Terms of Use

General

These Terms of Use apply to the use of all online services provided by Salzburg Global Seminar, Inc ("SG"), including in particular the website, its subpages, forums, apps, platforms and tools. SG reserves the right to amend these Terms of Use at any time. By using SG's services, the user gives express consent that their posts, comments, images, etc. may be published and used online, as well as in print formats and in any other technical form, free of charge and without restriction.

Liability

SG is not obliged to monitor the forums and comments, but will respond to reports reliably and in accordance with the law, subject to the requirements set out below. SG and its affiliated companies and cooperation partners are not liable for any acts or omissions relating to content, names, communication or commercial conduct in the forums. In particular, SG is not liable for third-party, user-generated content and posts (liability privilege pursuant to the DSA). SG assumes no liability whatsoever for the continuous availability of the website, for errors, delays or interruptions in data transmission, for the loss, misuse, accuracy, completeness or timeliness of data, for the transmission or spread of viruses, worms or Trojans, or in general for any damages that may otherwise arise from the use of the portal. The user is responsible for their own technical connection to SG's services. Each user is solely responsible for the content they publish and must comply with the forum rules and legal requirements as specified below. Users shall indemnify and hold SG harmless in this regard.
 

Offer and Use

Data transmitted to SG or uploaded to the platforms must not be capable of causing damage to the computers or networks of SG or other users, or of improperly interfering with computers, services, servers or networks. Advertising by users is generally prohibited. SG reserves the right to block customers or accounts that are misused, or that constitute unauthorized or abusive interference with the sphere of SG or other customers.
 

Free of Charge Services

SG's services are generally provided free of charge. Users will be informed accordingly if any charges apply. Some services can be used without registration, while others require prior registration. Users will be separately notified of this
 

Protective Rights and Transfer of Rights

Services, content and information offered by third parties may be protected by rights to names, copyright, trademark, design, patent or other protective rights. SG reserves the right to freely use the services offered, to modify, arrange or expand them as it sees fit, and to make them available to users. SG is not liable for any infringement of these legal or contractual provisions by the user. Content offered by third parties within the framework of SG's website may not be distributed or exploited unless the holder of the relevant protective right expressly consents to its use, distribution, reproduction or modification.

When transmitting data to SG, the user undertakes not to infringe the protective rights of third parties. This prohibition applies in particular to (moving) images, texts, designs, etc. made available for publication. If (moving) images, texts, designs, etc. do not originate from the user, publication is only permitted, subject to any other provisions of the author, etc., if the name or source of the author is disclosed. Markings of other protective rights, such as patent rights and trademark rights, may not be removed or falsified. The user expressly declares that they will indemnify and hold SG harmless in the event of infringements of intellectual property rights arising from unlawful or immoral acts, even without fault on the part of the user, and will defend SG against claims by authorized persons at their own cost and risk upon SG's request, insofar as the infringement is attributable to the published content. The user's appearance, or the transmission of data of any kind to SG by the user in forums, blogs, etc., shall only take place after the user has checked whether the texts, (moving) images, etc. made available are not encumbered by third-party protective rights, and the user declares that they have carefully checked this data prior to transmission. With regard to the transmission of data that is encumbered by third-party protective rights, the user declares that they have coordinated the transmission with the rights holder and obtained their irrevocable consent to the free transmission, publication, exploitation, modification, etc. of such data. Reference is made to the mutual rights summarized under the heading Data Protection.
 

Violation of the Terms of Use and Access Blocking

SG further reserves the right to remove or block access to texts, (moving) images and data that are unlawful or immoral, in particular that violate criminal law, contain discriminatory or racist content, or are incompatible with SG's requirements. SG is not liable for the content of transmitted texts, (moving) images or data that violate these principles. SG is entitled to reject individual users or groups of users and to block their access to the portal. SG is further entitled to revoke access authorizations already granted, including without notice, in the event of a violation of legal provisions. Users are also liable to SG and to services offered by third parties for the use of SG's services, insofar as access by the user occurs using the user's name or password. The user is obliged to immediately report any misuse of access by third parties in their name.
 

