Copyright Policy

Information on the Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code Web site www.unlockinglifescode.org is in the public domain. Public domain information may be freely distributed and copied, but, as a courtesy, it is requested that the National Human Genome Research Institute be given an appropriate acknowledgement: "Courtesy: National Human Genome Research Institute and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History."

When using unlockinglifescode.org, you may encounter documents, illustrations, photographs or other information that has been licensed by private individuals, companies or organizations that may be protected by United States and foreign copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of these protected items requires the written permission of the copyright owners. For information about the copyright owners of a given graphic, photo or illustration on unlockinglifescode.org, how they can be contacted, and what, if any, use those owners allow of their material, please provide the URL and file name to the unlockinglifescode.org webmaster at unlockinglifescode@mail.nih.gov.

Information Specific Guidelines

Texts

Most text appearing on unlockinglifescode.org was either prepared by employees of the United States government as part of their official duties and therefore is not subject to copyright, or was prepared under contracts that give NHGRI the right to place the text into the public domain. The same is true of most publications available for downloading from unlockinglifescode.org. You may freely copy that material. Please use the following credit:  "Courtesy: National Human Genome Research Institute and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History."

Copyrighted text is published on unlockinglifescode.org from time to time with the permission of the copyright holder. Website users are free to view and print the documents. NHGRI cannot grant permission for other uses of the copyrighted material, and publication on unlockinglifescode.org does not alter the copyright holder’s rights. Copyrighted material carries a credit line indicating that it did not originate at NHGRI. For information about copyright owners, how they can be contacted, and what, if any, use those owners allow of their material, please provide the URL to the unlockinglifescode.org webmaster at unlockinglifescode@mail.nih.gov.

Graphics/Photos/Illustrations

Most unlockinglifescode.org graphics and photographs are in the public domain, which is information that may be freely distributed and copied. However, some graphics, photos and illustrations are used by unlockinglifescode.org with specific permission granted by the owner. These photos, graphics and illustrations found on unlockinglifescode.org should not be reused without permission. For information about the copyright owners of a given graphic, photo or illustration on unlockinglifescode.org, how they can be contacted, and what, if any, use those owners allow of their material, please provide the URL and file name to the unlockinglifescode.org webmaster at unlockinglifescode@mail.nih.gov.

Granting the right to use a unlockinglifescode.org graphic, photo or illustration does not explicitly or implicitly convey endorsement of the site where it is used by NHGRI or the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.  If an image includes an identifiable person, using the image may infringe that person's right of privacy or publicity, and permission should be obtained from the person. Once you receive confirmation from us that a graphic, photo or illustration is available for use, please use the following credit: "Courtesy: National Human Genome Research Institute and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History."

Disclaimers

Liability: For documents and software available from this server, the U.S. Government does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process disclosed.

Endorsement: NHGRI or the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes or services. The views and opinions of authors expressed on unlockinglifescode.org do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government, and they may not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

Pop-Up Advertisements: When visiting unlockinglifescode.org, your Web browser may produce pop-up advertisements. These advertisements were most likely produced by other websites you visited or by third party software installed on your computer. The National Human Genome Research Institute or the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History does not endorse or recommend products or services for which you may view a pop-up advertisement on your computer screen while visiting our site.

External Links: NHGRI or the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History may provide links on unlockinglifescode.org to other Internet sites for the convenience of Internet users. NHGRI or the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites, nor does NHGRI or the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered at these other Internet sites. It is the responsibility of the user to examine the copyright and licensing restrictions of linked pages and to secure all necessary permission. Users cannot assume that the external sites will abide by the same provisions as the unlockinglifescode.org Copyright Policy.

Permitted Uses

The National Human Genome Research Institute and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History allow fair use of the content as defined by copyright law. Information on United States copyright fair use law is available from the United States Copyright Office: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html. Please note that you are responsible for determining whether your use is fair and for responding to any claims that may arise from your use.

Unauthorized Uses Require Prior Written Permission

You may not use the content on unlockinglifescode.org for commercial purposes. This means that you may not sell the content or sell materials, products or services that use and incorporate the content, nor may you use the content to promote or advertise products or services. If you wish to use the content for purposes such as commercial use or publication that are beyond the permitted uses (except any that may be permitted by fair use under the copyright law), you must obtain prior written permission from the NHGRI or the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (or other owner of the content as applicable).

Send your permission request or other inquiries, including requests for higher quality formats, including high resolution digital images, to the unlockinglifescode.org webmaster at www.unlockinglifescode@mail.nih.gov.

Trademarks

Many of the names, titles, trademarks, service marks, and logos that appear on the unlockinglifescode.org are registered or common law (unregistered) marks of the Smithsonian. With the exception of fair use, you may not use the Smithsonian or NHGRI trademarks without prior written permission.

Trademarks of third parties may also appear on the Smithsonian Institution (SI) websites from time to time. You agree that nothing on the SI websites shall be construed as granting any license to use any Trademark displayed on the SI websites without the express written permission of the owner of the trademark

Reservation of Rights

The NHGRI and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History reserve the right to change these Terms of Use from time to time without notice; changes shall be effective upon posting. Please check back regularly for updates. Failure of the NHGRI or the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to enforce any of these terms shall not constitute a waiver of such terms.

Warranty and Indemnity

By using the unlockinglifescode.org websites, you represent and warrant that your use will be consistent with these Terms of Use, including fair use. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold the NHGRI or the SI harmless from all claims, causes of action, allegations, costs, expenses, fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, liabilities, losses, and damages arising from or relating to your use of the unlockinglifescode.org website.

Do not use the content to promote, advertise, or sell your own products or services or for any other commercial or unauthorized purpose.

Comply with any other terms or restrictions that may be applicable to the content.

Questions / Contact

If you have any questions regarding the reproduction or use of any NHGRI or Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History text, graphics, photos or illustrations please direct them to:

Webmaster
Education and Community Involvement Branch
National Human Genome Research Institute
Building 31/B1B55
31 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892

Phone: (301) 402-7229
Fax: (301) 480-3066
E-mail: unlockinglifescode@mail.nih.gov