Terms of Use of the Conference Platform of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences

Last amended 03 / 2021

1. General Terms of Use / Purpose

The conference platform is operated by Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences.

The information processing infrastructure of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is made available for academic purposes in teaching, study, research and further education. In addition, it supports the tasks and services of the university administration, the university library and the data processing centre as well as fulfilling other tasks of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences.

The conference platform of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is subject to the requirements of the applicable IT usage rules of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences. Private use of the conference platform is not permitted.

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences grants users access to the conference platform and its elements such as meetings, discussion forums, message systems, etc. The specialist content of the respective courses is used to inform users and is also used for teaching and learning in order to strengthen self-learning skills.

2. Authorised users

The authorised users are divided into three groups as follows:

• Group 1: Anonymous visitors to the conference platform (without login)
• Group 2: Guests of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (e-mail self-registration)
• Group 3: All members of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (e-mail self-registration)

3. Range of services

The user authorisation includes access to the contents of the respective conference. Specifically, these are:

• The online retrieval and use of the materials for the purpose of information and learning or the creation of learning content for teachers.
• The platform's communication options consist of e-mail, discussion forums, groups and chat.
• Copying, downloading and printing of content for the private use of users for information and learning purposes is permitted.

4. Terms of Use

• 4.1 Without prejudice to other and/or further legal prohibitions, the publication of content is not permitted if:
  • it displays unauthorised and/or criminal acts,
  • it contains pornographic representations,
  • it disparages or denigrates person(s) in a degrading and defamatory manner,
  • there are actual indications on the basis of which it must be assumed that person(s) do not agree with the planned publication, or
  • there are actual indications on the basis of which it must be assumed that the rights of third parties (e.g. copyrights, trademark rights, industrial property rights, etc.) have been infringed by the publication and that consent to publication has not been given.
  Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences excludes any responsibility for any legal violations by users.
• 4.2 Any production of copies of any kind (documents, diskettes, hard copies, etc.) and/or their passing on to third parties who are not authorised to access them, both during and after termination of the access authorisation, is not permitted if this is contrary to copyright law and shall lead to the immediate, automatic termination of the usage authorisation. The same applies to every time the content of the conference platform is made accessible to third parties who are not authorised to access it. In these cases, the right to take civil and criminal steps against the user remains reserved.
• 4.3 Users who receive advertising by message are obliged to forward such messages to the administrator immediately.
• 4.4 Each user is responsible for the storage and confidentiality of the access data (username and password). Passing on the access data is not permitted. The permission to use is valid exclusively for the user entered under the - user registration -.

5. Limitation of Liability

• 5.1 The use of the conference platform and the content offered cannot be guaranteed continuously.
• 5.2 Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences provides the systems for use on an "as is" basis. No specific properties are expressly guaranteed. There is no guarantee that it is free from errors. There is no guarantee that the conference platform is suitable for the purposes of the users and that it will work with existing software.
• 5.3 Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences shall not be liable for damage resulting from the use of the platform.

6. Consent to the User Agreement

All authorised users agree to comply with all provisions of these terms of use and the IT usage rules at all times when they use the conference platform. Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences reserves the right to block access to the conference platform if the terms of use are disregarded or not complied with.

7. Logging

The data processing centre of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is entitled, pursuant to the IT usage rules, to document and evaluate the use of the information processing infrastructure by the individual users in the following cases:

1. to ensure proper system operation,
2. for resource planning and system administration,
3. to protect personal and business-sensitive data,
4. for the detection and elimination of faults and
5. to investigate and prevent illegal or improper use.

The data protection officer and the staff council are expected to be involved in inspecting the documents to be evaluated.

8. Transfer

The transfer of media/data to third parties may only take place for evidence purposes to authorised authorities such as the police, the public prosecutor's office or the courts for the purpose of criminal prosecution, provided a judicial decision has been made.

9. Copyright

Unless otherwise noted, all copyrights to the content of the conference platform remain the property of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences or the respective authors. The right of use extends only to the expressly granted types of use in accordance with Section 2 and as far as this is stipulated by the applicable IT usage rules of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences.

10. Storage of personal data in accordance with GDPR

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences advises all users to observe the relevant data protection regulations. The storage of personal data (e.g. last name, first name, e-mail address and session registrations) takes place insofar as they are a prerequisite for communication between conference participants or for access to conference content (e.g. lectures, workshops). You can find more information in the data protection notice.

The right to informational self-determination ensures that data subjects are allowed to decide for themselves about the disclosure and use of their personal data. The consent of third parties, insofar as they are part of the medium, must be obtained through the author or the authorised user. If minors are involved, it should be noted that, under applicable law, the consent of both parents for publication in the media is required. The author or the authorised user is responsible for the lawful publication of the media.

11. Amendment of Terms

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is entitled to amend or change these terms of use at any time without prior notice. In the event of an infringement, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is entitled to prohibit further usage with immediate effect.