TERMS OF USE
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Welcome to the NextSteps Website
The NextSteps ("NextSteps " or "service") is a program of the Johns Hopkins Univeristy (“JHU”) designed to assist trauma patients to learn the skills required to become a trauma self-manager.
The following terms constitute an agreement between you ("user") and JHU, the operator of the NextSteps service ("we" or "us"). This agreement ("Terms of Use") governs your use of this website, both as a casual visitor and as a registered member of NextSteps. By using the service or becoming a member of NextSteps, you signify that you agree to these terms of service, and you consent to the privacy and data rights & usage policies referenced herein. Please note, this site is offered, "as is" and without warranties. You may receive a copy of this Terms of Use Agreement by emailing us at:
admin@nextstepsonline.org, Subject: Terms of Use Agreement.
Eligibility
Use of the NextSteps service and registration to be a member of NextSteps is void where prohibited. By using the NextSteps website, you represent and warrant that (a) all registration information you submit is truthful and accurate; (b) you will maintain the accuracy of such information; © you are 13 years of age or older; and (d) your use of the NextSteps service does not violate any applicable law or regulation. The NextSteps website is a general audience site and is not directed toward, nor knowingly collects personally identifiable information from children under 13 years of age.
Term
This agreement, and any posted revision to this agreement, shall remain in full force and effect while you use the NextSteps service or are a member of NextSteps. You may terminate your membership at any time, for any reason, by emailing us at:
remove@nextstepsonline.org, Subject: Remove Account. JHU may restrict or terminate your membership at any time, for any or no reason, with or without prior notice or explanation, and without liability. JHU may immediately terminate your membership without notice or liability if the user:
* uses false data for the purpose of registration;
* violates these Terms of Use; or
* violates any applicable laws in the access to or use of the NextSteps website.
Your right to use the NextSteps service will end once your membership is canceled or terminated, and any data you provide through the website may be unavailable later, unless we are required to retain it by law.
Registration
Limited areas of the NextSteps website are available to unregistered users, who can gather information about the NextSteps program prior to registering. Users who choose to register a member account with the NextSteps service are entitled to access additional resources, sign up a NextSteps class, contribute content in community forums, and customize the NextSteps service through the creation of a personal profile.
In order to register as a member of the NextSteps website, you will provide some basic information to us about yourself, such as your e-mail address and your zip code. Additionally, during the registration process you will select a screen name (i.e. "nickname") and create a password to associate with your e-mail address. These are your credentials for accessing NextSteps services that are only available to members. You may not use a screen name that is offensive, attempts to impersonate another person, or violates the rights of others.
User Responsibilities
You may use the NextSteps service for lawful, non-commercial purposes only. When accessing or using the NextSteps service, the user shall not:
* act in any fashion or encourage any action that might harm, harass or endanger another person;
* infringe on the personal rights of others;
* post information that could create a privacy or security risk for another person;
* contribute content or conduct oneself in a manner that would be considered offensive or indecent;
* violate the intellectual property, proprietary rights, or any other rights of others;
* transmit, store or upload files or contents to which the user is not entitled;
* post a photograph or video of another person without that person's consent;
* distribute or post advertising materials or unsolicited e-mails (e.g. "spam," "junk mail," "chain letters");
* use the NextSteps service in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, impair, or compromise our servers, networks or data;
* attempt to gain unauthorized access to any services, user accounts, or computer systems or networks; or
* provide false data for the purpose of registration or otherwise attempt to evade the requirements of eligibility.
User Generated Content
This site is intended for personal, non-commercial, use by trauma survivors. The NextSteps website contains areas where registered members can enter data about themselves to customize their NextSteps profile or provide content for consumption by the NextSteps community. User generated content includes, but is not limited to: personal profile information, uploaded pictures or videos, personal stories, communications with other users through the mail center and postings within community forums and chat room. Registered members are given an opportunity to tailor their privacy settings to adjust how personal information they choose to provide may be displayed in various areas of the website and to whom. By default, when you post content to areas viewable by other users, your content will be associated with your screen name, the date you joined NextSteps, and your photo if you've provided one in your profile. Please remember that any information that you post in public areas such as the community forums or information you make available to a broad base of users by virtue of your privacy settings is, by design, open to the public and may appear in search engine results.
