneurs regarding business development, and for this audience to provide information, comments, and ideas to their peers and GIST Network Partners regarding the same topic in an informal, civil manner. We expect critical discussion and debate, which may include both support and criticism of U.S. policy. Contributors to the community created by this limited public forum should be respectful; malicious statements about other individuals or groups are not acceptable.
3. Description of service
The GIST Network reserve the right to alter the types of features that GIST Network provides at any time with no notice to Users.
4. Privacy Policy
By using or accessing this site, you are accepting the practices described in the Privacy Policy Agreements of the U.S. Department of State (http://www.state.gov/misc/415.htm).
When you visit GIST Network, you provide two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose and Website use information collected as you interact with our Website. When you register with GIST Network, you provide certain personal information, such as your name, your email address, your country, and possibly other personal, company, or preference information. GIST Network and Gust use this information for supporting and enhancing your user experience, as well as providing you with the GIST Network and Gust services.
5. Security
Participation in GIST Network is voluntary. You accept responsibility for maintaining the confidentiality of your login, and for all activities that occur under your login. You agree to (a) immediately notify the GIST Network site manager of any unauthorized use of your login or account or any other breach of security, and (b) ensure that you exit from your account at the end of each session. The GIST Network cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this Section.
You post User Content on the Site at your own risk. Although GIST Network allow you to set privacy options that limit access to your pages, please be aware that no security measures are perfect or impenetrable. We cannot control the actions of other Users with whom you may choose to share your pages and information. Therefore, we cannot and do not guarantee that User Content you post on the Site will not be viewed by unauthorized persons.
6. Member Conduct
You understand that all information, data, messages or other materials ("Content"), whether publicly posted or privately transmitted, are the sole responsibility of the person from which such Content originated. This means that you, not GIST Network, are entirely responsible for all Content that you post, email, transmit or otherwise make available via the site. GIST Network does not control the Content posted except as described below and, as such, does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of such Content. You understand that by using the Service, you may be exposed to Content that is offensive, indecent or objectionable. Under no circumstances will GIST Network be liable in any way for any Content, including, but not limited to, for 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 site.
You agree not to use the site in a manner that falls outside of its limited purpose set out in these TOU. For example, you agree not to use this site to:
- post or otherwise make available threats of imminent violence or harm to any individual or group; obscene, vulgar, or lewd material; fraudulent statements; terms commonly understood to constitute profanity, or to constitute personally abusive or degrading slurs or epithets directed at another individual;
- impersonate any actual person, entity, corporation, government or representative thereof;
- post or otherwise make available any Content that you do not have a right to make available, including but not limited to material restricted by intellectual property or other proprietary rights, material that is classified or otherwise legally protected, or material protected by contractual or fiduciary obligations;
- post or otherwise make available personally identifiable information about yourself or other individuals that could be misused, such as for identity theft, including visa application information (this restriction is intended to protect you and others);
- post or otherwise make available any advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes" or any other form of solicitation;
- post or otherwise make available any malware or other material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment; or designed to gather sensitive information or gain privileged access to private computer systems; or
- stalk, harass or otherwise harm another individual or group.
You acknowledge that GIST Network does not pre-screen all Content, but that GIST Network shall have the right (but not the obligation) in its sole discretion to edit, delete, refuse or move any Content that is available via the site. Without limiting the foregoing, GIST Network shall have the right to remove any Content that violates the TOU or is otherwise objectionable. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any Content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Content.
You acknowledge and agree that GIST Network and the U.S. Department of State may preserve Content and may also disclose Content if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (a) comply with legal process; (b) enforce the TOU; (c) respond to claims that any Content violates the rights of third-parties; or (d) protect the rights, property, or personal safety of the GIST Network, its users and/or the public. The GIST Network may report violent or threatening content to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
You acknowledge and agree that the GIST Network may keep a record of users' violations of these TOU in order to detect patterns of such violations and to ensure that the community remains an open forum for dialogue.
You understand that the technical processing and transmission of the site, including your Content, may involve (a) transmissions over various networks; and (b) changes to conform and adapt to technical requirements of connecting networks or devices.
You agree that the GIST Network has no responsibility or liability for the deletion of or failure to store any messages and other communications or other Content maintained or transmitted by the site.
7. Special Caution for International Use
You agree to accept responsibility for all personal conduct associated with your use of this site, including all Content posted or otherwise made available by you. You must evaluate and bear all risks associated with the transmission or use of Content on this site. Compliance with these TOU does not guarantee compliance with local and national laws of the country in which you reside. Neither the GIST Network nor the U.S. Government can protect individual users from the consequences of alleged violations of the laws or policies of other nations.
8. Content Submitted or Made Available for Inclusion on the Site
The GIST Network does not claim ownership of Content you submit or make available for inclusion on the site. Unless the Content explicitly states otherwise, all user-generated content uploaded to this site is provided pursuant to, and accompanied by, a restricted license as follows: user-generated content that is uploaded to the site will not be used for commercial purposes; no derivative works will be made; and full attribution will be given. This license is valid internationally. You specifically agree that you are providing your Content pursuant to this license to the GIST Network. You agree that your use of other users' Content will be in accordance with this license. The U.S. Department of State only claims ownership over self-generated content created by the Department of State for inclusion on this site. It does not take responsibility for the inclusion of third party links or other third party content such as articles.
9. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the U.S. Department of State, officials, agents, grantees or other partners, and the employees thereof, from any claim or demand, made by any third party due to or arising out of Content you submit, post, transmit or make available through the site; your use of the site; your connection to the site; or your violation of the TOU or any rights of a third party, and to compensate them for reasonable attorneys' fees in connection with such claims or demands.
10. No Resale of Service
You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit for any commercial purposes, any portion of the site, use of the site, or access to the site.
11. General Practices Regarding Use and Storage
You acknowledge that GIST Network may establish general practices and limits concerning use of the site, including without limitation the maximum number of days that message board postings or other uploaded Content will be retained by the site, and the maximum number of times (and the maximum duration for which) you may access the site in a given period of time. You agree that GIST Network has no responsibility or liability for the deletion or failure to store any messages and other communications or other Content maintained or transmitted by the site. You further acknowledge that GIST Network reserves the right to change these general practices and limits at any time, in its sole discretion.
12. Modifications to Service
The GIST Network reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the site (or any part thereof). You agree that the GIST Network shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the site.
13. Termination
You agree that the GIST Network, in its sole discretion, may terminate your access to the site, and remove and discard any Content within the site, for any reason, including, without limitation, for lack of use or if the GIST Network believes that you have violated or acted inconsistently with the letter or spirit of these TOU. The GIST Network may also in its sole discretion and at any time discontinue providing the site, or any part thereof. You agree that any termination of your access to the site under any provision of these TOU may be effected without prior notice, and acknowledge and agree that the GIST Network may immediately suspend your access to the site. Further, you agree that the GIST Network shall not be liable to you or any third-party for any termination of your access to the site.
14. Links
GIST Network may provide, or third parties may provide, links to other websites or resources. You acknowledge and agree that the GIST Network is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any Content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. You further acknowledge and agree that the GIST Network shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such Content, goods or services available on or through any such site or resource. The GIST Network is not responsible for the privacy practices of other web sites. You are encouraged, when you leave our site for other sites, to read the privacy statements of those sites.
15. English Language
In order to assure that members adhere to these TOU, the language of the discussions boards on the GIST Network site is English. Content posted in languages other than English may be subject to removal. An accurate translation into English must be provided if a member chooses to post content in other languages.
16. Cookies
Information Collected for Tracking and Customization (Cookies)
A cookie is a small file that a website transfers to your computer to allow it to remember specific information about your session while you are connected. Your computer will only share the information in the cookie with the website that provided it, and no other website can request it. There are two types of cookies:
Session: Session cookies last only as long as your web browser is open. Once you close your browser, the cookie is deleted. Websites may use session cookies for technical purposes such as to enable better navigation through the site, or to allow you to customize your preferences for interacting with the site.
Persistent: Persistent cookies are saved on a user's hard drive in order to determine which users are new to the site or are returning.
If you do not wish to have session or persistent cookies stored on your machine, you can turn cookies off in your browser. You will still have access to all information and resources on this website. However, turning off cookies may affect the functioning of some aspects of this website. Be aware that disabling cookies in your browser will affect cookie usage at all other websites you visit as well.
17. Contacting the Web Site
If you have any questions about these TOU or relevant privacy policies, please contact the GIST Network Support.