Terms of Service

Acceptance of Terms
1. The website www.osce.org is the official website of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
2. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe includes the Secretariat, Institutions (the Office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media) and Field Operations (Missions, Centres, Groups, Presences, Project Coordinators and any other field activities)(collectively, the “OSCE”).
3. Any and all use of this website, including without limitation to its related pages or any other content (collectively known as the “OSCE Website” or “Website”), constitutes your acceptance of the following Terms of Service (the “Terms”).
4. The OSCE Website may contain additional guidelines, rules, or conditions applicable to specific services and features which may be posted from time to time (collectively known as the “Guidelines”). Any Guidelines are hereby incorporated by reference into the Terms.
5. The OSCE reserves the right, in its discretion, to change or modify all or any part of the Terms at any time. The Terms may be updated from time to time without notice to you. Your continued use of the OSCE Website constitutes your binding acceptance of any such changes to the Terms. If at any time the Terms are no longer acceptable to you, you should immediately cease all use of the OSCE Website.
Description of the OSCE Website
1. About
  1. General information about the OSCE website can be found at: http://www.osce.org/about
  2. The OSCE Website may only be used for personal or educational purposes. For any other use, the express written permission must be granted by the OSCE.
2. Modification
  1. The Content is selected on the basis of the OSCE’s own criteria and in its sole discretion. The OSCE reserves the right to change, modify, add, or remove any aspect or feature of the OSCE Website at any time, including but not limited to the Terms, Guidelines, or Content.
OSCE Privacy Policy
1. The OSCE is committed to safeguarding the privacy of the users of the OSCE Website, while aiming to provide a personalized and valuable service, and has created this policy in order to demonstrate its commitment to privacy.
2. Information collected
  1. The Website uses cookies to collect anonymous traffic data. The following types of information are also automatically collected when you access the Website: IP addresses, browsing patterns, preferences and geographic location of the user.
  2. This information is not used to gather personally identifiable information. It is only used for administrative purposes and to help diagnose problems to ensure that the website is running well. This information may also be used in aggregate form to gather broad demographic information in order to help us to monitor the use of the Website, identify audience profiles and support strategic planning.
  3. When you send email, form submissions, online job applications or other communications to or through the OSCE Website, those communications and the personal information they contain (e.g., your name, email address, et al) may be retained in order to process and respond to your request. The OSCE will not share, distribute, rent or sell the personal information of any user to any third-party.
3. Use and disclosure of personal information
  1. The OSCE processes personal information collected via its Website for the purposes of:
    1. providing a personalized service;
    2. receiving enquiries and requests for information;
    3. running recruitment competitions;
    4. providing information about the resources and services available.
  2. The OSCE does not disclose any personal information of its users to any outside parties, except when expressly authorized to do so by the user (e.g. newsletter subscription).
4. Other sites
  1. This Website contains links to other, external websites over which the OSCE does not exercise control. These other sites may place their own cookies or other files on your computer, collect data or solicit personal information from you. The OSCE is not and shall not be responsible for the privacy practices of other websites.
5. Google Analytics
  1. This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. ("Google"). Google Analytics uses "cookies", which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyse how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.
OSCE Copyright Policy
1. The content of the Website, including without limitation text, software, scripts, graphics, photos, sounds, music, videos, material, interactive features, and files (collectively known as the “Content”) posted on the OSCE Website or its related pages is owned or licensed by the OSCE, subject to copyright and other intellectual property rights under the law. Content may not be reproduced, copied, distributed, transmitted, broadcast, sold, licensed, or exploited in any way without the express prior written permission of the OSCE.
2. You are responsible for any Content that you submit, post, or display on or through the Website. By submitting, posting, or displaying Content on or through the Website, you grant the OSCE a world-wide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid up license (with the right to sublicense) to use, copy, reproduce, process, adapt, modify, publish, transmit, translate, display, and distribute such Content through any and all media or distribution methods now known or later devised.
3. You agree not to use the OSCE Website to upload, post, email, transmit, or otherwise make available any Content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary right of any party.
4. After obtaining the OSCE’s permission pursuant to Article 4.a above, the OSCE must be credited as a source when using Website Content. For texts, the OSCE, the publication, page, and the author from the originating text must be cited. When using photographs from this Website, both the OSCE and the photographer must be cited.
