Terms of Service (TOS) for Medicosapiens.org
Note:
The following terms of service specifically applies to the usage of forums in Medicosapiens.org
These are in addition to our general Terms of Service
The term “Medicosapiens” used in this document refers to “Medicosapiens.org“
The term “THE SITE” used in this document refers to Medicosapiens.org.
These terms are based on general common sense.
By using the Medicosapiens.org you agree to the terms set out below.
If you do not agree with the whole or any part of the terms set out below then you must not use the Site.
These terms were last updated on Sat April 20, 2012, 10:42 pm. You are expected to visit this page on your first visit to Medicosapiens.org site. It is your responsibility to keep yourself updated about any change in these terms of service as they can be updated without any notice.
Medical Disclaimer:
(1) Not advice
This website contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such.
(2) No warranties
The medical information on this website is provided without any representations or warranties express or implied. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information on this website.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, we do not warrant that:
(a) The medical information on this website will be constantly available, or available at all; or
(b) The medical information on this website is complete, true, accurate, up-to-date, or non-misleading.
(3) Professional assistance
You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional health-care provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional health-care provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.
(4) Limiting our liability
Nothing in this medical disclaimer will:
(a) Limit or exclude our liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence;
(b) Limit or exclude our liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
(c) Limit any of our liabilities in any way that is not permitted under applicable law; or
(d) Exclude any of our liabilities that may not be
Website Disclaimer
(1) Introduction
This disclaimer governs your use of our website; by using our website, you accept this disclaimer in full. If you disagree with any part of this disclaimer, you must not use our website.
[Our website uses cookies. By using our website and agreeing to the terms of this disclaimer, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of our [privacy policy / cookies policy].
(2) License to use website
You may view, download for caching purposes only, and print pages from the website for your own personal use, subject to the restrictions below.
You are free to use for personal or educational purposes. However, for commercial purposes you must not:
(a) Republish material from this website (including republication on another website);
(b) Sell, rent or otherwise sub-license material from the website;
(c) Show any material from the website in public;
(d) Reproduce, duplicate, copy or otherwise exploit material on our website for a commercial purpose;
(e) Edit or otherwise modify any material on the website; or
(f) Redistribute material from this website.
(3) Limitation and exclusion of warranties and liability
Whilst we endeavor to ensure that the information on this website is correct, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy; nor do we commit to ensuring that the website remains available or that the material on the website is kept up-to-date.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law we exclude all representations, warranties and conditions relating to this website and the use of this website (including, without limitation, any warranties implied by law of satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose and/or the use of reasonable care and skill).
Nothing in this disclaimer will: (a) limit or exclude our or your liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence; (b) limit or exclude our or your liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; (c) limit any of our or your liabilities in any way that is not permitted under applicable law; or (d) exclude any of our or your liabilities that may not be excluded under applicable law.
The limitations and exclusions of liability set out in this Section and elsewhere in this disclaimer: (a) are subject to the preceding paragraph; and (b) govern all liabilities arising under the disclaimer or in relation to the subject matter of this disclaimer, including liabilities arising in contract, in tort (including negligence) and for breach of statutory duty.
To the extent that the website and the information and services on the website are provided free-of-charge, we will not be liable for any loss or damage of any nature.
We will not be liable to you in respect of any losses arising out of any event or events beyond our reasonable control.
We will not be liable to you in respect of any business losses, including (without limitation) loss of or damage to profits, income, revenue, use, production, anticipated savings, business, contracts, commercial opportunities or goodwill.
We will not be liable to you in respect of any loss or corruption of any data, database or software.
We will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage.
(4) Variation
We may revise this disclaimer from time-to-time. The revised disclaimer will apply to the use of our website from the date of the publication of the revised disclaimer on our website. Please check this page regularly to ensure you are familiar with the current version.
(5) Entire agreement
This disclaimer constitutes the entire agreement between you and us in relation to your use of our website, and supersedes all previous agreements in respect of your use of this website.
Privacy Policy
(1) Introduction
Our website uses cookies. By using our website and agreeing to this policy, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy.
(2) What information do we collect
We may collect, store and use the following kinds of personal information:
(a) Information about your computer and about your visits to and use of this website (including [your IP address, geographical location, browser type and version, operating system, referral source, length of visit, page views, website navigation})
(b) Information relating to any transactions carried out between you and us on or in relation to this website, including information relating to any purchases you make of our goods or services
(c) Information that you provide to us for the purpose of registering with us
(d) Information that you provide to us for the purpose of subscribing to our website services, email notifications and/or newsletters
(e) Any other information that you choose to send to us; and
(f) Other information.
