Terms of Service

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using any services, websites, tools, or applications provided by the VIABLE Lab at the University of Florida ("we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services.

Updates to Terms

• We may update these Terms from time to time
• Updates will be posted on this page with a new effective date
• Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of updated Terms
• Significant changes will be communicated through appropriate channels

Scope of Agreement

• These Terms apply to all VIABLE Lab services, tools, and platforms
• Additional terms may apply to specific services or research studies
• These Terms supplement, not replace, any research consent forms

Our Services

The VIABLE Lab provides educational research tools, platforms, and services designed to advance learning through technology. Our services include:

Educational Tools

• Learning management systems and educational platforms
• AI-powered tutoring and assessment tools
• Data visualization and analytics dashboards
• Research instruments and data collection tools

Research Platforms

• Online experiment platforms
• Data collection and analysis tools
• Collaboration platforms for research teams
• Educational content and resource libraries

Academic Resources

• Publications and research findings
• Educational materials and documentation
• Technical resources and APIs
• Community forums and support

User Accounts

Some of our services may require you to create an account. When creating and maintaining an account, you agree to:

Account Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use
• Update your information as needed to keep it current

Account Restrictions

• You must be at least 13 years old to create an account
• One account per person unless specifically authorized
• Accounts are non-transferable
• You are responsible for all activity on your account

Educational Contexts

• In educational settings, accounts may be managed by institutions
• Student accounts may have additional restrictions
• Teachers and administrators may have additional privileges

Acceptable Use

You agree to use our services in a lawful and appropriate manner. The following uses are prohibited:

Prohibited Activities

• Violating any applicable laws or regulations
• Harassing, threatening, or intimidating other users
• Uploading malicious code, viruses, or harmful content
• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to systems or data
• Interfering with the normal operation of our services
• Impersonating others or providing false information

Research Ethics

• Respect the privacy and dignity of research participants
• Follow institutional research ethics guidelines
• Obtain proper consent before collecting data
• Use research tools only for their intended purposes

Educational Use

• Use educational tools to support legitimate learning goals
• Respect academic integrity policies
• Do not share account credentials with others
• Follow your institution's acceptable use policies

Intellectual Property

Respect for intellectual property rights is fundamental to our academic mission:

Our Rights

• We retain ownership of our software, tools, and platforms
• Our educational content and materials are protected by copyright
• Trademarks and branding elements belong to the University of Florida
• Some tools may be available under open-source licenses

Your Rights

• You retain ownership of content you create using our tools
• You grant us necessary rights to provide services
• Your research data remains your intellectual property
• Academic publications follow standard attribution practices

Permitted Uses

• Educational use in accordance with fair use principles
• Research activities with proper attribution
• Non-commercial use unless otherwise specified
• Sharing with appropriate credit and permissions

DMCA Compliance

• We respect intellectual property rights and respond to valid DMCA notices
• Copyright owners may request removal of infringing content
• Users may submit counter-notices for disputed takedowns
• Repeat infringers may have their access terminated

Research Participation

As an academic research lab, we conduct studies to advance educational technology. Participation in research is subject to additional terms:

Voluntary Participation

• All research participation is voluntary
• You may withdraw from studies at any time
• Non-participation does not affect service access
• Separate informed consent is required for research studies

Data Collection

• Research data collection follows IRB-approved protocols
• Data is anonymized or pseudonymized when possible
• Personal identifiers are protected and limited
• Data retention follows institutional policies

Publication and Dissemination

• Research findings may be published in academic venues
• Individual participants are not identifiable in publications
• Data may be shared with other researchers under appropriate agreements
• You may request updates on research findings

Disclaimer of Warranties

Services are provided "as is" and "as available," without any express or implied warranties. Our services are provided for educational and research purposes. Please note the following disclaimers:

Service Availability

• Services are provided on an "as-is" basis
• We do not guarantee continuous availability
• Services may be interrupted for maintenance or updates
• Some services are experimental and may have limitations

Educational Outcomes

• We do not guarantee specific learning outcomes
• Educational effectiveness may vary among users
• Tools are designed to support, not replace, instruction
• Results depend on proper use and individual factors

Research Results

• Research findings are preliminary and subject to peer review
• Results may not be generalizable to all populations
• Tools are prototypes and may have limitations
• Academic research follows scientific methodology

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the VIABLE Lab and the University of Florida shall not be liable for:

Damages

• Direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Loss of data, profits, or business opportunities
• Damages arising from service interruptions or errors
• Third-party actions or content

Service Limitations

• Technical malfunctions or system failures
• Compatibility issues with user devices or software
• Network or internet connectivity problems
• Actions of other users or third parties

Maximum Liability

• Our total liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law
• For free services, liability is limited to the cost of replacement services
• This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory of liability

Termination

These Terms remain in effect until terminated by either party:

Termination by You

• You may stop using our services at any time
• Account closure can be requested through our support system
• Some data may be retained for research purposes as disclosed
• Termination does not affect previously granted rights

Termination by Us

• We may terminate access for violation of these Terms
• We may discontinue services with reasonable notice
• Emergency termination may occur without notice for serious violations
• We will attempt to provide data export opportunities when feasible

Effect of Termination

• Your right to use our services ends immediately
• Data handling follows our Privacy Policy
• Certain provisions survive termination (e.g., intellectual property)
• Research data retention follows institutional policies

DMCA & Copyright

We respect intellectual property rights and comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA):

Copyright Infringement Notice

If you believe your copyrighted work has been infringed, please provide:

• A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner
• Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
• Identification of the infringing material and its location
• Your contact information (address, phone, email)
• A statement of good faith belief that use is not authorized
• A statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury

Counter-Notice

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

• Your physical or electronic signature
• Identification of the removed material and its former location
• A statement under penalty of perjury of good faith belief
• Your contact information and consent to jurisdiction

DMCA Contact

Send DMCA notices to: [email protected]

Accessibility

We are committed to making our services accessible to all users:

Accessibility Standards

• We strive to comply with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility guidelines
• Our tools support screen readers and assistive technologies
• We provide alternative formats for multimedia content when possible
• Keyboard navigation is supported across our platforms

Accessibility Support

• Report accessibility issues to: [email protected]
• We will respond to accessibility requests in a timely manner
• Alternative access methods may be provided when needed

Section 508 Compliance

• As a public university lab, we comply with Section 508 requirements
• Our tools meet federal accessibility standards
• Regular accessibility audits are conducted

Dispute Resolution

We prefer to resolve disputes through informal communication:

Informal Resolution

• Contact us first to discuss any concerns or disputes
• Most issues can be resolved through direct communication
• We will respond to dispute notifications in a reasonable timeframe

Formal Dispute Process

• If informal resolution fails, disputes may be escalated
• University of Florida policies may provide additional remedies
• Small claims court may be appropriate for certain disputes

Class Action Waiver

• Disputes must be resolved on an individual basis
• Class action lawsuits are not permitted
• This waiver does not apply where prohibited by law

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida and the United States:

Jurisdiction

• Disputes will be resolved in the courts of Florida
• Federal law applies where applicable
• Educational privacy laws (FERPA, COPPA) may apply

International Users

• International users may have additional rights under local laws
• EU users have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Data transfer mechanisms comply with applicable international standards

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: