Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: May 10, 2023

Welcome to the BRICS International Forum website. By accessing or using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions ("Terms"). These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and BRICS International Forum ("BRICS International Forum," "BRICS-IF," "we," "us," or "our").

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, please refrain from accessing or using our website and services. By continuing to use our services, you expressly consent to be bound by these Terms as well as our Privacy Policy.

1. Introduction and Acceptance

These Terms govern your access to and use of www.bricsforum.in and all associated websites, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Services") operated by BRICS International Forum.

By accessing, browsing, or using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, as well as our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these Terms.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website. Your continued use of our Services after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms. It is your responsibility to check these Terms periodically for changes. If you do not agree with any of the changes to these Terms, it is your responsibility to stop using the Services.

2. Intellectual Property Rights

2.1 Ownership

All content on our Services, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, video clips, digital downloads, data compilations, documentation, software, and the compilation thereof (collectively, "Content"), is the property of BRICS International Forum, its affiliates, or its content suppliers and is protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws.

2.2 Limited License

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to access and use our Services for your personal, non-commercial use. You must not:

  • Modify, reproduce, distribute, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, transmit, create derivative works of, or exploit the Content in any way without our prior written consent
  • Remove any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices from the Content
  • Use any data mining, robots, or similar data gathering or extraction methods
  • Use our Services in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair our systems or interfere with other users' use of our Services
  • Access or attempt to access any systems or servers on which the Services are hosted or modify or alter the Services in any way
  • Mirror or frame the website or any Content on any other server or wireless or internet-based device

2.3 Trademarks

"BRICS International Forum," "BRICS-IF," and all related logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of BRICS International Forum or its affiliates. You must not use such marks without our prior written permission. All other names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans on the Services are the trademarks of their respective owners and are protected by applicable trademark and copyright laws.

3. User Conduct and Responsibilities

3.1 General Conduct

When using our Services, you agree to:

  • Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and these Terms
  • Respect the rights and dignity of others
  • Not interfere with the proper functioning of our Services
  • Not attempt to access any part of our Services that you are not authorized to access
  • Not engage in any activity that could compromise the security or integrity of our Services
  • Not use the Services for any illegal or unauthorized purpose

3.2 Prohibited Activities

You must not engage in any of the following activities:

Illegal Activities

Using our Services for any illegal, fraudulent, or unauthorized purpose

Harmful Content

Posting, transmitting, or distributing content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise objectionable

Impersonation

Impersonating any person or entity, falsely claiming an affiliation with any person or entity, or accessing our Services using another user's account without permission

Security Interference

Circumventing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with security-related features of our Services, including features that prevent or restrict the use or copying of any Content

Automated Access

Engaging in any automated use of our Services, such as using scripts to send messages or posts, or using any data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools

System Interference

Attempting to disrupt or burden our infrastructure by sending viruses, overloading, flooding, spamming, or mail-bombing our systems

Unauthorized Collection

Harvesting or collecting email addresses or other contact information from our Services without proper consent

Misrepresentation

Misrepresenting or omitting material information in connection with your use of the Services

4. User Accounts and Registration

4.1 Account Creation

Some aspects of our Services may require you to create an account or provide personal information. When you create an account, you agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete. You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the information you hold for your account, including your password.

4.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to:

  • Immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security
  • Ensure that you log out of your account at the end of each session
  • Not share your account credentials with any third party
  • Take reasonable steps to protect the security of your account

4.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to our Services at our sole discretion, without notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other users of our Services, us, or third parties, or for any other reason. We may also terminate your account due to prolonged inactivity.

If you wish to terminate your account, you may simply discontinue using the Services or contact us to request account deletion. Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease.

5. Content and Submissions

Our Services may allow you to post, submit, publish, display, or transmit content such as comments, suggestions, ideas, or other materials ("User Content"). By providing any User Content on the Services, you grant us and our affiliates a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, and display such User Content in any media.

You represent and warrant that:

  • You own or control all rights in and to the User Content you provide
  • The User Content does not violate the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyright, contractual rights, or any other rights of any person or entity
  • The User Content does not contain any material that is defamatory, obscene, indecent, abusive, offensive, harassing, violent, hateful, inflammatory, or otherwise objectionable
  • The User Content does not include any material that promotes discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age

We have the right, but not the obligation, to monitor, edit, or remove any User Content provided on the Services. We take no responsibility and assume no liability for any User Content posted by you or any third party.

6. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

6.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

OUR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT OUR SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT OUR SERVICES OR THE SERVERS THAT MAKE OUR SERVICES AVAILABLE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

WE DO NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE SERVICES IN TERMS OF THEIR CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.

6.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL BRICS INTERNATIONAL FORUM, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, PARTNERS, SUPPLIERS, OR CONTENT PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

  • YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE OUR SERVICES
  • ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON OUR SERVICES
  • ANY CONTENT OBTAINED FROM OUR SERVICES
  • UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR CONTENT
  • STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON OUR SERVICES
  • ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE SERVICES

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU, IF ANY, FOR ACCESSING OUR SERVICES DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM OR ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100), WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

THE LIMITATIONS OF DAMAGES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THE BASIS OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN YOU AND US. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

7. External Links and Third-Party Content

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites or resources that are not owned or controlled by BRICS International Forum. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or resources.

You acknowledge and agree that we shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any such content, goods, or services available on or through any such websites or resources. We strongly advise you to read the terms and conditions and privacy policies of any third-party websites or services that you visit.

Your participation, correspondence, or business dealings with any third party found on or through our Services, regarding payment and delivery of specific goods and services, and any other terms, conditions, warranties, or representations associated with such dealings, are solely between you and such third party. You agree that we shall not be responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or other matters of any sort incurred as the result of such dealings.

8. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless BRICS International Forum, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees) arising from:

  • Your use of and access to our Services
  • Your violation of any term of these Terms
  • Your violation of any third-party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right
  • Any claim that your User Content caused damage to a third party
  • Any other actions connected with your use of the Services

This defense and indemnification obligation will survive these Terms and your use of our Services. We reserve the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter for which you are required to indemnify us, and you agree to cooperate with our defense of these claims.

9. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

9.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Your use of the Services may also be subject to other local, state, national, or international laws.

9.2 Dispute Resolution

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms, or the breach, termination, or invalidity thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 of India. The place of arbitration shall be New Delhi, India. The language of the arbitration shall be English. The number of arbitrators shall be one.

Before resorting to arbitration, we strongly encourage you to contact us directly to seek a resolution. We will consider reasonable requests to resolve the dispute through alternative dispute resolution procedures, such as mediation.

9.3 Jurisdiction

You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in New Delhi, India, for the resolution of any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of our Services that is not subject to arbitration. Notwithstanding this, you agree that we shall be allowed to apply for injunctive remedies (or an equivalent type of urgent legal relief) in any jurisdiction.

10. Severability and Waiver

10.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be eliminated or limited to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions of these Terms will continue in full force and effect.

10.2 Waiver

No waiver of any term of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term, and our failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by an authorized representative of BRICS International Forum.

11. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices or additional terms and conditions or policies published by us on the Services, shall constitute the entire agreement between you and BRICS International Forum concerning the Services.

These Terms supersede all prior terms, agreements, discussions, and writings regarding the subject matter. There are no third-party beneficiaries to these Terms.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms, please contact our legal department at:

BRICS International Forum

705, New Delhi House, Barakhamba Road

New Delhi - 110001, India

Email: support@bricsforum.in