General Terms and Conditions

Version: 0.6
Date: 05 October 2024

TTConnect aims to facilitate the negotiation and/or signature of contracts and/or agreements between two parties. TTConnect GmbH ("TTConnect", "we", "our" or "us") operates the www.ttconnect.org website ("the Website" or "our Website"). This page informs you of the Usage Terms and Conditions (the "Terms") for our Website, which include our Data Privacy Terms regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information. By using our Website, you accept these Terms, whether on behalf of yourself or a legal entity you represent.

BY ACCESSING, USING, OR DOWNLOADING ANY MATERIALS FROM THE WEBSITE, YOU AGREE TO FOLLOW AND BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED AND MUST CEASE USING THE WEBSITE IMMEDIATELY.

Definitions

Registered User is a person who has registered on ttconnect.org and hence has an account on the TTConnect Website.
User is a person using the TTConnect Website, who does not necessarily have an account on the TTConnect Website.
Contracting Parties: The two groups of people who negotiate and/or sign a contract and/or agreement via TTConnect. Each Contracting Party is typically composed of multiple individuals, including but not limited to employees of an institution and representatives and advisers of the institution. This group can include both Registered Users and Users.
User Agreement: The contract and/or agreement negotiated and/or signed by the Contracting Parties via TTConnect.
Third Party Outside of the Two Contracting Parties is defined in relation to one specific contract or agreement being negotiated via the TTConnect Website and consists of a person or legal entity that is not a Contracting Party nor an employee of TTConnect.

Changes to Terms & Conditions

TTConnect is continuously improving the Website and its services to its users. Hence, TTConnect reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions in a reasonable fashion to adapt to these changes, as well as to changes in national and international laws. Changes in the Terms & Conditions will be published on this Website and will take effect immediately upon posting. It is your responsibility to review these Terms and Conditions prior to each use of our Website. Nonetheless, Registered Users will also be prompted to read and accept any revised Terms and Conditions upon logging in. IF YOU CONTINUE TO USE THE WEBSITE AFTER THE REVISIONS TAKE EFFECT, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE REVISED TERMS. You agree that we shall not be liable to you or to any Third Party for any revision to the Terms. Users who do not agree with the changes should stop using the TTConnect Website immediately.

Communications

You agree to receive all communications, correspondences, and notices that we provide in connection with our Website, including any TTConnect services, via electronic means, including by e-mail. To the fullest extent permitted under applicable laws, you agree that all Communications we provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such Communications be in writing or be delivered in a particular manner.

Restrictions on Use

By using our Website, you specifically agree not to engage in any activity or transmit any information that, in our sole discretion:

Is illegal, or violates any law or regulation;
Advocates illegal activity or discusses illegal activities with the intent to commit them;
Violates any third-party right, including, but not limited to, right of privacy, right of publicity, copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or any other intellectual property or proprietary rights;
Is harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, indecent, defamatory, sexually explicit or pornographic, discriminatory, vulgar, profane, obscene, libelous, hate speech, violent or inciting violence, inflammatory, or otherwise objectionable;
Interferes with any other party's use and enjoyment of the Website;
Attempts to impersonate another person or entity;
Falsely states, misrepresents, or conceals your affiliation with another person or entity;
Is of a commercial nature in a way that violates these Terms, including but not limited to, using the Website for spam, surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, or other advertising materials;
Distributes computer viruses or other code, files, or programs that interrupt, destroy, or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or electronic communications equipment;
Interferes with, disrupts, disables, overburdens, or destroys the functionality or use of any features of the Website, or the servers or networks connected to the Website;
"Hacks" or accesses without permission of confidential records, those of another user, or those of anyone else;
Improperly solicits personal or sensitive information from other users including without limitation address, credit card or financial account information, or passwords;
Decompiles, reverse engineers, disassembles, or otherwise attempts to derive source code from the Website, except as expressly permitted in these Terms or by law, unless and then only to the extent permitted by applicable law without our consent;
Removes, circumvents, disables, damages, or otherwise interferes with security-related features, or features that enforce limitations on use of the Website;
Modifies, copies, scrapes or crawls, displays, distributes, publishes, licenses, sells, rents, leases, lends, transfers, or otherwise commercializes any materials or content on the Website;
Downloads (other than through page caching necessary for personal use, or as otherwise expressly permitted by these Terms), distributes, posts, transmits, performs, reproduces, broadcasts, duplicates, uploads, licenses, creates derivative works from, or offers for sale any content or other information contained on or obtained from or through the Website, by any means except as provided for in these Terms or with the prior written consent of TTConnect; or
Attempts to do any of the foregoing.

