Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern access to and use of the europeanopensource.eu website (the "Platform"). The Platform is operated by the European OpenSource collective ("European OpenSource", "we", "our", "us"), a not‑for‑profit, community‑driven initiative. Contact: support \[@\] europeanopensource \[.] eu.

1. Definitions

• Platform: The website, its subpages, underlying code, APIs (if any) and services made available at europeanopensource.eu.
• Project: An open-source software project submitted for listing or showcased on the Platform.
• Submitter: Any natural person or legal entity submitting or requesting listing of a Project.
• User: Any visitor or person accessing or browsing the Platform.
• Content: Texts, data, metadata, images, logos, marks, documentation, submissions and any material displayed on or transmitted through the Platform.
• Open Source License: The license(s) declared by a Project's repository maintainers governing its source code.

2. Purpose of the Platform

The Platform promotes, maps and amplifies European open-source projects and digital sovereignty initiatives. We do not provide consumer‑facing paid services, do not operate an app store, and do not sell products. The Platform is informational and curatorial; listings are not endorsements, certifications, due‑diligence outcomes or guarantees of quality, security or compliance.

3. Acceptance of Terms

• Accessing or using the Platform constitutes acceptance of these Terms. If you disagree, discontinue use immediately.
• Supplemental policies (e.g. Privacy Policy, Cookie notices, Manifesto, Submission Guidelines) form part of these Terms by reference.
• We may update these Terms (see Section 16). Continued use after publication of changes indicates acceptance.

4. Access and Permitted Use

• Access is free; we may restrict availability for maintenance, security or legal reasons.
• You must not: (i) use the Platform for unlawful, deceptive, defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, hateful, privacy‑violating or harmful purposes; (ii) introduce malware, attempt to probe, scan or test vulnerabilities, overload infrastructure, or bypass technical or organizational measures; (iii) misrepresent affiliation or impersonate others; (iv) collect personal data from the Platform except as explicitly permitted by applicable law and our Privacy Policy.
• You are responsible for connection costs, equipment and compliance with local laws.

5. Accounts / Authentication

If at any time the Platform offers user accounts or authenticated submission channels, additional terms will apply. Until then, submissions may occur via forms, GitHub repositories or email and you must ensure accuracy and authorization for any data you provide.

6. Intellectual Property & Licenses

• Platform source code and site‑authored Content (unless specifically stated otherwise) are released under the license published in our public repository: Project Repository (LICENSE).
• Third‑party trademarks, service marks, names and logos referenced remain the property of their respective owners. Their appearance does not imply affiliation or endorsement.
• Project code is governed solely by the license chosen by its maintainers; European OpenSource does not relicense, audit or guarantee compatibility. Conflicts between displayed metadata and a repository's actual license must be resolved by consulting the upstream source.
• You grant us the license specified in Section 12 for submissions. You retain ownership of your Content subject to that license.

7. Third‑Party Content, Links & Dependencies

• The Platform may reference or link to external sites, package registries, code repositories or documentation. We do not control and are not responsible for any external resource, its availability, security, compliance or content.
• Inclusion of a link or Project does not constitute endorsement, partnership or warranty.
• Open source software involves inherent risks (bugs, vulnerabilities, intellectual property claims). Users must perform independent evaluation.

8. Security & Responsible Disclosure

• Do not exploit discovered vulnerabilities. Report suspected security issues to security \[@\] europeanopensource \[.] eu with enough detail to reproduce.
• We operate on a best‑effort basis; no bug bounty or compensation is offered unless explicitly announced.

9. Data Protection & Privacy

We strive to minimize collection of personal data and process any data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and applicable EU & Member State laws. See our Privacy Policy for details. Reference: legitimate interests in operating an informational platform, responding to notices, ensuring security and moderation.

10. Project Submission & Admission Criteria

10.1 Mandatory Eligibility

Projects must satisfy ALL mandatory criteria:

• European nexus: At least one of: (i) legal entity incorporated in an EU/EEA Member State; (ii) majority (≥ 2/3) of founders or beneficial maintainers hold EU/EEA citizenship; (iii) primary maintainer holds EU/EEA citizenship or residency.
• Values alignment: Tangible commitment to privacy, accessibility & inclusivity, sustainability / responsible digital practices, and contribution to public good.

10.2 Quality (Accelerated Review)

• Clear problem–solution fit & measurable impact.
• End‑user documentation & usage guidelines.
• Developer / contributor documentation.
• Identifiable, contactable maintainers.
• Active maintenance cadence (recent commits / releases).

10.3 Submission Process

1. Submission: Provide repository URL, declared license, contact details, impact narrative, governance model and sustainability indicators.
2. Review: Editorial & technical screening for eligibility, documentation completeness, governance clarity, maintenance health.
3. Publication: Approved Projects listed; visibility may include feeds, newsletters or social dissemination.

10.4 Removal & Discretion

• Ongoing compliance: Projects may be de‑listed if criteria cease to be met or if new criteria apply retroactively.
• Editorial discretion: We may reject or remove Projects for broader reasons (e.g. legal risk, ethical concerns, quality assurance, brand/reputation protection).
• No guarantee: Compliance does not ensure publication; decisions are final and non‑appealable.
• Communication: Submitters notified via provided contact channels.