(3) Cookies
A cookie consists of information sent by a web server to a web browser, and stored by the browser. The information is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. This enables the web server to identify and track the web browser
We [may] use [both] [“session” cookies] [and “persistent” cookies] on the website. [We will use the session cookies to: keep track of you whilst you navigate the website; and [other uses].] [We will use the persistent cookies to: enable our website to recognise you when you visit; and [other uses].]
[Session cookies will be deleted from your computer when you close your browser.] [Persistent cookies will remain stored on your computer until deleted, or until they reach a specified expiry date.]
[We use Google Analytics to analyse the use of this website. Google Analytics generates statistical and other information about website use by means of cookies, which are stored on users' computers. The information generated relating to our website is used to create reports about the use of the website. Google will store this information. Google's privacy policy is available at: admin@Medicosapiens.org
Specific Policies Regarding Medicosapiens.org Discussion Forums
1: Registration
1.1. Although you can see most of the forums and posts in medicospaiens.com without registering, posting content in forums will require a registration. This is compulsory.
2: Usernames
2.1. To register in Medicosapiens.org, you should select an appropriate username.
2.2. Usernames (nicknames) which are inflammatory, vulgar, promotional, long, inappropriate or rude will be removed and in most of the cases email and IP address of such users will be banned for future registrations.
2.3. Signing up a user name that is an obvious domain name or product name will be removed. This is out of unfair promotion considerations and possible trademark implications.
3. Moderation in forums
3.1. All forums are fully moderated in accordance with our policy of “managed community”.
3.2. Discussions about Admin, moderator or administrator actions are welcome in private messages or support emails, but should not be discussed in public forums in Medicosapiens.org or elsewhere. This is out of respect for the members and moderators or policy involved.
3.3. Periodically the Moderators of Medicosapiens will post his or her comments, but they may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Medicosapiens.org , or its members.
4. Respect for others
4.1. You are always expected to be respectful of other members, the system, the policies, terms of service, the moderators and the administrators.
4.2. Disrespect to any existing or ex-member, people enumerated in clause 4.1 or any other person or public figure are not tolerated and such posts will be removed on first instance. The poster of such a message might be banned forever along with the IP address and email depending on the seriousness of the act. In very serious acts of disrespect Medicosapiens might take proactive actions like (but not limited to) a formal complaint with local relevant authorities or legal measures. Medicosapiens is serious about issues of disrespect and do enforce this clause strictly.
5. Posting
5.1 FORUM CHARTER
Before posting in a forum, please read the charter for that forum.
5.2. Be descriptive, specific, clear and succinct in your postings. Your opinion and point is better understood and referenced in this way.
5.3. POST TITLES
Post title is the most important part of any post. It is usually the only factor which helps other users to decide whether or not to read your post. It has to be appropriately formatted
Guidelines for appropriate posts
5.3.a. Post title should be descriptive enough to give an indication of the content of the post e.g. if you are asking a nagging question, the title should contain the words indicating the subject area of the question and a word about the specific topic. There is a limit of maximum 80 characters in the titles, so use your words judiciously to make the best use of allocated characters.
5.3.b. Post title should not contain special characters like (but not limited to) html coding, bbcode, /,#,{,~,*,$ etc.
5.3.c. Please stay within the topic area of the forum you are posting a message in, and within any topic that another poster may have started. It is your responsibility.
5.3.d. Please treat others the way you wish to be treated. One way to guard against misunderstandings is to read over your response before you post it.
5.3.e. You can post only in english language in the forums. Any non-English language posts should be accompanied by a translation of the same. There are no exceptions to this rule.
5.3.f. Multiple identical posts: While it might be tempting to make same post across several forums to attract more eyeballs, it creates confusion and inconvenience by burying other useful data in the forums. We define it as a form of spamming and can take action ranging from warnings, credit deletion (for <5 multiple posts) to temporary (5-25 multiple posts) or permanent bans (>25 multiple posts) on posting in Medicosapiens forums. Ideally you should identify the most suitable forum to post your message and post it only once.
5.3.g. Netiquette: We believe that doctors do not need reminding of the rules of civil behaviour and etiquettes, which apply in online world as much they do in the real world. However if you need an authoritative reference to look up for any specific guidance on online behaviour, please visit http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1855
5.4. If we (Admin or moderators) feel that your posts are not descriptive enough, we reserve the right to modify the title and/or content of the post.
