Terms of Use for Health Compass
Effective Date: September 22, 2024
Welcome to Health Compass! By accessing and using our website, health-compass.org (the “Website”), you agree to comply with and be bound by the following Terms of Use. These terms govern your use of the Website and any associated services. If you do not agree to these terms, please refrain from using the Website.
1. Introduction
This Website is operated by Health Compass (referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”). The use of our Website and its services is governed by these Terms of Use and the laws of Germany. By using the Website, you agree to these terms as well as our Privacy Policy and other applicable policies and disclosures.
The terms “you” or “user” refer to any individual or entity using or accessing the Website for any reason. Health Compass may update or modify these Terms of Use at any time without prior notice. It is your responsibility to review these terms regularly.
2. Use of the Website
The content provided on Health Compass is for informational and educational purposes only. The Website is intended for personal, non-commercial use. You may not:
- Modify, distribute, reproduce, or exploit any content from the Website without our express written consent.
- Use the Website for any illegal, harmful, or unauthorized purposes.
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or interfere with the normal operation of the Website.
We reserve the right to restrict or terminate access to the Website at any time for users who violate these Terms of Use or engage in unlawful activities.
3. Health Information Disclaimer
The content provided on Health Compass is for general health and wellness information and should not be considered professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, medications, or lifestyle.
The Website and its content should not be used as a substitute for professional advice, and you assume full responsibility for any decisions made based on the information provided.
Health Compass disclaims any liability for errors or omissions in the content or for any consequences resulting from the use of the information.
4. Affiliate Links and Advertising
Health Compass generates revenue through affiliate partnerships and advertising. By clicking on affiliate links and making purchases, we may earn a commission. However, we take pride in recommending only high-quality products and services that align with our mission of promoting health and well-being.
Advertising displayed on the Website does not influence editorial content. Sponsored content and advertising are clearly marked to differentiate them from the editorial materials.
5. Intellectual Property
All content on Health Compass, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, and videos, is the property of Health Compass or its licensors and is protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use of any intellectual property is strictly prohibited.
By using our Website, you agree to respect our intellectual property rights and to comply with the following guidelines.
5.1. Ownership of Content
All content provided on Health Compass is either owned by us or licensed to us by third parties. You may not modify, distribute, reproduce, publish, or create derivative works from our content without prior written permission, except as permitted under section 5.2 (Educational Use and Fair Interaction) or as otherwise allowed by law.
5.2. Educational Use and Fair Interaction
We encourage students, researchers, and educational institutions to use Health Compass as a trusted source of information. Here’s how you can interact with our content for non-commercial purposes without prior permission:
- Citing or Referencing: You are welcome to cite or reference our text-based content (such as articles and blog posts) in your academic papers, presentations, or research projects, provided that you clearly attribute Health Compass as the source.
- Quoting Brief Excerpts: You may quote brief sections of our text content (up to a reasonable length) for purposes of commentary, analysis, or discussion, as long as the source is properly credited and your use aligns with fair-use principles.
- Infographics: You are permitted to use infographics created by Health Compass for non-commercial and educational purposes without prior written permission, provided that you credit Health Compass as the source and do not alter the infographics in a way that misrepresents the original information. Distribution and publication are prohibited without prior permission.
- Compliance with Law, Decency, and Reputation: All use of Health Compass content must comply with applicable laws, maintain good taste, and adhere to common standards of decency. Additionally, the content must not be used in any manner that damages or negatively impacts the reputation of Health Compass, or promotes illegal activities.
Prior written permission is needed for:
- Usage of substantial portions of our content or reproduction of entire articles.
- Translation of our content into another language or otherwise creation of derivative works. This does not apply to brief excerpts.
- Distribution of copies of our content (printed or digital) in any form beyond a single-use basis for personal or educational research.
- Images: The use of images from Health Compass is prohibited without prior permission, including for educational or non-commercial purposes. This is due to the mixed sources of our images, which include third-party providers and free image websites, and we cannot guarantee consistent rights across all images. If you wish to use a specific image or other media (except infographics), please inquiry with us with a link to the image and we will respond as soon as we can.