You also agree you shall not license, sub-license, sell, re-sell, rent, lease, transfer, distribute or time share or otherwise make any portion of the TTConnect website available for access by Third Parties.

Confidentiality of User Content

TTConnect will not disclose to any Third Party Outside of the Two Contracting Parties any data related to User Agreements. Furthermore, TTConnect will store all contracts and/or agreements as encrypted files.

Notwithstanding the above, we may access, preserve, or share these data when (i) we believe in good faith that such sharing is reasonably necessary to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding possible illegal activities or to comply with legal process (e.g. a subpoena or other legal process), and/or (ii) in situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, violations of the TTConnect Usage Terms, and/or to protect the rights, property and safety of TTConnect or our employees. This may involve the sharing of your information with law enforcement, government agencies, courts, and/or other organizations. In such cases, TTConnect will inform you at the time of sharing.

User Content Suitability

The Website may enable you to submit, post, upload, or otherwise make available (collectively, "Post") content such as questions, public messages, ideas, product feedback, comments, files, and other content (collectively, "User Content") that may or may not be viewable by other users. You acknowledge and agree that we may or may not, at our discretion, pre-screen User Content before its appearance on the Website, but that we have no obligation to do so. You further acknowledge and agree that we reserve the right (but do not assume any obligation) in our sole discretion to reject, move, edit, or remove any User Content that is Posted to the Website. Without limiting the foregoing, we have the right to remove any User Content that violates these Terms or is otherwise objectionable in our sole discretion. You acknowledge and agree that we do not verify, adopt, ratify, or sanction User Content, and you agree that you must evaluate and bear all risks associated with your use of User Content or your reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of User Content.

You agree that you will not upload to TTConnect any Sensitive Personal Data as defined by GDPR (for example genetic, biometric and health data, as well as personal data revealing racial and ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or ideological convictions or trade union membership).

You agree that you are responsible for data that you provide to, or use on the Website. You are solely responsible for determining the suitability of use of the Website for your business or organization and complying with any regulations, laws, or conventions applicable to the data you provide and your use of the Website.

TTConnect is not responsible for the contents of your contracts and agreements

Although TTConnect facilitates the negotiation and/or signing of contracts and/or agreements by Contracting Parties, TTConnect is in no way responsible for the contents or quality of the User Agreements. This is entirely and solely the responsibility of the Contracting Parties. In particular, TTConnect is not responsible for any damage, injury, death, or consequence caused to either Contracting Party or to any Third Party due to any contents, either present in, or omitted from, User Agreements. Likewise, TTConnect is in no way responsible for the contents of the User Agreement files and related files. In particular, you are responsible for taking all necessary precautions to ensure that any content or material you obtain from our Website is free of any potentially harmful agents or devices, including viruses.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions may be construed to make TTConnect a party to any contract and/or agreement processed or signed through TTConnect.

Electronic Signature

Certain types of contracts and/or agreements may be excepted from electronic signature laws (e.g. wills and agreements pertaining to family law), or may be subject to specific regulations promulgated by various government agencies regarding electronic signatures and electronic records. TTConnect is not responsible or liable to determine whether any particular contract or agreement is (i) subject to an exception to applicable electronic signature laws; (ii) subject to any particular agency promulgations; or (iii) can be legally formed by electronic signatures.