Limitation of Liability and Exclusion of Warranty

SG shall in no case be liable for contacts, legal transactions, services or other forms of communication or legal relationships arising within SG's portal or those of third parties. The user undertakes to comply strictly with applicable laws. Legal transactions, services, contacts, etc. arising through SG's services are not monitored by SG. SG will not become a party to any such contract, nor does it have any duty to warn or inform of any kind. Claims for damages and/or warranty claims, as well as any other claims against SG, are expressly excluded. SG is not liable for the fulfillment of such contacts, legal transactions or services by the user.
 

Links

Links from and to the website or services of SG must not infringe the rights of third parties. Links to the website must be maintained as external links and must display entire pages (including the navigation frame). Incorporation into the user's own frames is not permitted. If the user creates links to other websites, SG assumes no responsibility whatsoever, either for the content of such websites (e.g., content that violates legal provisions or public morals, or is incorrect or incomplete), or for damages arising from the use of linked information.
 

Registration and Obligations of the User

Registration may be required in order to use certain SG services. Any person who truthfully and completely fills out the registration form may become a registered user. Access to SG's services applies only to the registered person and is non-transferable. The registered person is solely responsible for keeping their access data confidential. The registered person bears full responsibility for all actions carried out under their user account. SG is not liable for damages arising from a breach of the registered person's obligations. Impersonating another identity is prohibited and may result in civil or criminal prosecution. SG reserves the right to temporarily block or permanently delete accounts and/or company objects, in particular if user data was not provided correctly or if the user violates applicable law. Use of SG's services is at the user's own risk. The user is solely responsible for all content they transmit, in particular information, data, photos, videos, product information, etc. SG is entitled to delete links and content without giving reasons, in particular if SG is notified by third parties of unlawful or offensive content. The publication of copyrighted works is only permitted with the consent of the author. Should SG incur costs due to a warning notice (cease-and-desist letter) from a third party, the user shall indemnify and hold SG harmless in this regard. SG is not liable for errors or omissions in connection with content arising from the use of published content. By submitting their data, the user grants SG an unrestricted right of use and marketing, unlimited in time and place. The user declares that they will not publish any pornographic material, content hostile to the constitution, or racist remarks.

SG endeavors to provide access to the pages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but assumes no liability for continuous availability. SG assumes no liability for the deletion, incorrect transmission or loss of storage of any data submitted by customers. SG expressly reserves the right to modify, supplement, delete or discontinue the publication of information without separate notice. It is noted that SG does not identify itself with, nor adopt as its own, the content of third-party offers (websites, databases or other third-party services) referenced by link or otherwise. Liability for the content of such third-party offers is expressly excluded, and only the respective provider of such offers is responsible for it.
 

Intellectual Property

Content of SG's services is protected by copyright; this applies in particular to photographs, videos, texts, comments and other posts. All rights to the content belong to SG or to the third party who made the content available. Reproduction of content is only permitted with the express written permission of SG. Storage in databases, reproduction and any form of commercial use, as well as disclosure to third parties – even in part or in revised form – without the express written permission of SG is prohibited. Any alteration or falsification of the informational content of the homepage or portals by third parties is prohibited. For content created and published by SG, all rights remain with SG.

Use of the content for commercial text and data mining within the meaning of Section 42h(6) of the Austrian Copyright Act (UrhG) and Article 4(3) of Directive (EU) 2019/790 is expressly reserved and may only take place with the prior written consent of SG.
 

