Terms of Use

Please read these terms of service and conditions of use carefully before using this website. By using this website, you signify your consent to these terms of use in addition to any other law or regulation that applies to the website, the Internet, and/or the World Wide Web. If you do not agree to these terms of service and conditions of use, please do not use the website. We reserve the right, at our discretion, to change, modify, add, or remove portions of these terms at any time. Please check these terms periodically for changes. Your continued use of the Virginia Mason Institute website following the posting of changes to these terms (including the Virginia Mason Institute Privacy Policy and house rules) will mean you accept those changes. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND CONDITIONS OF USE STATED HEREIN, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THIS WEBSITE.

Copyright and Ownership

This website is owned and operated by Virginia Mason Institute (“the Institute”) and its affiliates. All of the content featured or displayed on this website, including, but not limited to, text, graphics, photographs, images, moving images, sound, illustrations and software (“Content”), is owned by the Institute, its licensors and/or its content providers. All elements of the Institute websites, including, but not limited to, the general design and the Content, are protected by trade dress, copyright, moral rights, trademark and other laws relating to intellectual property rights. This website, its Content and all related rights shall remain the exclusive property of the Institute or its licensors unless otherwise expressly agreed.

Restrictions on Use of Materials

Except as may be otherwise indicated in specific documents within the website, you are authorized to view, play, print, forward, and download documents, audio and video found on our website for personal, informational, and noncommercial purposes only. Except as permitted above, you may not modify any of the materials and you may not copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer or sell any information or work contained on this website. Except as authorized under the copyright laws, you are responsible for obtaining permission before reusing any copyrighted material that is available on the website. For purposes of these terms, the use of any such material on any other website or networked computer environment is prohibited. You will not remove any copyright, trademark or other proprietary notices from material found on this website.

Corporate Identification, Site Content & Trademarks

All trademarks, service marks and trade names of the Institute used herein (including but not limited to: the Virginia Mason Institute name, the Virginia Mason Institute corporate logo and the Virginia Mason Institute Design) are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Institute or its affiliates. You may not use, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, distribute, or modify the Institute trademarks in any way, including in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of materials on this website, without  the Institute’s prior written consent. The use of the Institute trademarks on any other website or network computer environment is not allowed. You may not use the Institute trademarks as a “hot” link on or to any other website unless establishment of such a link is approved in advance.

Links to Third Parties

This website contains hyperlinks to other websites controlled by third parties. These links are provided solely as a convenience to you and do not imply endorsement by the Institute of, or any affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owner of the linked site. The Institute is not responsible for the contents or use of any linked site, or any consequence of making the link.

Advertising

This website does not host or receive funding from advertising or from the display of commercial content. The Institute does not display banner advertisements that endorse the services of third-party companies or provide a direct channel for revenue. All banners and links to other websites are for informational, educational or the Institute’s fundraising purposes only.

Fees

For all charges for any products and services sold on the website, the Institute will bill your credit card. In the event legal action is necessary to collect on balances due, you agree to reimburse   Institute for all expenses incurred to recover sums due, including attorney’s fees and other legal expenses. You are responsible for purchase of, and payment of charges for, all Internet access services and telecommunications services needed for use of this website.

Product Descriptions

The Institute and its affiliates attempt to describe its products as accurately as possible. The Institute does not, however, warrant that product descriptions are accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. If a product offered by the Institute is not as described, your sole remedy is to return it in unused condition.

Pricing

All prices are listed in U.S. dollars. We cannot confirm the price of an item until you order.

Cancellation

If you are requesting a cancellation for Services you have purchased, you agree that a cancellation notice for delivery of Services received by the Institute more than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the start date of Services will result in a full refund of all fees paid by you to the Institute. A cancellation notice received by the Institute less than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the start date of Services will result in you being responsible for full payment of the invoiced amount. You will have the opportunity to reschedule cancelled Services within six (6) months after receipt of the cancellation notice subject to an administrative fee equal to 10% of the invoiced amount.

Should circumstances necessitate that the Institute cancel Services, the Institute will notify registrants by phone or email twenty (20) calendar days prior to the start of the service. In the unlikely event of cancellation, registrants will be offered the option to register for alternate Services or receive a full refund. The Institute will not be held responsible for any incidental costs incurred (hotel, airfare, change fee, etc.).

