Open Directory Project Terms of Use
Acceptance of Terms
By using the Open Directory Project (ODP) in any way you are agreeing to comply with these terms, which we may update without notice and encourage you to check back here at any time. To use the ODP, you must be legally competent to enter a binding agreement.
Privacy Policy
The only personally identifiable information about you ("PII") (that is, your name, e-mail or physical address, or telephone number) that the ODP receives is any PII you choose to include in the submission form if you submit a site for consideration for inclusion in the ODP. We use such PII only in connection with the provision of the ODP, and do not use it for marketing purposes. We do not share your PII with any outside companies. As explained below, volunteer editors for the ODP may have access to certain PII.
When you use or access the ODP, we automatically receive and store certain information from your browser, including your IP address; your browser type; access date and time; the referring Web site address; the ODP page you requested; and in the case of a search, the specific search terms requested. We use this information for purposes of security, to learn more about how the ODP is used, and to improve the quality and usefulness of the ODP. We do NOT link any of this information with PII, and we do not share this information with any outside companies.
The ODP's thousands of volunteer editors may receive PII about you in certain circumstances, and, because they are volunteers whose activities are not controlled by the ODP, their use of that information is not subject to this Privacy Policy. Volunteer editors may receive PII about you in two circumstances: (1) if you correspond directly with an editor (e.g., to ask a question about why a site is not included), the editor will of course learn your e-mail address, as well as any other PII you choose to share in the e-mail; and (2) if you submit a site for consideration for inclusion in the ODP, editors may access any PII you include in the submission form (e.g., your e-mail address), as well as your IP address.
If you have any questions regarding your privacy, please contact us at staff@dmoz.org.
Special Attention to Children
The ODP Kids and Teens categories link to Web sites that have been selected for age-appropriate content by a team of volunteer editors. Although the ODP Kids and Teens categories do not collect personal information, because the ODP links to other companies' and organizations' Web sites it is important to check the privacy policies of these Web sites to understand how they may collect or use information.
The Internet offers children wonderful educational and entertainment resources. In order to ensure that your children have a safe as well as rewarding online experience, parents may want take advantage some to the useful and comprehensive resources currently available at www.safekids.com and www.safesurfin.com.
Like the rest of the world, the Internet may contain some material that is inappropriate for young audiences. There are a number of ways you can control what your child can see and do online. You may want to consider utilizing filtering software to manage your child's online experience. To learn more about software filtering tools, you can go to www.getnetwise.com. Please remember that while software filtering tools are a great way to control your child's online experience, there is no substitute for parental involvement online.
Security/ No Disruption
You will not disrupt the functioning of the ODP or otherwise act in a way that interferes with other users' use of the ODP.
Netscape Discretion Over Content, Use, And Operation of The ODP
We may edit, move, or delete any content on the ODP (including content that you have provided) or terminate all or part of the ODP without notice or liability for any reason at our sole discretion. You acknowledge that Netscape and the ODP staff have unfettered editorial discretion to determine the structure and content of the ODP and that, because a site's placement in the directory is subject to change or deletion at any time, you may not rely on any aspect of a site's inclusion in the directory. You agree to waive any claim related to the inclusion, placement, exclusion, or removal of any site in the ODP or to the title or description of any site appearing in the ODP.
We are not responsible for any failure to remove or delay in removing harmful, inaccurate, unlawful, or otherwise objectionable content on the ODP originating with or otherwise provided by third parties.
We may preserve or disclose information about users, including those who submit sites for possible inclusion in the ODP, if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that doing so is necessary to (a) comply with legal process; (b) enforce these terms; (c) respond to claims that any content violates the rights of third parties; (d) protect the rights, property, or personal safety of Netscape, its users, or the public; or (e) administer the ODP.
Links to Third-Party Sites
We provide links to other World Wide Web sites or resources. We do not control these sites and resources, do not endorse them, and are not responsible for any aspects of those sites, including their availability, content, accuracy, legality or delivery of services. You waive any claim resulting from your exposure to material on or through the ODP that is offensive, indecent, or otherwise objectionable. You must be at least 18 to view adult-oriented areas of the ODP.
Indemnity
You will indemnify Netscape, and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, agents, and employees against any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, related in any way to your use of or conduct on the ODP.
Disclaimer / Limitation of Liability
WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE ACCURACY, QUALITY, TIMELINESS, AVAILABILITY, OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, OR OTHER MATERIALS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE ODP, AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THEM. WE PROVIDE THE ODP ON AN "AS IS, AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. YOU USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK, AND NETSCAPE, ITS EMPLOYEES, DISTRIBUTORS, DIRECTORS, AND AGENTS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ITS CONTENT OR DELIVERY, OR FOR ANY FORM OF LOSS OR DAMAGE (INCLUDING ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, EVEN IF KNOWN TO US) THAT MAY RESULT FROM ITS USE. WE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. NO WARRANTY NOT SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE VALID. IF ANY OF THE ABOVE PROVISIONS ARE VOID UNDER GOVERNING LAW, OUR LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Copyright Assignment
(Note: If you are only submitting an URL(s) to be included in the directory, this copyright assignment only applies to the site description that you want included in the ODP, but doesn't extend to the actual web site or its content).
To enable us to take appropriate action in the event of infringements by third parties, and in consideration for the opportunity to use and participate in the ODP, you hereby assign to Netscape Communications Corporation the copyright in any material (whether site descriptions, directory organization, or otherwise) that you create and submit for inclusion or use in the ODP. Netscape hereby licenses back to you a nonexclusive, royalty-free right to use any such material. You further warrant that you have all rights necessary to authorize the distribution and re-distribution of any material you submit for inclusion or use in the ODP. You will provide information that we reasonably request related to any claim that material you submit infringes the rights of a third party.
Proprietary Rights
You acknowledge and agree that the content on the ODP and its design, structure, and compilation are protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patents, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights and laws. It is very easy to copy things in cyberspace, but not necessarily always acceptable or legal. Unless otherwise noted, you may view, copy, download, and print Netscape documents from the ODP so long as you use them only for personal, non-commercial purposes and do not post, distribute, or modify them or remove any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices. Any further use of the ODP or its content is governed by the Open Directory License. For permission to use third-party materials appearing on or linked from the ODP, please contact the copyright owner.
Claims of Copyright Infringement
If you believe that your work has been copied and is accessible on the ODP in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please contact us here.
Agreement to Submission Policies and Editor Guidelines
In addition to these terms, if you submit a site for possible inclusion in the ODP, you agree to comply with and be bound by the ODP Submission Policies. In addition, if you apply and are selected to be an Editor of the ODP, you agree to comply with and be bound by the ODP Editor Guidelines.
General Terms
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and Netscape and governs your use of the ODP, superseding any prior agreements. Additional or different terms and conditions may apply when you use affiliated websites, third-party content, or third-party software. Interpretations of the Agreement and determinations that you have breached the Agreement will be made at our reasonable discretion and based on facts known to us. The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia except for its conflict-of-law provisions govern this Agreement and our relationship. You agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Virginia for any claim or dispute with Netscape or any of its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, agents, or employees. Our failure to enforce any right under this Agreement will not waive that right. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid, the Agreement should be interpreted to effect the intent of the parties, and the remaining provisions will remain in effect. You must file any claim or suit related to the ODP within one year after it arises. The section titles in this Agreement are for convenience only and have no substantive effect.