National Human Ear Resource Network. Supported by: NIH/NIDCD

Terms & Conditions

Updated on December 9, 2025

Last Updated: Dec 09, 2025

This document contains important information regarding your rights and obligations when using the website of the NIDCD National Human Ear Resource (the “Site”). Please read it carefully.

By accessing or using this Site, you affirm that you are of legal age to enter into this agreement and that you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (these “Terms”). You may not use the Site if you do not agree to these Terms or if applicable law prohibits your use of the Site or any of its contents.

These Terms apply to your access to and use of the Site, which presents the National Human Ear Resource network, including participating laboratories at UCLA, University of Minnesota, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University (collectively, the “Participating Institutions”), as well as scientific and educational resources related to human temporal bone research.

We may revise and update these Terms at any time, in our sole discretion. All changes are effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of revised Terms means that you accept and agree to the changes.

You should also carefully review our Privacy Policy before using this Site.

  1. Purpose of the Site

The Site is intended solely for educational, informational, and scientific purposes.
We do not sell products or services, and no commercial transactions occur on or through the Site.

  1. Intellectual Property; Restrictions on Use of Images and Data

All content on the Site—including text, graphics, images, datasets, design elements, and other materials—is owned by or licensed to the NIDCD National Human Ear Resource or the Participating Institutions and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

2.1 Scientific Image Use (Including Temporal Bone Images)

  • Temporal bone images and related scientific resources displayed on the Site may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, modified, distributed, or shared in any form, except with express prior written permission from the NIDCD National Human Ear Resource or the relevant Participating Institution.
  • These materials are provided solely for educational and non-commercial research insight.
  • Unauthorized use may violate federal copyright law and institutional research agreements.

2.2 General Use Restrictions

Except for personal, non-commercial viewing, you may not:

  • reproduce, distribute, or publicly display any content from the Site;
  • use any automated tools such as robots or scraping tools to collect data from the Site;
  • create derivative works from Site content;
  • remove copyright notices or ownership markings.

Nothing in these Terms grants you a license to use any logos, names, marks, or copyrighted materials from the Participating Institutions or the NIDCD.

  1. External Links

The Site contains links to external resources, including a temporal bone donation website. These links are provided for convenience only.

We do not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for the content, policies, or practices of any third-party site. You access such sites at your own risk.

  1. User Conduct

You agree not to:

  • use the Site for any unlawful or harmful purpose;
  • attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site or its servers;
  • interfere with the Site’s operation or security;
  • upload or transmit any harmful code, viruses, or similar material.
  1. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT AVAILABLE THROUGH IT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • MERCHANTABILITY,
  • FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
  • NON-INFRINGEMENT, or
  • ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR RELIABILITY OF CONTENT.

Some jurisdictions may not allow the disclaimer of certain warranties; in those jurisdictions, the above disclaimers apply only to the extent permitted by law.

  1. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE NIDCD NATIONAL HUMAN EAR RESOURCE, THE PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS, AND THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AFFILIATES, RESEARCHERS, STAFF, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR ENHANCED DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR ITS CONTENT.

YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM RELATED TO USE OF THE SITE IS TO STOP USING THE SITE.

  1. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the NIDCD National Human Ear Resource, the Participating Institutions, and their affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from any claim or demand arising out of:

  • your use or misuse of the Site or its content;
  • your violation of these Terms;
  • infringement of any intellectual property or other rights by you or anyone using your access credentials.
  1. No Medical or Clinical Advice

The Site provides scientific and educational information only.
It does not provide medical, diagnostic, or clinical guidance.
For medical advice, always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

  1. Privacy

We respect your privacy. Our Privacy Policy governs the collection and use of personal information obtained through the Site.

  1. Force Majeure

We are not responsible for failure to perform or delays due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, war, labor disputes, system failures, or similar events.

  1. Governing Law

All matters relating to the Site and these Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and, where applicable, the laws of the jurisdiction in which the hosting organization operates, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.

  1. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the Site shall be resolved through good-faith negotiations.
If informal resolution fails, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration under applicable federal law, unless prohibited by local jurisdiction.

Class or representative actions are not permitted.

  1. Notices

We may provide notices by:

  • posting them on the Site, or
  • sending them to the email address you provide (if applicable).

You may contact us via the email or mailing address listed on the Site’s “Contact” page.

  1. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

  1. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the full and final agreement between you and the NIDCD National Human Ear Resource regarding use of the Site.