JHU does not and will not claim any ownership rights in the text, files, images, photos, video, or any other content that you post on or through the NextSteps service. After posting your content, you continue to retain any such rights that you may have in your content, subject to the limited license herein. By displaying or publishing any content on or through the NextSteps service, you hereby grant to JHU and its affiliates a limited license to use, modify, delete from, add to, display, reproduce, and distribute such content on or through the NextSteps service. This limited license is non-exclusive, provided at no cost by the user, and does not grant JHU or its affiliates the right to sell or otherwise distribute your content outside of the NextSteps service without your express permission. If you choose to remove your content from the NextSteps website, we will cease distribution as soon as practicable, and at such time when distribution ceases, the license will terminate. Additionally, by posting content in areas viewable by other users, you grant any those users the right to access, display, view, store, and reproduce this material solely for their personal, non-commercial use.
At all times, you are solely responsible for the content, photographs, graphics, messages, music, sound, text or other material that you post or display on the NextSteps website or transmit to other site users as well as for your interactions with other users of the service. You agree that no materials submitted through your account will violate, plagiarize or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyright, trademark, privacy or other personal or proprietary rights; or contain libelous, defamatory or otherwise unlawful material. JHU reserves the right to reject, refuse to post or remove user generated content at its sole discretion within all areas of the NextSteps website, including from individual member profiles, without notice or explanation. This includes any content that in the sole judgment of JHU violates these Terms of Use or may otherwise be considered offensive, commercial, illegal, inappropriate to the context of this site, or that might violate the rights of, harm or threaten the safety of any site user or third-party. The need of JHU to take such actions may result in the termination of user's membership privileges.
JHU assumes no responsibility for monitoring the NextSteps service for inappropriate content or conduct. Any user who finds material posted by another user objectionable is encouraged to contact us via e-mail. If at any time JHU chooses, in its sole discretion, to monitor the NextSteps service, JHU nonetheless assumes no responsibility for the content or conduct of its users and is not obligated to modify or remove any inappropriate content.
JHU does not represent or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of materials posted by users or endorse any opinions expressed by users. You acknowledge that any reliance on material posted by other users will be at your own risk.
Content from the NextSteps website may not be distributed by the user to any third party at any time without the express, written permission of JHU, contributor or copyright holder as appropriate. JHU may make use of legal and technical remedies to prevent the violation of these provisions and to enforce these Terms of Use.
In addition to posting content through the NextSteps service, you may submit feedback to us by contacting JHU (contact information below). By doing so, you agree that JHU may use in any manner and without limitation all comments and suggestions you provide, and that JHU will own all intellectual property we choose to create based upon this feedback.
Privacy
Use of the NextSteps service is also governed by our Privacy Policy as well as our Data Rights and Usage Policy, which are incorporated into this Agreement by this reference.
Communication with NextSteps
In order to become a registered member of the NextSteps website, you agree to receive e-mail communications necessary to assist in the enabling and subsequent management of your account. NextSteps and your affiliated trauma center may use contact information you provide to communicate with you regarding services you have requested and regarding your account. You may modify e-mail and privacy settings within your personal profile but understand that you may still occasionally receive messages related to either account management or NextSteps services for which you choose to sign up.
Links to Other Sites
Please note that some pages within this web site are linked to web sites not managed by JHU. JHU shall have no liability for the contents of such web sites and use of such web pages shall be at the sole risk of the user. JHU does not review, control or take responsibility for the content of these web sites. Links from this web site to web sites not managed by JHU do not imply endorsement or credibility of the service, information or product offered through the linked sites. Please be aware most information transmitted over the Internet is not secure; thus, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Once you link to another site, you are subject to the privacy policy of the new site.
Disclaimer and Limit of Liability
This web site is designed for educational purposes only and is not for rendering medical advice. The information provided through this web site is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect that you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.
The information provided on the NextSteps website is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind and JHU hereby disclaim all warranties and conditions, whether express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with regard to any information provided on the NextSteps website. JHU makes no warranties about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the website, the material or other content posted on the website, or the services, software, text, graphics and links provided on the website. JHU does not warrant that the website will operate error-free or that the website and its server are free from viruses.