5. All photographs on the Website, unless expressly credited otherwise, are the sole property of the OSCE and are subject to copyright.
6. For photographs on the Website that are credited to the OSCE, the OSCE hereby grants you permission to reproduce and/or distribute them without charge under the terms and conditions of a Creative Commons Attribution - No Derivative Works license, available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/. When reproducing and/or distributing such photo(s), you must credit both the OSCE and the photographer in the following manner: OSCE/photographers name.
7. For photographs on the Website that are not credited to the OSCE, you must seek permission to reproduce them from the original photographer or agency, as shown in the photograph credits.
User Conduct and Content
1. When using the OSCE Website, you shall not:
  1. defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal, moral, or human rights of others (such as rights of privacy and publicity);
  2. collect email addresses or other personal information of other users;
  3. publish, post, distribute or disseminate any defamatory, infringing, obscene, pornographic, indecent or unlawful material or information;
  4. publish, post, distribute or disseminate any content that advocates unsafe or illegal activities (e.g. drug abuse, bomb making) or features graphic or gratuitous violence;
  5. express any view that could be considered hate speech (speech which attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, and sexual orientation/gender identity);
  6. upload or attach files that contain material protected by intellectual property laws (or by rights of privacy) unless you own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consents;
  7. upload or attach files that contain viruses, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another’s computer;
  8. delete any required author attributions, legal notices, proprietary designations or labels in any file that is uploaded;
  9. falsify the origin or source of software or other material contained in a file that is uploaded;
  10. upload, post, email, transmit, or otherwise make available any advertising, promotional materials, “junk mail,” “spam,” “chain letters,” “pyramid schemes” or any other form of solicitation;
  11. download any file posted by another user that the user knows, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally distributed in such manner;
  12. use or launch of any automated system, including “robots,” “spiders,” or “offline readers,” that accesses the Website in a manner that sends more request messages to the OSCE servers in a given period of time than a human can reasonably produce in the same period by using a conventional online web browser; or
  13. otherwise violate any applicable law.
2. Materials posted or submitted by user(s) on the OSCE Website [or through applicable third-party sites as described in Article 6 below] (collectively known as “User Submissions”) are the responsibility of the applicable user(s). The OSCE expressly disclaims any and all liability that may result from User Submissions.
3. The OSCE may correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions found within the Website, Content, or User Submissions at any time without prior notice to you.
4. The OSCE reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to pre-screen, refuse, correct, edit, move or remove any material posted to or submitted via the OSCE Website, including without limitation to Content and/or User Submissions, without notice to any party.
5. Comments, questions, or suggestions from users (collectively known as “Feedback”) are encouraged. If you submit Feedback about the Website, you agree that the OSCE is entitled to use or disclose such Feedback for any purpose.
Third Party Websites and Services
1. The Website may contain links to [or contain content embedded from] third party websites and/or services, discussions boards, mailing lists, or other communication platforms such as, Facebook®, Twitter®, YouTube®, which are not owned or controlled by the OSCE. The inclusion of these links or materials does not imply an endorsement or approval by the OSCE of any website, product, or service. The OSCE is not liable or responsible for the content, opinions, or policies of any third party websites. It is your responsibility to access and abide by the policies and terms of any third party websites.
2. The Website may include various forums, blogs and links to third-party communication platforms where you can post your observations and comments on designated topics. The OSCE cannot guarantee that other users will not use, reproduce, distribute or misuse the information you share. The OSCE will not be responsible for a user’s misuse or misappropriation of any Content, User Submissions or information you post in forums, blogs, and third party communication platforms.
Information Disclosure
1. The OSCE reserves the right to access, read, preserve and disclose information that is reasonably necessary to (i) enforce the Terms, including investigation of potential violations hereof; (ii) detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues; (iii) respond to user support requests; (iv) protect the rights, property or safety of the OSCE, its users and the public; or (v) respect any applicable local laws.
Termination
1. The OSCE reserves the absolute right to suspend or terminate any user’s account for any reason. The OSCE may change the form and nature of the Website from time to time without prior notice to you. In addition, the OSCE may stop (permanently or temporarily) providing the Website (or any features within the Website) to you or to users generally and the OSCE is not required to provide you with any prior notice.