Certain consumer protection or similar laws or regulations may impose special requirements with respect to electronic transactions involving one or more "consumers," such as (among others) requirements that the consumer consent to the method of contracting and/or that the consumer be provided with a copy, or access to a copy, of a paper or other non-electronic, written record of the transaction. TTConnect does not and is not responsible to: (i) determine whether any particular transaction involves a "consumer;" (ii) furnish or obtain any such consents or determine if any such consents have been withdrawn; (iii) provide any information or disclosures in connection with any attempt to obtain any such consents; (iv) provide legal review of, or update or correct any information or disclosures currently or previously given; (v) provide any such copies or access, except as expressly provided in the Documentation for all transactions, consumer or otherwise; or (vi) comply with any such special requirements.

Storage of User Agreement Files and Related Data

TTConnect will store the User Agreement Files and all related data, and make them accessible to the Contracting Parties until the Contracting Parties agree to delete these files and/or data from the Website. Notwithstanding the above, both Contracting Parties are responsible to save copies of these files, in particular the fully-executed Contracts and/or Agreements, on their own computers and/or servers. Although TTConnect will do its best to prevent loss of these files by performing data backups, TTConnect is not responsible for any damage, injury, death, or consequence caused by the possible loss of these files and/or data from the TTConnect computers and/or servers. Furthermore, TTConnect may, at its sole discretion, delete these data and/or files after informing the Contracting Parties and waiting twenty-eight (28) days to enable the Contracting Parties to save the data on their own computers. This may happen, for instance, if the storage capacity of TTConnect computers becomes limiting, or if we are required to delete the data by law (e.g. EU GDPR).

TTConnect may delete a User account and all associated data, including without limitation User Agreement Files. This may happen at the explicit direction of the User associated to an account. In such cases, the Contracting Parties of all related User Agreement files will be informed, and then the data will be deleted after waiting twenty-eight (28) days to enable the Contracting Parties to save the data on their own computers. Notwithstanding the above, TTConnect will normally not delete fully executed User Agreement files.

TTConnect is not responsible for determining how long any contracts, documents, and other records are required to be retained or stored under any applicable laws, regulations, or legal or administrative agency processes. Further, TTConnect is not responsible for or liable to produce any Contracts and/or Agreements processed via TTConnect to any Third Parties.

WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMERS

THE WEBSITE AND ANY INFORMATION WE SUPPLY YOU ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE". YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE AND INFORMATION SHALL BE AT YOUR SOLE RISK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT LEGALLY POSSIBLE, TTCONNECT AND ITS RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, MEMBERS, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, AND LICENSORS: (a) MAKE NO ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED (EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW), OR STATUTORY, AS TO ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER; (b) EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, QUALITY, ACCURACY, AND TITLE; AND (c) DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION ARE OR WILL BE ERROR-FREE, WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, OR BE TIMELY OR SECURE. YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE AND/OR INFORMATION. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT ANY CONTENT OR MATERIAL YOU OBTAIN FROM OUR WEBSITE ARE FREE OF ANY POTENTIALLY HARMFUL AGENTS OR DEVICES, INCLUDING VIRUSES.

TTCONNECT MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS THAT THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DUE SKILL, CARE AND DILIGENCE OR ABOUT THE ACCURACY OR THEREOF, AND ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY: (i) ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES RELATED TO THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION; (ii) PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION; (iii) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF OUR WEBSITE OR INFORMATION, AND/OR ANY AND ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION STORED ON THE WEBSITE; (iv) ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM THE WEBSITE; (v) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, OR THE LIKE THAT MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE THROUGH THE ACTIONS OF ANY THIRD PARTY; (vi) ANY LOSS OF YOUR DATA OR OTHER CONTENT FROM THE WEBSITE; AND/OR (vii) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ANY OF YOUR DATA OR CONTENT OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF ANY CONTENT POSTED, EMAILED, TRANSMITTED, OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE WEBSITE. YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE OR PASS ON ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY ON BEHALF OF TTCONNECT TO ANY THIRD PARTY. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IN THAT EVENT, SUCH WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY AND FOR THE MINIMUM WARRANTY PERIOD ALLOWED BY THE MANDATORY APPLICABLE LAW.

INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS

You will defend, indemnify, and hold us, our officers, directors, employees, suppliers, consultants, and agents harmless from any and all third-party claims, liability, damages, and costs (including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees) arising from or related to, as applicable: (a) your access to and use of the Website; (b) violation of these Terms by you or; (c) infringement of any intellectual property or other right of any person or entity by you; (d) the nature and substance of all documents, data, or other content uploaded by you to the Website; or (e) any products or services obtained by you in connection with the Website.

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN THESE TERMS, TTCONNECT WILL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, COVER, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE USE OF THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION WE SUPPLY YOU, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, GOODWILL, WORK STOPPAGE, LOST REVENUE OR PROFITS, OR LOSS OF BUSINESS, EVEN IF APPRISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH LOSSES, AND WHETHER SUCH CLAIMS ARE MADE BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL TTCONNECT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM ANY: (a) USE OF THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION WE SUPPLY YOU; (b) ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES OF THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION; (c) PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION; (d) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION, AND/OR ANY AND ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION STORED ON THE WEBSITE; (e) ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM OUR SERVERS; (f) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, OR THE LIKE THAT MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE BY ANY THIRD PARTY; (g) ANY LOSS OF YOUR DATA OR USER CONTENT FROM THE WEBSITE; (h) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ANY OF YOUR DATA OR USER CONTENT, OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF ANY CONTENT POSTED, TRANSMITTED, OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE WEBSITE, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT TTCONNECT IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; AND/OR (i) THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THESE TERMS OR ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION WE MAKE OR NOTICE WE PROVIDE. Some countries and jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of consequential, direct, indirect, or other damages in contracts with consumers and to the extent you are a consumer the limitations or exclusions in this section may not apply to you.

Cap on Damages. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR TO YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE OR INFORMATION WE SUPPLY YOU (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTY CLAIMS), REGARDLESS OF THE FORUM AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY ACTION OR CLAIM IS BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), OR ANY OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY, WILL NOT EXCEED 100 EURO, OR THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY YOU TO TTCONNECT FOR THE TTCONNECT SERVICE(S) GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM UNDER THESE TERMS DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE FIRST EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. THE EXISTENCE OF MORE THAN ONE CLAIM SHALL NOT ENLARGE THIS LIMIT. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THE FOREGOING, THIS SECTION SHALL (I) APPLY ONLY TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY PRODUCT LIABILITY LAW; AND (II) SHALL NOT APPLY IN THE EVENT THAT PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH HAVE BEEN CAUSED INTENTIONALLY BY TTCONNECT OR BY TTCONNECT'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE.

Independent Allocations of Risk. Each provision of these Terms that provides for a limitation of liability, disclaimer of warranties, or exclusion of damages represents an agreed allocation of the risks of these Terms between the parties. This allocation is an essential element of the basis of the bargain between the parties. Each of these provisions is severable and independent of all other provisions of these Terms, and each of these provisions will apply even if the warranties in these Terms have failed of their essential purpose.

Jurisdictional Limitations. Because some countries, states or jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability or caps on damages in certain instances, portions of the above limitation may not apply to you. In that event, such exclusions and limitations shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by applicable mandatory law (and our liability shall be limited or excluded as permitted under mandatory applicable law).

Links

The TTConnect Website may contain links to websites operated by other parties. The linked websites are not under the control of TTConnect, and TTConnect is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of the other websites. Unless otherwise specified, hyperlinking does not imply any relationship, sponsorship, endorsement or affiliation with such website or organization by TTConnect. Links are provided to other websites as a convenience to users. Accessing any other website linked to this Website is done at your own risk.

Trade Restrictions

You agree that you will not use our Website to negotiate and/or sign any contracts and/or agreements that circumvent or aim to circumvent any trade restrictions, export controls, or sanctions laws and regulations of the country where you are located. You are solely responsible for complying with such applicable trade restrictions, export controls, or sanctions laws and regulations. If we determine in our sole discretion that you are actually or likely to be in violation of any representation or warranty set out in this Section, we have the right to terminate your use of and/or access to the Website immediately with or without notice to you.

Termination

You may terminate your use of the Website at any time by ceasing further use of the Website. TTConnect may terminate your use of the Website, including denying you access to the Website, at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, including for violation of these Terms.