JHU assumes no liability of any kind for any of the information contained in the NextSteps website or for any diagnosis, treatment, or other patient management decisions made in reliance thereof. In no event shall JHU or any third parties mentioned on the website be liable for any damages whJHUoever (including, without limitation, incidental and consequential damages, lost profits or damages resulting from lost data or business interruption) resulting from the use or inability to use the website and the material posted on the website, whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory, and whether or not JHU is advised of the possibility of such damages. JHU may make improvements or changes to its features, functionality, or content at any time without notice to user or third-parties.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless JHU, its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents and employees from and against any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal costs that may be made by any third party, due to or arising out of your conduct in connection with the NextSteps website or service, your provision of content, your violation of these terms of use, or your violation of the rights of another person or party.
Copyright
Copyright gives the owner exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, or license a given work. Even in instances where a web site or document does not include a symbol (e.g. ©) or other indication about the copyright holder, the U.S. copyright act nonetheless provides protection for such works and they may not be used or reproduced without permission.
Copyright Information
All rights reserved by JHU. No part of the NextSteps website can be reproduced, distributed or otherwise used without the express written permission of JHU.
Layout, site design, NextSteps logo and database copyright 2009 by the Johns Hopkins University.
All text, images, animations, and information contained on this site are the intellectual property of JHU or third parties (including individual users of the NextSteps website), unless otherwise registered and protected under the U.S. Copyright Act 17 U.S.C. 101-810.
Notification of Copyright Infringement
JHU respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects its users to do the same. You may not upload, embed, post, e-mail, transmit or otherwise make available any material that infringes any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary rights of any person or entity. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"), JHU will respond to notices of alleged infringement that are reported to JHU's Designated Copyright Agent at:
DMCA Copyright Agent
WE NEED TO DO THIS!
Governing Law
These terms of service are governed by laws of the State of Maryland. Jurisdiction for any claims arising under these terms of service shall lie exclusively with the state or federal courts within the State of Maryland. If any provision of these Terms of Use is found to be invalid by any court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these Terms of Use, which shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any term of these Terms of Use shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term.
Certain services on the NextSteps website may have additional terms (such as policies, guidelines, and rules) that will further govern your use of that particular service and supplement these Terms of Use. If you choose to register for or access any such service, you will be presented with any relevant additional terms and conditions at that time. By using those services, you agree to comply with such additional guidelines and rules.
Policy Changes
JHU may occasionally modify this agreement, which shall be effective upon posting by JHU on the NextSteps website. Your continued participation in the NextSteps after JHU posts a revised agreement signifies your acceptance of the revised agreement. It is recommended that you review this agreement regularly to ensure you are informed of any changes.
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PRIVACY POLICY
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Introduction and Purpose
This statement sets out the Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) policy relating to the collection and use of your personal information in the NextSteps website. This policy is in addition to the NextSteps Terms of Use Agreement and applies only to the NextSteps website and not to any other sites that are linked to or mentioned on the site. Your registration as a NextSteps member constitutes your agreement to terms of this policy as well as the Terms of Use.
Stored Information
Of the information we learn about you from your visit to the NextSteps website, we store the following: the IP address from which you access the Internet, the date and time, the Internet address of the website from which you linked directly to our site, the name of the file or the words you searched, and the browser used to access our site. This information is used to measure the number of visitors to the various sections of our site and identify system performance or problem areas. We also use this information to help us improve features of the site and to make the site more useful.
Personally Provided Information
If you choose to provide us with personal information by sending an email, or by filling out a form with your personal information and submitting it through our Web site, we use that information to respond to your message and to help us provide you with information or material that you request. Your personal information is important to us. JHU recognizes that your privacy is very important to you. When you register with the NextSteps you will be asked to enter a username. Your username and the date you join the NextSteps are the only pieces of personal information that will be automatically available to all users. We suggest that you use a pseudonym or a made-up username.
Personally Identifiable Information
The NextSteps service only gathers personally identifiable information within the confines of the registration process and your password-protected personal profile page. Any personal or sensitive information you provide in other areas of the NextSteps website (e.g. community forums or chats) or through separate communications with other users of the NextSteps service (e.g. e-mails, phone calls, group meetings), should be considered public and undertaken at your own risk.
User Choice and Control
Whenever reasonably possible, we offer you choices when we ask for personal information and we tell you why we collect different types of information. You may always decline to provide personal information to us or refuse cookies in your browser, although some features or services may not function properly as a result. Registered users of the NextSteps service have the means to control account preferences within the "My Profile" area of the website, including the ability to change or update contact information and privacy settings. Additionally, registered users may terminate their accounts at any time.