Forums and Public Communication

“Forum” means a chat area, bulletin board, or email function offered as part of the Institute online presence. You shall not upload to, distribute through, or otherwise publish through the Institute website any content which is libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, threatening, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, abusive, illegal, or otherwise objectionable that would constitute or encourage a criminal offense, violate the rights of any party, or that would otherwise give rise to liability or violate any law. The forums shall be used only in a non-commercial manner. You must follow the house rules whenever you are using the Institute’s website.

By uploading materials to any forum or submitting any materials to us, you automatically grant (or warrant that the owner of such materials has expressly granted) the Institute a perpetual, royalty-free, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from and distribute such materials or incorporate such materials into any form, medium, or technology now known or later developed throughout the universe.

Termination

These terms are effective until terminated by either party. You may terminate these terms at any time by destroying all materials obtained from any and all of the Institute website(s) and all related documentation and all copies and installations thereof, whether made under the terms of these terms or otherwise. These terms will terminate immediately without notice from the Institute if in the Institute’s sole discretion you fail to comply with any term or provision of these terms. Upon termination, you must destroy all materials obtained from this site and any and all other Institute site(s) and all copies thereof, whether made under the terms of these terms or otherwise.

Disclaimer

Your use of and browsing of this website are at your own risk. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED ABOVE, EVERYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NONINFRINGEMENT. THE INSTITUTE MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEBSITE, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY, TIMELINESS OR ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEBSITE FOR ANY PURPOSE. THE INSTITUTE DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE MATERIALS WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT THIS SITE OR THE SERVER THAT MAKES SUCH MATERIALS AVAILABLE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. THE INSTITUTE DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE MATERIALS IN THIS SITE IN TERMS OF THEIR CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. YOU (AND NOT THE INSTITUTE) ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION. APPLICABLE LAW MAY NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold the Institute and any affiliated company or individual harmless from any and all liabilities, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, related to any violation of these terms by you or your authorized users, or in connection with the use of the website or the Internet or the placement or transmission of any message or information on this website by you or your authorized users. Members of any membership area on any Company website are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their password and account. Members are entirely responsible for any and all activities that occur under their account and agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the providers for any liability or expense arising from such use or misuse. Members agree to immediately notify the providers of any unauthorized use of their account or any other breach of security known to them.

Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INSTITUTE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO, OR USE OF, THIS WEBSITE OR THE CONTENT THEREON, WHETHER IN A CONTRACT ACTION OR BASED ON NEGLIGENCE, OR OTHER TORT ACTION, OR ANY OTHER CLAIM WHATSOEVER, EVEN IF THE INSTITUTE OR AN INSTITUTE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. APPLICABLE LAW MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INSTITUTE’S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, AND CAUSES OF ACTION WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NEGLIGENCE), OR OTHERWISE EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU, IF ANY, FOR ACCESSING THIS SITE.

No Endorsement

You shall not use the Institute’s name or any language, pictures or symbols which could, in the Institute’s judgment, imply the Institute’s endorsement in any (i) written or oral advertising or presentation, or (ii) brochure, newsletter, book, or other written material of whatever nature, without prior written consent.

Force Majeure

Neither the Institute nor you shall be responsible for damages or for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts or occurrences beyond their reasonable control, including, without limitation: fire, lightning, explosion, power surge or failure, water, acts of God, war, revolution, civil commotion or acts of civil or military authorities or public enemies: any law, order, regulation, ordinance, or requirement of any government or legal body or any representative of any such government or legal body; or labor unrest, including without limitation, strikes, slowdowns, picketing, or boycotts; inability to secure raw materials, transportation facilities, fuel or energy shortages, or acts or omissions of other common carriers.

Governing Law

This website is created and controlled by the Institute in the state of Washington. These disclaimers, terms, and conditions of use are governed by the laws of the State of Washington. By using this website, you hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of courts in King County, Washington, in all disputes arising out of or relating to the use of this website. If any portion of these terms is held to be unenforceable, the unenforceable portion shall be construed in accordance with applicable law to the greatest extent possible to reflect the original intentions of the parties, and the remainder of the provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The Institute’s failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of these terms shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right.

Additional Terms

Additional terms and conditions may apply to the purchase of products and services and other uses of this website. By using this website, you agree to such terms and conditions.

Entire Agreement

These terms and conditions are the entire agreement between the user and the Institute and supersedes any prior understandings or agreements (written or oral).

Copyright

All text, images, animation, videos, music, sounds, website design, graphics, text selections, arrangements, and all software are Copyright © 2015, Virginia Mason Institute.