- Embedded Videos: Any embedded videos on our Website are hosted on third-party platforms (such as YouTube or Vimeo). The use of these videos is governed by the copyright and usage terms of the respective platform, and we recommend reviewing their policies before using any content.
Plagiarism Reminder: Using Health Compass text or media content without proper attribution constitutes plagiarism. Always credit our Website when quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing our materials in your work. Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity and intellectual property laws.
For permission requests or further clarification, please contact us at contact@health-compass.org. We aim to make the permission process simple and quick, particularly for educational purposes.
5.3. Using Our Content for Commercial Purposes
If you wish to use our content for commercial purposes, you must obtain prior written permission from us. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Republishing our articles on another website or platform.
- Using our content in advertising or marketing campaigns.
- Selling or redistributing our content in any form.
To request permission, please contact us with details of your intended use.
5.4. Conditions for Approved Use
If we grant you permission to use or reproduce our content, the following conditions must be met:
- Health Compass must be clearly named as the source of the content.
- The content must not be altered in a way that misrepresents the original information.
- The content must not be used for illegal purposes, to promote illegal activities, or in any way that violates common standards of decency and good taste.
- You agree not to use the content in any manner that would harm or negatively impact Health Compass’s reputation.
Failure to comply with these terms may result in the revocation of permission and legal action to protect our intellectual property.
6. User-Generated Content
Health Compass may allow users to submit content, such as comments, feedback, or testimonials. By submitting any content, you grant Health Compass a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, distribute, reproduce, and display the content across all media formats.
You agree that any content you submit will not:
- Infringe on intellectual property rights or any other legal rights.
- Contain harmful, defamatory, or inappropriate material.
- Be used to promote illegal activities.
We reserve the right to remove any user-generated content that violates these terms or is deemed harmful, inappropriate, or offensive.
7. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Health Compass shall not be held liable for any damages, including direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, arising from your use of the Website, whether due to errors, omissions, or reliance on information provided.
Health Compass makes no guarantees or warranties regarding the Website’s availability, functionality, or accuracy. Your use of the Website is entirely at your own risk.
8. Third-Party Links
Our Website may contain links to third-party websites or services. These links are provided for your convenience and do not imply endorsement. Health Compass has no control over third-party websites, and we are not responsible for their content, accuracy, or privacy practices.
You agree that Health Compass is not liable for any damages or losses resulting from your use of third-party websites.
We recommend reviewing the terms of use and privacy policies of any third-party website you visit.
9. Privacy Policy
We value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. Please review our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to understand how we collect, use, and safeguard your information. By using the Website, you agree to both of these policies and the terms outlined therein.
10. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Health Compass, its affiliates, employees, directors, and agents from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with your use of the Website, violation of these Terms of Use, or infringement of any third-party rights.
11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Germany, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising out of these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Germany.
12. Modifications to the Website
Health Compass reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Website, including its services or content, at any time without notice. We are not liable for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Website.
13. Severability
If any provision of these Terms of Use or any other policies of Health Compass is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
14. Termination
We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to the Website without notice if you violate any provision of these Terms of Use. Upon termination, your right to use the Website will immediately cease.
15. Force Majeure
Health Compass shall not be liable for any failure to perform its obligations under these Terms of Use due to events beyond its control, including but not limited to natural disasters, wars, cyberattacks, pandemics, or other unforeseen circumstances.
16. Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute, the parties agree to attempt informal resolution through direct communication before pursuing any legal action. If informal resolution fails, the dispute shall be resolved through arbitration in accordance with the laws of Germany.
16. Miscellaneous
- Entire Agreement: These Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy and any other legal notices or policies published by Health Compass, constitute the entire agreement between you and Health Compass.
- Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision of the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy or Cookie Policy, shall not be considered a waiver of those rights.
- Headings: The section headings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these terms.
17. Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms of Use, please contact us via: