Terms of Use

Columbia Engineering Web Site(s)/Service(s) Terms of Use

Agreement Between You and the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York ("Columbia University") on behalf of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site is made up of various Web sites and Web pages operated by Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT), 615 West 131st Street, New York, NY 10027. This Terms of Use applies to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site and does not apply to the content of third parties.

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site is offered to you conditioned on your acceptance without modification of the terms, conditions, and notices contained herein. Your use of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) constitutes your agreement to all such terms, conditions, and notices.

Changes to and Termination of ServicesColumbia University and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science shall have the right at any time to change or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, any aspect or feature of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s), including, but not limited to, content, hours of availability, and equipment needed for access or use. Each user's use of particular services may be subject to specific guidelines or rules ("Service-specific Rules") posted from time to time and incorporated by this reference into the Terms of Use.

EquipmentSubscriber shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all computer hardware and other equipment needed for access to and use of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) and all charges related thereto. To use the services, each user must independently obtain access to the World Wide Web, either directly or through devices that access Web-based content, and pay any and all service fees or equipment costs associated with such access.

Privacy and Protection of Personal InformationSee the Privacy Statement at http://www.engineering.columbia.edu/privacy/ for disclosures relating to the collection and use of your personal information.

Accounts, Passwords, and SecurityCertain areas of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site require you to open an account with The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science or to use your Columbia University ID.

Should you be required to open an account with The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, you must complete the registration process by providing us with current, complete, and accurate information as prompted by the applicable registration form. You will choose a password and a username.

When you use any account for access to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s), you are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account. Furthermore, you are entirely responsible for any and all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security. Neither Columbia University nor The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science will be liable for any loss that you may incur as a result of someone else using your password or account, either with or without your knowledge. However, you could be held liable for losses incurred by Columbia University, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science or another party due to someone else using your account or password. You may not use anyone else's account at any time, without the permission of the account holder. You must exit from your account at the end of each session.

Modification of These Terms of UseColumbia University and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science reserves the right to change the terms, conditions, and notices under which The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site is offered or to impose new conditions. Such changes, modifications, additions or deletions shall be effective immediately upon notice thereof, which may be given by means including, but not limited to, posting on The Fu Foundation Web Site(s). You are responsible for regularly reviewing these terms and conditions and additional terms posted on particular Web sites. Your continued use of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site constitutes your agreement to all such terms, conditions, and notices.

Personal and Non-Commercial Use LimitationThe Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site is for your personal and non-commercial use. You may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information, software, products or services obtained from The Fu Foundation Web Site. Without the advance express written permission of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, you may not "meta-search" The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s), send, or cause to be sent, any automated queries of any sort to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s)s, or use The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s)s in any commercial manner. You agree not to sell, resell or offer for any commercial purposes, any portion of the site(s)/service(s), use of the site(s)/service(s) or access to the site(s)/service(s).

Links to Third-Party SitesThe Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s)s may contain images of and links to third party Web sites ("Linked Sites"). The Linked Sites are not under the control of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and neither Columbia University nor The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is responsible for the contents of any Linked Site, including without limitation any link contained in a Linked Site, or any changes or updates to a Linked Site. Neither Columbia University nor The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is responsible for Web casting or any other form of transmission received from any Linked Site nor is The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science responsible if the Linked Site is not working appropriately. The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Columbia University or The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science of the site or any association with its operators. You are responsible for viewing and abiding by the privacy statements and terms of use posted at the Linked Sites.

No Unlawful or Prohibited UseAs a condition of your use of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s), you will not use The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these terms, conditions, and notices. You may not use The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair any of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) (or the network(s) connected to any of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s)) or interfere with any other party's use and enjoyment of any of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s). You may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s), other accounts, computer systems or networks connected to any of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s), through hacking, password mining, or any other means. You may not obtain or attempt to obtain any materials or information through any means not intentionally made available through The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s).

Use of ServicesThe Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s)(s) may contain email services, bulletin board services, chat areas, news groups, forums, communities, personal Web pages, calendars, photo displays, and/or other message or communication facilities designed to enable you to communicate with others (collectively, "Communication Services").

You agree to use the Communication Services only to post, send and receive messages and material that are proper and, when applicable, related to the particular Communication Service. By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree that when using a Communication Service, you will not:

• Use the Communication Service in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise).
• Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.
• Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any inappropriate, profane, defamatory, obscene, indecent or unlawful topic, name, material or information.
• Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any topic, name, material or information that incites discrimination, hate or violence towards one person or a group because of their belonging to a race, a religion, or a nation, or that insults the victims of crimes against humanity by contesting the existence of those crimes.
• Upload, or otherwise make available, files that contain images, photographs, software, or other material protected by intellectual property laws, including, by way of example, and not as limitation, copyright or trademark laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless you own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consents to do the same.
• Use any material or information, including images or photographs, which is made available through The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s)(s) in any manner that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right of any party.
• Upload files that contain viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another's computer or property of another.
• Use of meta-tag searches on the Web sites.
• Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any business purpose, unless such Communication Service specifically allows such messages.
• Download any file posted by another user of a Communication Service that know, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally distributed in such manner.
• Falsify or delete any author attributions, legal or other proper notices or proprietary designations or labels of the origin or source of software or other material contained in a file that is uploaded.
• Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Communication Services.
• Violate any code of conduct or other guidelines which may be applicable for any particular Communication Service.
• Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including email addresses.
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations.
• Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
• Use, download or otherwise copy or provide (whether or not for a fee) to a person or entity any directory of users of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s)(s) or other user or usage information or any portion thereof.

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science has no obligation to monitor the Communication Services. However, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science reserves the right to review materials posted to a Communication Service and to remove any materials in its sole discretion. The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science reserves the right to terminate your access to any or all of the Communication Services at any time, without notice, for any reason whatsoever.

Columbia University and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science reserve the right at all times to disclose any information as Columbia University or The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science deems necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to edit, refuse to post, or to remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of Columbia University or The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Always use caution when giving out any personally identifiable information about yourself or your children in any Communication Service.

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science does not control or endorse the content, messages, or information found in any Communication Service and, therefore, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and Columbia University specifically disclaim any liability with regard to the Communication Services and any actions resulting from your participation in any Communication Service.

Community leaders and hosts are not authorized spokespersons of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and their views do not necessarily reflect those of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Materials uploaded to a Communication Service may be subject to posted limitations on usage, reproduction, and/or dissemination, you are responsible for adhering to such limitations if you download the materials.

Materials Provided to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science or Posted Within The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web SiteThe Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and Columbia University do not claim ownership of the materials you provide to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (including feedback and suggestions) or post, upload, input, or submit to any of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) or its associated services for review by the general public, or by the members of any public or private community, (each a "Submission" and collectively "Submissions"). However, by posting, uploading, inputting, providing, or submitting ("Posting") your Submission, you are granting The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science permission to use your Submission in connection with the operation of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Alumni Publications, including, but not limited to, Engineering News. This permission includes, without limitation, the license rights to: copy, distribute, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, reproduce, edit, translate and reformat your Submission; to publish your name in connection with your Submission.

No compensation will be paid with respect to the use of your Submission, as provided herein. The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is under no obligation to post or use any Submission you may provide and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science may remove any Submission at any time in its sole discretion.

By Posting a Submission you warrant and represent that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to your Submission as described in these Terms of Use including, without limitation, all the rights necessary for you to provide, post, upload, input or submit the Submissions.

Each user, by using The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s), may be exposed to content that is offensive, indecent, or objectionable. Each user must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such content.

General Practices Regarding Use and StorageThe Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science may establish general practices and limits concerning use of the site(s)/service(s). While The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science will use reasonable efforts to back up site data and make such data available in the event of loss or deletion, neither Columbia University nor The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science has any responsibility or liability for the deletion or failure to store any messages and other communications or other content maintained or transmitted by any site(s)/service(s). The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science reserves the right to mark as "inactive" and archive accounts and/or projects that are inactive for an extended period of time. The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science reserves the right to change these general practices any time in its sole discretion.

Termination/Access RestrictionColumbia University and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate your access to any or all of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) and the related services or any portion thereof at any time, without notice.