Force Majeure

Except for any payment obligations, neither you nor we will be liable for failure to perform any obligation under these Terms to the extent such failure is caused by a force majeure event (including natural disasters, war, civil disturbance, action by governmental entity, strike, and other causes beyond the party's reasonable control). The party affected by the force majeure event will provide notice to the other party within a commercially reasonable time and will use commercially reasonable efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable. Obligations not performed due to a force majeure event will be performed as soon as reasonably possible when the force majeure event concludes.

Initial Dispute Resolution

Most disputes can be resolved without resort to arbitration. If you have any dispute with us, you agree that before taking any formal action you will contact us at admin@ttconnect.org and provide a brief, written description of the dispute and your contact information (including your username, if your dispute relates to a TTConnect account). Except for intellectual property, you and we agree to use reasonable efforts to settle any dispute, claim, question, or disagreement directly through consultation with us, and good faith negotiations shall be a condition to either party initiating a lawsuit or arbitration.

Severability Clause

If a jurisdiction does not allow any term or condition described here, all other terms and conditions described here shall remain in full force and effect.

Personal Data & Data Privacy Terms

TTConnect is committed to protecting your personal data. The TTConnect Website adheres to all the requirements of the EU GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data).

Name and address of the Data Controller

The Data Controller within the context of the General Data Protection Regulation and other national data protection laws of the member states as well as other data protection regulations is:

TTConnect GmbH
Brentanoweg 3
69126 Heidelberg
Germany
Tel.: +49 173 311 3536
E-Mail: info@ttconnect.org
Website: www.ttconnect.org

Name and address of the Data Protection Officer

The data protection officer is:

Aurelio Teleman
TTConnect GmbH
Brentanoweg 3
69126 Heidelberg
Germany
Tel.: +49 173 311 3536
E-Mail: info@ttconnect.org
Website: www.ttconnect.org

General information on data processing

Scope of processing of personal data
We only process our users' personal data insofar as this is necessary for us to provide a functional website, and to fulfill the purposes of this website, which is to enable the two Contracting Parties to negotiate and sign documents, contracts and agreements. The collection and use of our users' personal data only takes place with the user's consent. An exception applies in those cases in which it is not possible to obtain prior consent and the processing of the data is permitted by law.
Transfer to 3rd parties
Besides as outlined below in the section "3rd Party Services", TTConnect will not disclose any Personal Data to any Third Party outside of the two Contracting Parties. In particular, TTConnect will not sell any Personal Data for purposes of advertising, or otherwise process Personal Data for any purpose other than for the specific purposes set forth herein, unless obligated to do otherwise under applicable law.
Transfer of data outside the EU
In cases where one of the Contracting Parties is outside the EU, Personal Data will therefore be transferred outside the EU in order to allow the two Contracting Parties to negotiate and sign agreements.
Legal basis for the processing of personal data
Insofar as we obtain the consent of the data subject for the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the legal basis.

When processing personal data that is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations that are necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures.

Insofar as the processing of personal data is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which our company is subject, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR serves as the legal basis.

In the event that vital interests of the data subject or another natural person require the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. d GDPR serves as the legal basis.

If the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party and if the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not outweigh the first-mentioned interest, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR serves as the legal basis for the processing.
Data storage duration and deletion
The personal data of the data subject will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose of storage no longer applies. Data may also be stored if this has been provided for by the European or national legislator in EU regulations, laws or other provisions to which the controller is subject. The data will also be blocked or erased if a storage period prescribed by the aforementioned standards expires, unless there is a need for further storage of the data for the conclusion or fulfillment of a contract. Importantly, TTConnect may store fully executed User Agreements, with all the personal data stored therein, for the duration of the validity of the respective User Agreement.
Access & Disclosure
Except as described in these Terms: (i) we may access, preserve, or share any of your Personal Data when we believe in good faith that such sharing is reasonably necessary to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding possible illegal activities or to comply with legal process (e.g. a subpoena or other legal process); and (ii) we may also share your information in situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, violations of the TTConnect Usage Terms, or to respond to the claims of violation of the rights of Third Parties and/or to protect the rights, property and safety of TTConnect, our employees, users, or the public. This may involve the sharing of your information with law enforcement, government agencies, courts, and/or other organizations. In such cases, TTConnect will inform you at the time of sharing.

