Legal
Terms of Use
Last updated: November 2, 2026
Welcome to the Ocean & Earth Research Institute ("OERI", "we", "us", or "our"). By accessing or using this website (oeri.science), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please discontinue use of the site immediately. OERI is headquartered in Tortola, British Virgin Islands (VG1110).
1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing this website, you confirm that you are at least 16 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms of Use. These terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the site. OERI reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. Continued use of the site following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.
2. Use of the Website
You may use this website for lawful, non-commercial purposes consistent with its scientific and educational mission. You agree not to use the site to transmit any unlawful, harmful, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable content; to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the site or its systems; to interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the site; or to engage in any automated data collection (scraping, crawling, harvesting) without prior written consent from OERI.
3. Intellectual Property
All content on this website — including but not limited to text, research summaries, scientific data, graphics, photographs, logos, and design — is the property of OERI or its content contributors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content on this site without prior written permission from OERI, except for personal, non-commercial, or academic use with proper attribution.
4. Scientific Content and Accuracy
OERI strives to ensure that all scientific content published on this site is accurate and up to date. However, the information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional scientific advice. Research findings, expedition data, and publication summaries reflect the state of knowledge at the time of publication and may be subject to revision as new evidence emerges.
5. Research Data and Publications
Abstracts, summaries, and excerpts of scientific publications displayed on this site are provided for informational purposes. Full-text access to publications may be subject to the terms of the respective journals or publishers. Any data sets or research materials made available through this site are provided under the specific license terms indicated alongside each resource. Where no license is specified, all rights are reserved by OERI.
6. Third-Party Links and Resources
This website may contain links to external websites, scientific databases, partner institutions, and journals. These links are provided for convenience and informational purposes only. OERI does not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for the content, privacy practices, or accuracy of any third-party sites. Accessing third-party links is done at your own risk.
7. Partnership and Contact Submissions
When you submit a partnership inquiry, research proposal, or any other communication through this website, you grant OERI the right to use the information provided to evaluate and respond to your request. You represent that any information you submit is accurate and that you have the authority to make such a submission on behalf of any institution or organization you represent.
8. Disclaimer of Warranties
This website and its content are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. OERI does not warrant that the site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.
9. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, OERI, its directors, researchers, staff, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of, or inability to use, this website or its content, even if OERI has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
10. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless OERI and its officers, directors, researchers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the site, your violation of these Terms of Use, or your infringement of any intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity.
11. Privacy
Your use of this website is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms of Use by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand our practices regarding the collection and use of your personal information.
12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the British Virgin Islands.
13. Severability
If any provision of these Terms of Use is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
14. Entire Agreement
These Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and OERI with respect to your use of this website and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written.
15. Contact
If you have any questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us at: Ocean & Earth Research Institute, Tortola, BVI VG1110. Email: partnerships@oeri.science