2. You agree to maintain the confidentiality of your password and account. The OSCE shall not be liable for losses caused by any unauthorized use of your account. You are liable for any loss or damage sustained by the OSCE resulting from any use of your account which is unauthorized and/or violates the Terms.
3. In the case of a user who registers to the Website, you may request removal or alteration of account-specific information at any time you deem necessary. Requests will be processed within a reasonable time.
Marks
1. The OSCE’s name, emblem, and other logos are the exclusive property of the OSCE, are protected under Article 6 of the “Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property” and may not be copied, reproduced, displayed or used without the express, prior written permission of the OSCE.
Disclaimer of Warranties
1. YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT:
  1. YOUR USE OF THE OSCE WEBSITE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE OSCE WEBSITE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. THE OSCE AND ITS OFFICIALS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, AND EMPLOYEES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
  2. THE OSCE AND ITS OFFICIALS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, AND EMPLOYEES MAKE NO WARRANTY THAT (i) THE OSCE WEBSITE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS; (ii) THE OSCE WEBSITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE OR ERROR-FREE; (iii) THE INFORMATION THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OSCE WEBSITE WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE; (iv) THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION OBTAINED BY YOU THROUGH THE OSCE WEBSITE WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS; (v) ANY FILE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOADING THROUGH THE WEBSITE WILL BE FREE OF INFECTION BY SOFTWARE VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPUTER CODE, FILES, OR PROGRAMS; AND (vi) ANY ERRORS IN THE WEBSITE WILL BE CORRECTED.
  3. ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE OSCE WEBSITE IS ACCESSED AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK, AND YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION WITH RESPECT TO ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM, INTERNET ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR DISPLAY DEVICE, OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL.
  4. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM THE OSCE, OR ITS OFFICIALS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, AND EMPLOYEES, OR THROUGH OR FROM THE OSCE WEBSITE SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE TERMS.
Indemnity
1. YOU AGREE TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE OSCE, ITS OFFICIALS, AGENTS, SERVANTS AND EMPLOYEES, FROM AND AGAINST, ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DAMAGES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES OR COSTS (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, AND INDIRECT DAMAGES), EXPENSES, AND ATTORNEY FEES RESULTING FROM (I) YOUR USE OF AND ACCESS TO THE OSCE WEBSITE; (II) YOUR VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE TERMS; (III) YOUR VIOLATION OF ANY THIRD PARTY RIGHT, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY COPYRIGHT, PROPERTY, OR PRIVACY RIGHT; OR (IV) ANY CLAIM THAT YOUR USER SUBMISSIONS CAUSED DAMAGE TO A THIRD PARTY.
Limitation of Liability
1. YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE OSCE AND ITS OFFICIALS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, AND EMPLOYEES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY AND INDIRECT DAMAGES), OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, COSTS, EXPENSES OR ATTORNEY FEES (EVEN IF THE OSCE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE OSCE WEBSITE.
Waiver; Severance
1. The failure of the OSCE to enforce any right under the Terms does not constitute a waiver of this right or provision, and the other provisions of the Terms shall remain in full force and effect.
2. If any provisions or part(s) of the Terms are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a competent authority, the remaining provisions shall be unaffected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Governing Law
1. Any and all disputes relating to the Terms, your use of the OSCE Website, or the Content shall be solely governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Republic of Austria, without regard to any conflicts of laws provisions.
Settlement of Disputes
1. All disputes arising out of or in connection with the Website or Terms shall be settled through negotiation between the applicable parties. If the parties fail to settle the dispute amicably within sixty (60) days of commencement of the negotiations, the dispute shall be settled through arbitration. Arbitration shall be performed in accordance with the UNCITRAL arbitration rules. One (1) sole arbitrator shall be appointed who shall have full powers to make final and binding decisions. The appointing authority shall be the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. The place of arbitration shall be Vienna and the language used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English.
Privileges and Immunities
1. No provision of the Terms shall be deemed or interpreted as waiving any of the privileges or immunities enjoyed by the OSCE.