Provision of the website and creation of log files

Description and scope of data processing
Each time our website is accessed, our system automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the accessing computer. The following data are collected:
1. Information about the browser type and version used
2. The user's operating system
3. The user's internet service provider
4. The IP address of the user
5. Date and time of access
These data are stored in the log files of our system. These data are not stored together with other personal data of the user.
Legal basis for the data processing
The legal basis for the temporary storage of data and log files is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.
Purpose of the data processing
Temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable delivery of the website to the user's computer. For this purpose, the user's IP address must remain stored for the duration of the session.

The data stored in log files ensure the functionality of the website. In addition, we use the data for technical optimization of the website and to ensure the security of our information technology systems. The data are not analyzed for marketing purposes.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.
Data storage duration
The data are deleted as soon as they are no longer required to achieve the purpose for which they were collected. In the case of the collection of data for the provision of the website, this is the case when the respective session has ended. The data stored in log files are deleted after 365 days.
Possibility of objection and data removal
The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of data in log files is necessary for the operation of the website. Consequently, the user has no option to object. If the user is not in agreement with this data processing, the user should immediately cease to use the website.

3rd Party Services

We use the following 3rd Party services to provide website functionality and to help us evaluate our visitors' experiences so that we can make improvements to our website:

Webhosting by Stratoserver AG
1. Purpose of the data processing
  Our website is hosted on a Stratoserver AG server in order to make it available to the public.
2. Description and scope of data processing
  All personal data of the TTConnect website are stored encrypted on the servers of Stratoserver AG in Germany. We use encryption technologies (Transport Level Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)) to transfer data to/from the TTConnect Website to the user’s computer.
3. Legal basis for the data processing
  Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR
4. Data storage duration
  The data are deleted as soon as they are no longer required to achieve the purpose for which they were collected. Personal data of Registered Users are stored as long as the user account is existing. They are deleted when a user cancels their TTConnect account, with the exception of Personal Data present in Documents, Contracts or Agreements that the Registered User negotiated and/or signed with other Contracting Parties. These are stored until the two Contracting Parties delete them.
5. Possibility of objection and data removal
  Since our website is hosted on a Stratoserver AG server, it is not possible for the user to use our website without using the Stratoserver server.
Google Analytics
1. Purpose of the data processing
  We use Google Analytics to help us evaluate our visitors' experiences so that we can make improvements to our website.
2. Description and scope of data processing
  Google Analytics tracks by default your age bracket, app store version, pageviews, device type, operating system, browser type, gender, IP address and approximate geolocation. These data are stored in aggregated form. We do not track individual users. We have NOT enabled the "Ads Personalization" function, NOR the "Google signals data collection" so we do not have access to the "Age, Gender, and Interests dimensions". We have set the "data retention" to the minimal possible amount of 2 months.
  
  When you use our website, these information are sent to Google in the USA and saved there. This takes place regardless of whether you have a Google account, and whether you are logged in or not. If you are logged in to Google, your data will be assigned directly to your account. Google stores your data even for users who are not logged in as usage profiles and analyzes them.
3. Legal basis for the data processing
  Such an evaluation by Google is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit.f GDPR on the basis of Google's legitimate interests in the display of personalized advertising, market research and/or demand-oriented design of its website. The legal basis for the processing of personal data by TTConnect is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR if the user has given consent to this.
4. Data storage duration
  We have set the "data retention" to the minimal possible amount of 2 months.
5. Possibility of objection and data removal
  If you do not wish your data to be associated with your Google profile, you must log out of Google before using TTConnect. You have the right to object to the creation of these user profiles by Google, whereby you must contact Google to exercise this right. Google LLC, based in the USA, is certified for the US-European data protection agreement "Privacy Shield", which guarantees compliance with the level of data protection applicable in the EU.
  