Rules of Conduct for User-Generated Posts (Forum and Comments)

SG ensures a transparent and safe online environment in line with its duties of care under Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act, "DSA"). There is no place for hatred and incitement in discussion forums. SG points out that the internet is not a lawless space and that users must comply with the law as well as with the rules for using forums, writing comments and linking to content. Users may be held legally responsible for their comments and posts (both under civil and criminal law). Under certain circumstances, SG is obliged to disclose the user's personal data to authorities or authorized third parties (see, e.g., Article 18 DSA; Section 14 of the Austrian Unfair Competition Act (UWG)).
These Terms of Use may be updated from time to time. In the event of material changes, the user will be informed by email and asked to accept the amended Terms of Use. Without the user's consent, the user will no longer be able to fully use the services, since, for example, they will no longer be able to post comments or actively participate in debates.
Forum and posting rules for SG services:

• Posts and comments must be on-topic, fact-based and objectively worded
• Statements must be true, verifiable and substantiated
• Defamation, threats, hate speech, incitement, slander, agitation, insults, threats and demeaning statements will not be accepted
• Personal rights (e.g., right to one's own image, name rights, protection of privacy or honor) as well as third-party copyright and trademark rights must be respected
• Posts that call for or glorify violence are prohibited
• Vulgar, obscene or crude language will not be accepted
• Discriminatory, racist, pornographic, immoral or clearly morally reprehensible posts will not be tolerated
• A respectful, polite manner and appropriate debating culture must generally be maintained in the forum
• Criticism expressed must be fair, comprehensible and constructive
• Personal attacks, and attacks based on race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other similar characteristics, are expressly prohibited
• Harassing contact is prohibited, including subjecting other users to unwanted attention or otherwise disturbing them
• Laws and legal regulations must be complied with without exception
• Data protection must be respected; in particular, no personal data of third parties or confidential information may be published
• Sharing links leading to illegal content is prohibited
• Commercial posts and advertising are prohibited
• It is also prohibited to assume a false identity or the identity of another natural or legal person
• If a user is unsure whether a post or comment violates the Terms of Use or legal requirements, they must refrain from posting it in case of doubt

Moderation and measures: Posts and comments are reviewed, either automatically or manually, before publication and are only released afterward. This may result in waiting times.

Reporting function: Posts can be reported by users if they violate the Terms of Use or legal requirements. The report is then reviewed by the moderation team. Deleted content is replaced with a corresponding notice.

Deletion of posts and blocking of users: If posts violate the Terms of Use or legal requirements, they may be permanently deleted by SG. Users who repeatedly violate the Terms of Use or legal requirements may be temporarily or permanently blocked from the forum, so that only passive reading remains possible.

Justification of measures: Users affected by the deletion of a post or the blocking of an account will receive a justification from SG as to why the respective measure was imposed. This may be due to either a violation of the Terms of Use or unlawful conduct. In such a case, users are free to contact a certified out-of-court dispute resolution body or the courts.

Error management: SG may reverse erroneous deletions of posts and comments as well as erroneous blocking of users.

Below, users will find information on the points of contact pursuant to Articles 11 and 12 DSA:
Pursuant to Article 11 DSA, a point of contact must be designated for authorities of the Member States, the Commission and the European Board for Digital Services. This central point of contact can be reached at info@salzburgglobal.org.

Pursuant to Article 12 DSA, a point of contact for users must be indicated. Users can reach the central point of contact for their concerns directly and quickly at info@salzburgglobal.org or via the contact information provided in the legal notice.

Alternative dispute resolution:

The European Commission provides an online dispute resolution platform (the "ODR platform") at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/.
Conciliation for consumer transactions in Austria: http://www.verbraucherschlichtung.or.at/
 

Applicable Law and Jurisdiction, General Provisions

The user undertakes to observe the locally applicable provisions of the country in which they access SG's internet services. Users must likewise observe any legal provisions with a foreign connection. For all legal relationships between SG and the user, the competent court of the Salzburg state capital shall be deemed agreed, unless otherwise provided under the Austrian Consumer Protection Act. In all other respects, Austrian law shall apply, to the exclusion of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and its conflict-of-law rules.
Should any of the foregoing provisions be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected. In such a case, the invalid clause shall be replaced by another clause that comes as close as possible, economically and in intent, to the invalid clause.