Why NextSteps collects personal information from you
When you register with the NextSteps website you will be asked to enter some information, which you may consider to be sensitive, about yourself. The program asks for this information in order to provide you with tailored and specifically relevant information about programs and services available through the NextSteps. Information is also collected in summary form about most frequently visited pages. This is intended to help the NextSteps website designers understand how visitors use the NextSteps website. All the information gathered is subject to reasonable and appropriate security measures.
Cookies
The NextSteps website uses transient or session cookies. Cookies are pieces of information that a website transfers to your computer's hard disk when you open the NextSteps web pages. Cookies by themselves do not identify you or any user but they do identify your browser. Because the NextSteps uses ‘transient' cookies, your computer does not retain the information delivered in the cookie once you leave the NextSteps site. When you close your browser the transient cookie set up by NextSteps is destroyed, and no personal information is retained which could identify you or your browser next time you log on to NextSteps. Most web browsers are set up to accept cookies, and while you can set your browser to not accept cookies you will not be able to use NextSteps if you do this.
Security
JHU will endeavor to take all reasonable administrative, technical, personnel and physical measures to safeguard personal information in its possession against loss, theft and unauthorized use, disclosure or modification. Your information is held on a secure server that is in controlled facilities. In addition, all the staff of JHU, as well as all contractors that provide services related to our information systems, will endeavor to protect the confidentiality of any personal information held by the NextSteps website.
You can also play an important role in keeping your personal information secure by doing the following:
* use a made up username;
* choose a password that's easy for you to remember but difficult for someone else to figure out – don't use your name, address, phone number, Social Security number, common numerical sequences or the word "password;"
* do not tell your password to anyone;
* log out and close your browser when you finish your online session; and
* install and keep up-to-date antivirus software and spyware protection.
Information disclosure to third parties
We know how important it is to keep the information you've entrusted to us confidential. JHU will not use or disclose any information about you without your consent unless we are required to do so by law. We will not give any of your personal information, your username or your browser details to any advertisers. We do not sell, rent, share, or otherwise willfully disclose to any third party, email addresses or other personally identifiable information shared on this site except to provide you with a product or service you request or under certain circumstances as described below. In all other cases, we will ask for your permission before we disclose your personal information.
Disclosure for legal reasons
We may release personal information to third parties to: (i) to comply with valid legal requirements such as a law, regulation, search warrant, subpoena or court order; (ii) protect or defend the legal rights or property of JHU, its agents and contractors (including enforcement of our agreements); (iii) protect the safety and security of users of the NextSteps service or the public, including acting in urgent circumstances, or cases in which we believe it is reasonably necessary to investigate or prevent harm, fraud, abuse, or illegal conduct. In the event that we are legally compelled to disclose your personal information to a third party, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you unless doing so would violate the law or court order.
Agents and contractors
Contractors sometimes have access to your personal information in the course of assisting in operating our business and providing products or services to you. These contractors include vendors and suppliers that provide us with technology, services, and content for the operation and maintenance of our site.
Aggregated, non-personal information
We may share aggregated information about you with third parties. This is information that is combined with the non-personal information of other users and does not allow you to be identified or contacted.
Communications
In addition to communicating with you regarding your account and services that you specifically request, the following details how NextSteps may address certain other types of communication.
Electronic mail
Messages that you send to us via the e-mail links on the NextSteps website may be shared with a customer service representative or an individual or entity that may be best suited to handle your request. We may occasionally send you service-related e-mails, such as a welcome e-mail when you register with our site. When you join a class through the NextSteps website, the designated class leader may e-mail announcements to all class members.
Sharing the NextSteps Website
When using sharing services available through the NextSteps website, the recipient's e-mail address is only used to facilitate the communication, is not retained by us, and will not be used for any other purpose. In instances where this sharing service requires other third party username or account information, we similarly do not retain or use these data for any other purpose.
Policy Changes
JHU may occasionally modify this policy, which shall be effective upon posting by JHU on the NextSteps website. Your continued participation in the NextSteps after JHU posts a revised policy signifies your acceptance of the revised policy. It is recommended that you review this policy regularly to ensure you are informed of any changes.
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