Terms of Use OPERAS

Thank you for visiting our websites and using the products and services provided by the OPERAS AISBL (also known and hereafter referred to as OPERAS), located at rue Quai aux Briques 76, 1000 Brussels, Belgium (the “Provider”). These Terms of Use (“ToU”) are a binding legal contract between you and the Provider. The ToU governs your access to and the use of the Provider’s websites, together with all content and services available at or through any service linking to this ToU (the “Services”). 

IMPORTANT: Please read the ToU carefully before using the Services. Using the Services indicates that you accept and agree to be bound by the ToU. Do not use the Services if you do not accept the ToU. The Provider may change or modify the Services or the ToU at any time. Such changes, revisions, or modifications shall be effective immediately upon being posted in relation to the Services. Any use of the Services by you after we post changes to the ToU constitutes your acceptance of those changes.

THIS ToU CONTAINS DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES (SECTION 11), DISCLAIMERS OF LIABILITY, AND AN EXCLUSIVE REMEDY (SECTION 12), AS WELL AS INFORMATION ABOUT CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON YOUR ABILITY TO BRING A CLAIM AGAINST US (SECTION 16).

The minimum age to use the Services is 16 years. Services are only offered to users that are at least 16 years old. Any person who registers as a user or provides his/her personal information on the Services represents that they are 16 years of age or older.

1. Your Content 

You guarantee that you own any copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights in any content you upload to the Services (“Content”). You are entirely responsible for the content of, and for any harm resulting from, the content made available by means of the Services. That is the case regardless of what form the content and materials take, which includes, but is not limited to video, text, photo, or other material. By making content available, you represent and warrant that your content does not violate these ToU. 

When you upload or submit content to our Services, you grant the Provider a worldwide and royalty-free licence to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, communicate, adapt, and publish the content solely for the purpose of, providing and improving our Services as well as developing new ones. 

For more information on how we use information that falls under the definition of “personal data”, please read our Privacy Policy. 

We are not liable for the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness, or legality of files, user posts, or any other content that is accessible on the Provider’s server and in your account. Without limiting any of those representations or warranties, the Provider has the right (though not the obligation) to, in its sole discretion (i) refuse or remove any content that, in the Provider’s reasonable opinion, violates our policy or ToU or Privacy Policy or is in any way harmful or objectionable, or (ii) terminate or deny access to and use of the Services. 

2. Access and Use of the Services 

You may not access or use the Services for any unlawful or unauthorised purpose. International users agree to comply with all local laws regarding privacy and the protection of personal data, online conduct, and the legality of content.

You may not access or use, or attempt to access or use, the Services to take any action that could harm us or any person or entity (a “person”), interfere with the operation of the Services, or use the Services in a manner that violates any laws. For example, and without limitation, you may not:

  • Impersonate any person or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your credentials, affiliation with any person, or the origin of any information you provide;
  • Engage in unauthorised spidering, scraping, or harvesting of content or information, or use any other unauthorised automated means to compile information;
  • Obtain or attempt to gain unauthorised access to other computer systems, materials, information, or any services available on or through the Services;
  • Use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Services or any activity conducted on the Services or attempt to probe, scan, test the vulnerability of, or breach the security of any system, device, or network;
  • Circumvent, reverse engineer, decipher, decompile, disassemble, decrypt, or otherwise alter or interfere with (or attempt, encourage, or support anyone else’s attempt to engage in such activities) any of the software comprising or in any way making up a part of the Services. The use or distribution of tools designed for compromising security (e.g. password guessing programs, cracking tools, or network probing tools) is strictly prohibited;
  • Take any action that imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on our network or infrastructure;
  • Upload or otherwise transmit any communication, software, or material that contains a virus or is otherwise harmful to the computers, devices, or systems of the Provider or its users; or
  • Engage in any other conduct that restricts or inhibits any person from using or enjoying the Services, or that, in our sole judgement, exposes us or any of our affiliates, users, or any other third party to any liability, damages, or detriment of any type.

You agree that we reserve the right to monitor all Content. You further agree that while we reserve the right to remove Content in our sole discretion for any reason, we have no duty to do so. We also reserve the right to turn over any Content to law enforcement officials. Violations of system or network security and certain other conduct may result in civil or criminal liability. We may investigate and work with law enforcement authorities to prosecute users who violate the ToU. We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services for any or no reason at any time without notice.

