Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: July 17, 2025
Last Updated: June 17, 2025

1. Introduction and Acceptance

1.1 Agreement

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between SciPinion, LLC ("SciPinion," "we," "us," or "our") and you ("you" or "User"), governing your use of our services available at https://app.scipinion.com/ (the "Service" or "Platform").

1.2 Acceptance

By accessing or using our Service, creating an account, or clicking "Sign Up" or similar buttons, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference.

1.3 Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use our Service. If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian's permission to use the Service. Some jurisdictions may require users to be older than 13; in such cases, you must meet the minimum age requirement in your jurisdiction.

2. Our Services

2.1 Service Description

SciPinion provides a platform for scientific and expert community engagement through:

• SciPolls: Opinion polls where experts share their views on scientific and professional topics
• Pings: Community-driven questions and answers where users can submit inquiries and provide expert responses
• SciPi: Paid peer review opportunities for qualified experts (subject to separate agreements)
• Future Services: Additional services we may introduce, such as "SciTasks" or other expert engagement opportunities (which may be subject to additional terms)

2.2 User Types

• Expert Users: Can create and respond to Pings, participate in SciPolls, and apply for SciPi peer review opportunities
• Observer Users: Have read-only access to public content

2.3 Account Registration

To access certain features, you must create an account providing accurate, current, and complete information. You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized use

3. User Content and Intellectual Property

3.1 Your Content License to Us

By submitting content to our Platform (including Pings, poll responses, and other contributions), you grant SciPinion a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicenseable, and transferable license to:

• Use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, and distribute your content
• Create derivative works from your content
• Display and perform your content publicly
• Use your content for our business purposes, including marketing and improving our services

This license continues even if you stop using our Service or delete your account, ensuring the integrity of the scientific record.

3.2 Ownership

You retain ownership of your content. However, you acknowledge that:

• Your contributions become part of the collective scientific discourse on our Platform
• Other users may cite or reference your contributions in accordance with Section 6
• Anonymized versions of your content may persist after account deletion

3.3 Our Intellectual Property

The Service, including its design, features, software, and our content, is protected by intellectual property laws. All rights not expressly granted to you remain with SciPinion.

3.4 Feedback

Any suggestions, feedback, or ideas you provide about our Service may be used by us without compensation or attribution.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

4.1 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Impersonate others or provide false information
• Upload malware, viruses, or harmful code
• Engage in harassment, hate speech, or discrimination
• Spam or send unsolicited communications
• Scrape, harvest, or collect data through automated means
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with other users' enjoyment of the Service
• Create multiple accounts to manipulate polls or discussions
• Use the Service for commercial solicitation without permission

4.2 Content Standards

You agree not to submit content that:

• Infringes intellectual property rights
• Contains confidential or proprietary information you're not authorized to share
• Is defamatory, obscene, or offensive
• Promotes illegal activities
• Contains personal information of others without consent
• Misrepresents your qualifications or expertise

4.3 Platform Integrity

To maintain the quality of expert discourse, you agree not to:

• Submit duplicate or substantially similar responses across multiple polls
• Coordinate with others to manipulate poll results
• Create fake engagement or artificial activity
• Misuse the SciPi peer review application process

5. Artificial Intelligence Policy

5.1 Core Principle

Expert opinions and professional judgments submitted to our Platform must represent genuine human expertise and analysis. AI tools cannot substitute for the substantive professional judgment expected from our expert community.

5.2 Prohibited AI Uses

You may NOT use AI to:

• Generate the substantive content of your expert opinions
• Create or simulate professional analysis or judgments
• Automate responses to polls or Pings
• Produce SciPi peer review assessments

5.3 Permitted AI Uses

You MAY use AI tools for:

• Grammar and spell checking
• Improving readability and clarity
• Generating preliminary outlines (which you then develop with your expertise)
• Translation assistance (while ensuring accuracy)

5.4 Disclosure Requirements

Any use of AI tools must be disclosed when submitting content. This disclosure will be collected and stored as described in our Privacy Policy. Failure to disclose AI use may result in account termination.

5.5 Attribution

AI systems cannot be listed as authors or contributors. All content must be attributable to human experts.

6. Using Information from the Service

6.1 Citation Requirements

When referencing poll results or information from our Platform in publications, presentations, or other works, you must cite "SciPinion.com" or "SciPinion, LLC" as the source.

6.2 Restrictions

You may not:

• Sell or commercialize data obtained from our Platform
• Share other users' personal information
• Republish substantial portions of our content without permission
• Use automated tools to extract data without our written consent

6.3 Academic and Professional Use

We encourage the use of our poll results and aggregated data for legitimate academic and professional purposes, provided proper attribution is given.

7. Privacy and Data Protection

7.1 Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information. By using our Service, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

7.2 International Users

If you access our Service from outside the United States:

• You consent to the transfer of your data to the United States
• You acknowledge that US privacy laws may differ from your jurisdiction
• For EU/EEA residents, we implement appropriate safeguards for data transfers

7.3 GDPR Rights

If you are located in the EU/EEA, you have additional rights under GDPR as detailed in our Privacy Policy. These rights cannot be waived, but we've designed our Service to respect these rights while maintaining platform integrity.

8. Third-Party Services and Links

8.1 Third-Party Integration

We may integrate with third-party services. Your use of such services is governed by their terms and policies.

8.2 External Links

Our Service may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the content or practices of these sites.

9. SciPi Peer Review and Paid Opportunities

9.1 Separate Agreements

Participation in paid SciPi peer review or similar opportunities requires separate agreements that supplement these Terms.

9.2 No Guarantee

Creating an account does not guarantee selection for SciPi opportunities. Selection is at our sole discretion based on expertise and project requirements.

9.3 Professional Standards

When participating in SciPi peer review, you agree to maintain professional standards and confidentiality as specified in individual engagement agreements.

9.4 Automated Matching

We use automated decision-making to match experts with SciPi opportunities based on your profile information and expertise, as described in our Privacy Policy.

10. API Terms

10.1 API Access

If we provide API access, you agree to:

• Use the API only for authorized purposes
• Comply with rate limits and technical restrictions
• Not reverse engineer or abuse the API
• Maintain the security of your API credentials

10.2 API Changes

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue API access at any time without liability.

11. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

11.1 Service "As Is"

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

11.2 No Guarantee

We do not guarantee:

• The accuracy, completeness, or reliability of user-generated content
• Uninterrupted or error-free service
• That the Service will meet your specific requirements
• Any specific outcomes from using the Service

11.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SCIPINION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES.

11.4 Maximum Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY EXCEED THE GREATER OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100) OR THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS.

11.5 Jurisdictional Limitations

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SciPinion and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Your content or contributions to the Platform

13. Termination

13.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by submitting a request through our support system at https://scipinion.com/support/.

13.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time for any reason, including:

• Violation of these Terms
• Suspected fraudulent or illegal activity
• Extended periods of inactivity
• At our sole discretion

13.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to access the Service ceases immediately
• We will delete your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy
• Your content contributions will be anonymized but may remain on the Platform
• Sections of these Terms that should reasonably survive will remain in effect

14. Dispute Resolution

14.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating formal proceedings, you agree to attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting us at our support system.

14.2 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Montana, without regard to conflict of law principles.

14.3 Arbitration

For claims where the total amount sought is less than $10,000:

• Either party may elect binding arbitration
• Arbitration will be conducted by a mutually agreed provider (preferably Montana-based)
• Arbitration may be conducted by telephone, online, or based on written submissions
• The arbitrator's decision will be final and may be entered in any court

14.4 Jurisdiction

For claims not subject to arbitration, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts in Gallatin County, Montana, or federal court in Butte, Montana.

14.5 Class Action Waiver

You agree to bring claims only in your individual capacity and not as part of any class or representative action.

15. DMCA Copyright Policy

15.1 Copyright Infringement

We respect intellectual property rights and will respond to valid DMCA notices. To report copyright infringement, send a notice to:

SciPinion, LLC
Attn: DMCA Agent
777 E. Main St., Suite 202
Bozeman, MT 59715
USA

15.2 Notice Requirements

Valid notices must include:

• Identification of the copyrighted work
• Identification of the infringing material
• Your contact information
• A statement of good faith belief
• A statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury
• Your physical or electronic signature

15.3 Counter-Notice

If you believe your content was wrongly removed, you may submit a counter-notice with:

• Identification of the removed material
• A statement under penalty of perjury that removal was mistaken
• Consent to jurisdiction
• Your signature

15.4 Repeat Infringers

We will terminate accounts of repeat copyright infringers in appropriate circumstances.

16. Accessibility

We strive to make our Service accessible to all users. If you experience difficulty accessing our content, please contact us at https://scipinion.com/support/, and we will work to address your needs.

17. General Provisions

17.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms and our Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and SciPinion.

17.2 Modifications

We may update these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes via email or Platform notice. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

17.3 Severability

If any provision is found unenforceable, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary, and other provisions will remain in effect.

17.4 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of our right to do so later.

17.5 Assignment

You may not assign your rights under these Terms. We may assign our rights without restriction.

17.6 Survival

Provisions that should reasonably survive termination will remain in effect.

18. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, contact us at:

Support: https://scipinion.com/support/
Mail: SciPinion, LLC
Attn: Legal
777 E. Main St., Suite 202
Bozeman, MT 59715
USA

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By using SciPinion, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.