5.5. The forum where you are posting might have its own set of rules for posting. Such rules are always in addition to the terms documented on this page. You can locate such terms by reading the “forum charter” which is usually prominently displayed in the forum. If a forum does not have a charter, then you should fall back on the posting guidelines in this document.
5.6. We would not usually remove any thread on personal request if it has been posted into by any other Medicosapiens member and the thread does not violate Medicosapiens Terms of service. This is because the forum discussion threads, once posted into by others, become collective property. This is important as it means that deletion of your Medicosapiens account does not mean an automatic deletion of discussion threads started by you. However if you have genuine reasons for the removal of a thread, please do not hesitate to explain them to us.
5.7. REVIEWS
Medicosapiens.org welcomes honest reviews of educational materials, books and courses in the forums. However to prevent misuse of the forums for covert advertising, we do not allow members with less than 20 valid posts to post reviews. Please do not get offended if your post is removed without warning for not following this guidance.
6. Right to edit
6.1. We (Admin or moderators) reserve an exclusive right to edit any post in a way we feel is appropriate. Usually this this done for greater common benefit of the community or for making your post more relevant. Most of the reasons for editing your post are being enumerated below:
Common reasons for editing your posts
The following list is indicative and not exhaustive.
6.1.a. To make the post title more descriptive. This include adding tags like “FAQ”, “Library”, “Tips” etc. to the existing title in order to classify the posts.
6.1.b. To remove disallowed characters (see 5.3.b) in title or inappropriate words in posts, in the way Admin or moderators deems fit.
6.2.c. Because your posting may be more relevant to another ongoing discussion, or it might cover a topic already discussed, it may be moved as Admin or moderators sees fit.
6.3.d. Because your post might duplicate an existing discussion or if the moderators or Admin feels appropriate, it might be merged with another existing thread with or without any notice. This usually done for greater common benefit and not indiscriminately.
6.3.e. Medicosapiens forums are not a place for direct or indirect advertisements. It will be the sole discretion of Medicosapiens Admin and its moderators as to what constitutes an advertisement. All posts presumed to be overt or subliminal advertisements will be removed.
6.4.f. Claims of action, flames, and calls to action against any group, government, company or individual are removed on first notice.
7. Adult content
7.1. Links or pictures to adult content, pages with links to adult content, near adult content, any pictures of models, actors and actresses are not allowed in Medicosapiens forums and will be removed as soon as possible or when they are reported. Any discussion of those are not allowed in Medicosapiens forums.
8. Restricted uses
8.1. Email excerpts of ANY type (including forwarded messages) or length are not allowed in Medicosapiens forums. There are no exceptions to this rule.
8.2. Promoting, selling, and recruiting are not allowed in the Medicosapiens forums. Medicosapiens website is a place to discuss the problems faced by medical students and doctors with the broader internet medical community and not a place to indulge in illegal activities. Please note that we do not endorse or tolerate sales of illegal goods anywhere in the website.
8.3. Selling, swapping of notes, second hand books is not allowed in Medicosapiens forums
8.4. Sharing of any passwords is strictly forbidden in Medicosapiens forums and is a serious offence.
8.5. Posting the names of private courses and coaching institutes of any kind is not allowed in Medicosapiens forums. In addition discussion about the perceived usefulness of any course is disallowed.
9. Copyrights
9.1. No copyrighted content (including content from medical information websites, questions and content from paid online courses) may be inserted into Medicosapiens posts.
9.2. All forms of inserted content from copyrighted contents placed into messages will be removed at first notice without exception. The users posting such material will usually be irrevocably banned.
9.3. EXCEPTIONS
9.4.1. You can share the content in Medicosapiens forums only if the following conditions are fulfilled:
a. The content is licensed under public license’s e.g. GNU Free Documentation license (e.g. Wikipedia), Creative Commons Attribution License with no restrictions on sharing and commercial use and other similar license’s. It is your responsibility to meet all the terms of these licenses’ while posting the content.
b. The content is in public domain and you fulfill all the terms put by the originator put on sharing such content.
c. Minor fair use excerpts of less than one paragraph (4 sentences) may be used if the content is publicly available on the internet. Even this content will require attribution to the source as a link.
10. Personal attribution
10.1. Medicosapiens forums are not a venue for personal or private vendettas.
10.2. Medicosapiens forums are not a venue for the resolution of personal disputes with members or companies.
10.3. Sharing of personally identifiable contact information like (but not limited to) full name, address, telephone number, email id, messenger ids are not allowed in Medicosapiens forums.
10.4. Anyone posting another members personal details or details (including but not limited to their url, blog, email address, bank details, full names, address) without permission will be banned. There are no exceptions to this rule.