3. Violation And Abuse

We want to maintain a safe environment for all users and visitors. Please notify the Provider’s staff immediately of any spam, abuse, misuse, violation of use, nudity, illegal activity, or compromising behaviour you may encounter. Please send an email promptly expressing your concern to abuse[a]operas-eu.org   

You agree not to provide Content that:

  • Infringes on, misappropriates, or otherwise violates the copyright, trademark, patent, or other intellectual property right of any person, or reveals trade secrets or other proprietary information you do not have the right to disclose;
  • Is false, misleading, libelous, slanderous, defamatory, obscene, abusive, hateful, or sexually explicit;
  • Violates a person’s right to privacy or publicity;
  • Contains advertising, commercial activity, or a solicitation of any kind;
  • Degrades others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual preference, orientation or identity, disability, or other classification;
  • Contains epithets or other language or material intended to intimidate or to incite violence; or
  • Violates any applicable local, state, national, or international law, or advocates illegal activity.

4. Registration

In order to use some of our Services, you must register and provide certain information (such as name, email, postal addresses, and institution you are part of) to the Provider. For information on how we use personal data, please read our Privacy Policy. 

You agree to provide current, complete, and accurate data and you agree to update your information as needed to keep your account current when using the Services. It is your responsibility to keep your registration information up to date, accurate, and complete and you are responsible for any damage caused by non-compliance with these obligations. 

You acknowledge and agree that you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your registration information and password, and for all uses of your password. You should not allow others to use your account or share the details contained therein. The Provider and its partners, subsidiaries, agents, affiliates, and/or licensees are not liable for any improper, unauthorised, or illegal use of your account or any data stored in our servers or Services. The Provider is not responsible for any damage that you may incur as a result of the use of your password or account by third parties, whether or not you are aware of such use. You may delete your account at any time. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account and are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your account, regardless if authorised by you or not, including all data you store and share with the Provider. You agree to immediately notify the Provider of any unauthorised use of your account or any other breach of security, and ensure that you successfully log out from your account at the end of each session. The Provider is not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with these ToU pertaining to your own personal account. 

In case of violation of these ToU, the Provider may, at its sole discretion, delete your account, remove, or edit any content, or access connected to your account or perform any other action we deem to be appropriate.

5. Copyright Licence 

This website and the materials therein, unless specified otherwise, are available under Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

Work that is marked with the disclaimer “Copyright © <YYYY> <rights owner>” cannot be reused without the rightful rights owner’s explicit permission. 

6. Account/Service Termination 

You agree and understand that the Provider may terminate your account without any previous notice and may destroy any data stored with the Provider. If the Provider receives notice alleging that you have engaged in infringing behaviour or reasonably suspects that your use of the Service violates the intellectual property rights of the Provider or others or applicable laws, the Provider may, at their discretion, suspend or terminate your account and suspend Services without notice. The Provider is not liable to you or to any third party for the termination of your account and for the interruption of the Services.

7. User Responsibilities

Save what is provided under paragraph 5 above (Copyright License), you are fully responsible and liable for what you copy, share, upload, download, and all other activities performed within your account and with the Services. You must not upload spyware or any other malicious software to the Services. The Provider is not liable for any loss or corruption of your data or for any costs or expenses associated with backing up or restoring any of your data entrusted to the Provider.

8. Commercial Use Of Our Services

Save what is provided under paragraph 5 above (Copyright License), if you are using our services on behalf of a business, that business accepts these ToU. The business will protect and compensate the Provider from any claim, suit, or action arising from or related to the use of the Services or violation of these ToU, including any liability or expenses arising from claims, losses, damages, suits, judgments, litigation costs, and attorney fees.

9. Links and Other Content

The Services may contain links to third-party websites. The Provider does not endorse or promote these websites and services and is not responsible or liable for their claims, availability, accuracy, the related content, products, or services. You are responsible for your use of any such websites or resources.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