10.5 Criteria Evolution

• Adaptive: Criteria evolve with European digital sovereignty priorities & best practices.
• Retroactivity: New criteria may apply to existing listings; removal may ensue.
• Notice: Material changes communicated where reasonably feasible.

10.6 Responsibility & Indemnity

• Third‑party origin: Project materials originate from third parties. We do not independently verify technical accuracy, security posture, IP cleanliness, legal compliance or sustainability claims.
• No recourse: On a voluntary, best‑effort basis we shall not be liable for any claim, damage, loss, cost or removal impact relating to listing or de‑listing.
• Indemnity: Submitters represent they possess rights to submit materials and will indemnify and hold harmless European OpenSource against third‑party claims arising from their Content or misrepresentations.
• License to use submissions: Grant of a worldwide, non‑exclusive, transferable (solely for infrastructure/service providers), sub‑licensable (for caching/CDN), royalty‑free license to host, reproduce, cache, display, index, adapt (formatting only) and communicate submissions for review, listing, promotion and archival. Archival copies may persist for compliance / history.

11. Notice‑and‑Action (Illegal Content / IP)

We implement a notice‑and‑action mechanism aligned with applicable EU law, including the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065) and, where relevant, the e‑Commerce Directive 2000/31/EC, for hosting functionalities we provide. We are a limited‑function intermediary offering curated links and metadata, not continuous active monitoring.

11.1 Submitting a Notice

Send an email to support \[@\] europeanopensource \[.] eu including:

• Full name and affiliation (if any) and contact email.
• Precise URL(s) and description of allegedly illegal or infringing Content.
• Legal basis and rationale (e.g. copyright ownership, trademark rights, court order, statute).
• Good‑faith statement of accuracy and authority to act.

11.2 Our Response

• We assess complete notices and may remove, restrict or request clarification; we may inform the Submitter where legally required.
• Incomplete, abusive or manifestly unfounded notices may be rejected.
• We may request further information to establish authenticity or scope.

12. Feedback & Improvements

• Voluntary feedback, suggestions or ideas you provide may be used without obligation. You grant a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty‑free license to use, adapt, publish or incorporate feedback into the Platform or related initiatives.

13. Availability, Changes & Force Majeure

• We may modify, suspend or discontinue the Platform (or any feature) without liability.
• We are not liable for delays or failures caused by events reasonably beyond our control (e.g. natural disasters, war, civil unrest, labor disputes, utility failures, widespread Internet outages, regulatory actions, supply chain disruption).

14. Disclaimers & Warranties

• The Platform and all Content are provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranties of any kind (express, implied, statutory), including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non‑infringement, accuracy, completeness, reliability, security or availability.
• We do not warrant absence of vulnerabilities, bugs or third‑party IP claims in listed Projects; Users must conduct independent due diligence.
• No oral or written information or advice creates any warranty.

15. Limitation of Liability

• To the maximum extent permitted by law, we exclude liability for: (i) indirect, incidental, special, punitive or consequential damages; (ii) lost profits, revenue, savings, data, goodwill or reputation; (iii) business interruption; (iv) procurement of substitute goods or services; (v) any reliance placed on Platform Content or listings.
• Where liability cannot be excluded, it is limited to the lesser of EUR 100 and the minimum amount mandated by applicable non‑waivable law.
• Nothing excludes liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or any liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

16. Changes to Terms

• We may update these Terms at any time. The "Last Updated" date below will change and amendments take effect upon publication unless otherwise stated.
• Material changes may, where feasible, be highlighted or announced. Continued use constitutes acceptance.

17. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

• If you are a consumer habitually resident in the EU/EEA, you benefit from mandatory consumer protection provisions of your local jurisdiction (Rome I Regulation).
• Subject to those protections, these Terms shall be governed by the laws of [INSERT MEMBER STATE] without regard to conflict of law rules, and the courts of [INSERT CITY / MEMBER STATE] shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory jurisdiction rules (e.g. Brussels I Recast) apply.

18. Export & Compliance

• Open source software may be subject to export control laws. You are responsible for compliance with EU, US and other applicable export, sanctions and trade regulations regarding use or redistribution.

19. Accessibility & Inclusion

• We pursue continuous improvement aligned with WCAG and inclusive design principles. Please report accessibility issues to accessibility \[@\] europeanopensource \[.] eu.

20. Miscellaneous

• Severability: Invalid or unenforceable provisions are modified to the minimum extent necessary or severed; remaining provisions remain in effect.
• No waiver: Failure or delay in exercising rights is not a waiver; any waiver must be in writing.
• Assignment: You may not assign or transfer rights or obligations without prior written consent; we may assign as part of organizational restructuring of the not‑for‑profit initiative.
• Entire agreement: These Terms (plus incorporated policies) constitute the entire agreement regarding Platform use.
• Language: English version prevails; translations are non‑binding convenience copies.
• Headings: Headings are for convenience and do not affect interpretation.
• Relationship: No partnership, joint venture, employment or agency relationship is created by use of the Platform.
• Survival: Sections relating to intellectual property, submissions license, disclaimers, limitation, governing law, indemnity and miscellaneous survive termination of use.
• Electronic communications: You consent to receiving communications electronically and agree such satisfy legal requirements for written communication to the extent permitted.

Last Updated: 31 October 2025