11. Signatures
11.1. Inappropriate, commercialized, offensive signatures will be edited at first notice. The Admin’s decision will be final on this aspect and it cannot be discussed in public forums.
12. Avatars
12.1. Inappropriate, commercialized, offensive, gory, explicit, vulgar or large avatars will be removed at first notice. The Admin’s decision will be final on this aspect and it cannot be discussed in public forums.
13. Links
13.1. Affiliate based URLs are not allowed anywhere in Medicosapiens including all the forums.
13.2. Posting links to any website (other than those in Medicosapiens network) is a deemed violation of Medicosapiens TOS and your account on Medicosapiens might be terminated. This restriction applies partially to .org websites
13.3. If you want to cite any content on such websites, please summaries it in your own words and post it. If you want to mention the source, mention it by name and not by link e.g. timesofindia.com should be mentioned as Times of India and not otherwise. Medicosapiens forums are not a place to indulge in spamming the forums with links.
13.4. Posting links to online and offline coaching institutes are not allowed in Medicosapiens forums.
13.5. EXCEPTIONS:
13.5.a. Links to noncommercial, non-personal .org sites can be shared in forums. However such links will be checked by Admin and will be removed if they violate any part of TOS.
13.5.b. There is absolutely no restriction on sharing links of sites with extensions .edu, .ac and .gov.
13.5.c. There is no restriction on sharing URLs of educational institutions.
13.5.d. There is no restriction on moderators, Admin or administrators posting links to an external website. However, if you feel that a Admin member or moderator is abusing this privilege, you are welcome to report it to us within the terms set by clause 3.2.
14. Communications with Admin
14.1. Any on site private discussions with Admin, moderators or administrators related to policy or actions may be shared with administrators.
15. Liability
15.1. You agree not to hold Medicosapiens or its members liable for anything stated within the forums.
15.2 Our disclaimer is available at Disclaimer and is fully applicable to use of Medicosapiens forums.
15.3. You are responsible for your own posts.
15.4. You agree not to hold Medicosapiens.org liable for any messages posted in forums.
16. License
16.1. By posting in Medicosapiens forums, you agree that your content would be subject to the copyright license in force at that time.
16.2. TERMS OF LICENCE
16.2.a. Our current license allows authors to use their own articles/posts for their own “noncommercial” purposes without seeking permission from Medicosapiens.
16.2.b. Medicosapiens forums contain user generated material. Therefore it is fair that we ban any commercial use (see 16.2c for examples of commercial use) of any material posted in our forums and license the forum content under Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike license (CC BY-NC-SA). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon forum content non-commercially, as long as Medicosapiens website is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. If you are intending to use Medicosapiens forum content, then please do read the legal code of this license.
16.32c. Examples of commercial use include, but are not limited to: use in any material in any form that eventually requires users to pay for access, use in books, course notes, classroom coaching’s, copying on other websites that carry advertising etc.
16.32d. Content posted elsewhere (outside forums) in THE SITE, or content posted by Medicosapiens Admin is not bound to the terms of this license. For such content, copyright remains with the original author and Medicosapiens assumes an exclusive perpetual license to use that work for both commercial and noncommercial purposes. This has been covered in our general terms of service in detail.
17. Usage of content
17.1. You cannot copy and retransmit any information out of these forums if you are accessing it in violation of our general terms of service (i.e. you are not a medical/dental student or a doctor/dentist). All other usage restrictions have been covered in section 16 above.
18. Abuse
18.1. Links to report abuse or violation of Medicosapiens Terms of Service are displayed prominently on every page (in footer) of Medicosapiens website. In addition report abuse links are displayed below every post in Medicosapiens website.
18.2. As a beneficiary from the system, we expect you to report to us any instance of abuse or TOS violation anywhere in Medicosapiens using these links. The option to report anonymously is also provided.
18.3. If you are a victim of the abuse, reporting abuse using such links should be your first point of contact. We assure swift and satisfying action on any abuse reports.
19. Domain Name
19.1. “Medicosapiens.org” is a registered domain name for Indian Medical Students’ Association, India. Any unauthorized commercial use of Medicosapiens.org domain name without a written permission from a Medicosapiens Admin will be prosecuted legally in every instance.
Terms of service
It is your responsibility to read and be familiar with these terms of service and to operate within the limits imposed by them.
Pleading ignorance to these terms of service is not an excuse if action is taken against you.
These terms of service can be updated without any notice although we will do our best to display them prominently in Medicosapiens forums.
Other useful links
Report abuse of Medicosapiens forums: admin@Medicosapiens.org