SAVE WHAT IS PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH 5 ABOVE (COPYRIGHT LICENCE), YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES IS ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT THE SERVICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE OPERATION OF THE SERVICES OR THE INFORMATION, MATERIALS, OR SERVICES APPEARING OR OFFERED ON THE SERVICES OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY WEBSITES OR SERVICES LINKED FROM THE SERVICES. THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.”  WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, STATUTORY OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO (I) THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; (II) THE WARRANTIES AGAINST INFRINGEMENT, MISAPPROPRIATION, OR VIOLATION OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OR PROPRIETARY RIGHTS OF ANY PERSON; (III) WARRANTIES ARISING THROUGH COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE IN TRADE; AND (IV) THE WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CORRECTNESS, OR COMPLETENESS OF DATA OR CONTENT MADE AVAILABLE ON THE SERVICES OR OTHERWISE BY THE PROVIDER. FURTHER, THERE IS NO WARRANTY THAT THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR NEEDS OR REQUIREMENTS OR THE NEEDS OR REQUIREMENTS OF ANY OTHER PERSON OR THE NEEDS OR REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN ANY DOCUMENTATION. WE MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, STATUTORY OR IMPLIED, THAT THE SERVICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE CONTENT, FUNCTIONS, OR MATERIALS CONTAINED THEREIN, WILL BE TIMELY, SECURE, ACCURATE, ERROR-FREE, COMPLETE, UP-TO-DATE, FREE OF VIRUSES, OR UNINTERRUPTED. THE PROVIDER DOES NOT NECESSARILY ENDORSE, SUPPORT, SANCTION, ENCOURAGE, OR AGREE WITH ANY CONTENT, AND WE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND LIABILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CONTENT. THE PROVIDER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION THAT THE SERVICES ARE APPROPRIATE OR AVAILABLE FOR USE OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE BY OR ON BEHALF OF OPERAS SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY.

IF APPLICABLE LAW DOES NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE IMPLIED OR STATUTORY WARRANTIES TO APPLY TO YOU, THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS WILL APPLY TO YOU TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

12. Exclusive Remedy and Limitation of Liability

SAVE WHAT IS PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH 5 ABOVE (COPYRIGHT LICENCE), UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION NEGLIGENCE, WILL THE PROVIDER, ITS AFFILIATES, OR ANY PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING THE SERVICES BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OR LOSSES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES AND LOST PROFITS ARISING OUT OF THE TERMS OR YOUR ACCESS, USE, MISUSE, OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY PROVIDER’S CONTENT OR USER CONTENT, OR ANY SITES LINKED FROM THE SERVICES, HOWEVER CAUSED, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF THE PROVIDER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, ERROR, OMISSION, INTERRUPTION, DEFECT, DELAY IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER VIRUS, OR LINE OR SYSTEM FAILURE. 

Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, the Provider’s liability in such jurisdictions shall be limited to the extent permitted by law. Any claim against us shall be limited to the amount you paid, if any, for use of the Services.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Provider and its affiliates, officers, directors, contractors, agents, employees, successors and assigns from and against any and all demands, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, interest, penalties, losses, costs, expenses and harms, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and fees of other professional advisers, arising out of or in connection with (i) your use of the Services (including, without limitation, your Content, content owned by the Provider, and your use of any other user’s Content), (ii) your online conduct, (iii) your violation or breach of this ToU, (iv) your failure to comply with any applicable laws or regulations, (v) your negligence, wilful misconduct, or violations of the intellectual property or other rights of any person, or (vi) any of your dealings or transactions with other persons resulting from use of the Services. You shall not settle any such claim without the prior written consent of the Provider. These obligations will survive any termination of these ToU. 

14. Integration and Severability

These ToU constitute the entire agreement between the Provider and you, superseding any prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals (whether oral, written or electronic) between you and us.  In the event any provision of this ToU is held unenforceable, it will not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions and will be replaced by an enforceable provision that comes closest to the intention underlying the unenforceable provision.

15. No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provisions of this ToU or respond to a breach by you or other parties shall not in any way waive our right to enforce subsequently any terms or conditions of the ToU or to act with respect to similar breaches.

16. Location and Governing Law

These ToU are governed by, and must be construed in accordance with the laws of Belgium and interpreted according to applicable EU law principles, without giving effect to their principles of conflicts of law. By using the Services, you waive any claims that may arise under the laws of other states, countries, territories, or jurisdictions.

17. Miscellaneous and Contact Information

No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship exists between the Provider and the user or as a result of this agreement or the use of our services. 

Please direct any questions, complaints, or claims related to the Services or your use of the Services by email to abuse[a]operas-eu.org or by regular mail at OPERAS AISBL, Quai aux Briques 76, 1000  Brussels,  Belgium.