Neither Columbia University nor The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science shall have any obligation to maintain any content or to forward any unread or unsent messages to you or any third party.

Copyrights and Copyright AgentThe Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science respects the rights of all copyright holders and in this regard, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science has adopted and implemented a policy that provides for the termination in appropriate circumstances of account holders who infringe the rights of copyright holders. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science's Copyright Agent the following information required by the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 512:
A physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed;
Identification of the copyright work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works at a single online site are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works at that site;
Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material;
Information reasonably sufficient to permit us to contact the complaining party;
A statement that the complaining party has a good-faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

For copyright inquiries under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act please contact:

Columbia University Information Technology
615 West 131st Street, Mail Code: 8750
New York, NY 10027
Email: [email protected]

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

THE INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES INCLUDED IN OR AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES MAY INCLUDE INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CHANGES ARE PERIODICALLY MADE TO THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES AND TO THE INFORMATION THEREIN. THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE MAY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR CHANGES IN THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES AT ANY TIME. ADVICE RECEIVED VIA THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR PERSONAL, MEDICAL, LEGAL OR FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL FOR SPECIFIC ADVICE TAILORED TO YOUR SITUATION.

NEITHER COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NOR THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY, AVAILABILITY, TIMELINESS, LACK OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS AND ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS CONTAINED WITHIN THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES FOR ANY PURPOSE. ALL SUCH INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE AND COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WORKMANLIKE EFFORT, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

YOU SPECIFICALLY AGREE THAT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA, ANY MATERIAL OR DATA SENT OR RECEIVED OR NOT SENT OR RECEIVED, OR ANY TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITE(S)/SERVICE(S). YOU SPECIFICALLY AGREE THAT THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY THREATENING, DEFAMATORY, OBSCENE, OFFENSIVE OR ILLEGAL CONTENT OR CONDUCT OF ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY INFRINGEMENT OF ANOTHER'S RIGHTS, INCLUDING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. YOU SPECIFICALLY AGREE THAT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONTENT SENT USING AND/OR INCLUDED IN THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITE(S)/SERVICE(S) BY ANY THIRD PARTY.

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES, WITH THE DELAY OR INABILITY TO USE THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES OR RELATED SERVICES, THE PROVISION OF OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICES, OR FOR ANY INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS OBTAINED THROUGH THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES, OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES.

BECAUSE SOME STATES/JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH ANY PORTION OF THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES, OR WITH ANY OF THESE TERMS OF USE, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO DISCONTINUE USING THE FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE WEB SITES/SERVICES.

GeneralThis agreement is governed by the laws of the State of New York. You hereby irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of courts in New York, New York, in all disputes arising out of or relating to the use of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s).

You agree to indemnify and hold The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University, subsidiaries and their trustees, officers, employees, and agents harmless from any claim, demand, or damage, including reasonable attorneys' fees, asserted by any third party due to or arising out of your use of or conduct on The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s).

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science reserves the right to disclose any personal information about you or your use of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s), including its contents, without your prior permission if The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science has a good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (1) conform to legal requirements or comply with legal process; (2) protect and defend the rights or property of Columbia University or The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science; (3) enforce the terms or use; or (4) act to protect the interests of its members or others. The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science's performance of this agreement is subject to existing laws and legal process, and nothing contained in this agreement is in derogation of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science's right to comply with governmental, court and law enforcement requests or requirements relating to your use of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) or information provided to or gathered by The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science with respect to such use.

If any part of this agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law including, but not limited to, the warranty disclaimers and liability limitations set forth above, then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remainder of the agreement shall continue in effect. Unless otherwise specified herein, this agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the user and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science or Columbia University with respect to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) and it supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral or written, between the user and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science or Columbia University with respect to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s). A printed version of this agreement and of any notice given in electronic form shall be admissible in judicial or administrative proceedings based upon or relating to this agreement to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICES:

All contents of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Web Site(s)/Service(s) are:

Copyright © 2003
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
2960 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
All rights reserved.