  If you do not wish your information to be shared with Google Analytics, do not click away the TTConnect "cookies banner".
Google reCAPTCHA with embedded Google Fonts
1. Purpose of the data processing
  We use reCAPTCHA on the TTConnect forms that are accessible without needing to log in, to stop bots and other automated attacks while approving valid users.
2. Description and scope of data processing
  reCAPTCHA takes a snapshot of what you’re doing on a webpage, compares that information to what it knows about bot activity, and uses an algorithm to decide whether you’re a real person or not. To do this, Google collects your IP address, the resources you've loaded, including styles or images, your Google account information, your behavior, such as scrolling on a page, moving the mouse, clicking on links, time spent completing forms, and typing patterns, your browser history, your CSS information, your browser plugins, your cookies, information about your operating system, your screen resolution, your javascript objects and your date and language settings. These data are sent to Google in the USA.
  
  TTConnect does not have access to any of these data.
3. Legal basis for the data processing
  TTConnect needs to use reCAPTCHA to prevent automated attacks and to thereby keep the website functional, hence the legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.
4. Data storage duration
  Since reCAPTCHA sends data to Google, we do not know where the data are stored, nor for how long.
5. Possibility of objection and data removal
  If you do not agree, you must cease immediately to use the TTConnect website. Google LLC, based in the USA, is certified for the US-European data protection agreement "Privacy Shield", which guarantees compliance with the level of data protection applicable in the EU.
Digital signature services such as FPSign or DocuSign
1. Purpose of the data processing
  The TTConnect website aims to facilitate the negotiation and signature of agreements and/or contracts between two Contracting Parties. Once the two parties have agreed on a final version of the contract, one of the two Contracting Parties can instruct the TTConnect website to transfer the document to a 3rd party service for digital signing, such as FPSign or DocuSign.
2. Description and scope of data processing
  Any personal data contained within the contract or agreement that is sent to FPSign or DocuSign for signing will be transferred from TTConnect to FPSign or DocuSign.
3. Legal basis for the data processing
  The transfer of the contract to sign to FPSign or DocuSign is being executed by TTConnect on request of the one Contracting Party. Since this is a core function and purpose of the TTConnect service, the legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.
4. Data storage duration
  The duration of the data storage at FPSign or DocuSign depends on the FPSign or DocuSign settings of the Contracting Party that is requesting the transfer.
5. Possibility of objection and data removal
  The data are only transferred from TTConnect to FPSign or DocuSign upon request by one of the two Contracting Parties. If you do not agree, you need to inform the other Contracting Party that you do not agree with this method for signing the contract.
  
  the data are not stored at FPSign or DocuSign in an account of TTConnect, but instead in an account of one of the two Contracting Parties, Therefore, to request data removal, you need to ask the Contracting Parties to delete the data.

Cookies

Description and scope of data processing
Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in the Internet browser or by the Internet browser on the user's computer system. When a user accesses a website, a cookie may be stored on the user's computer. This cookie contains a characteristic string of characters that enables the browser to be uniquely identified when the website is accessed again.

We use cookies to ensure that our website functions properly. Some elements of our website require that the accessing browser can be identified even after a page change. We also use cookies on our website to analyze the user's surfing behavior.

We use the following cookies and/or local storage items:

Cookie Name	Source	Purpose
grails_remember_me	TTConnect	This cookie is saved when users select the "Remember me" option upon logging in, enabling the user to stay logged in.
JSESSIONID	TTConnect	This cookie is saved when users log in or fill out a form on the TTConnect Website, to keep track of their session.
_ga, _ga_1XE1W87MKP, _gat, _gid, _utma, _utmc, _utmz	Google	These cookies allow Google Analytics to help us evaluate our visitors' experiences so that we can make improvements to our website.
_GRECAPTCHA	Google reCAPTCHA	This cookie allow Google reCAPTCHA to function, so that we can prevent automated attacks.
dateTTConnectCookieBannerAccepted	TTConnect	This locally stored item allows the website to recognize that you accepted the use of cookies on TTConnect.

When accessing our website, the user is informed about the use of cookies for analysis purposes and the user’s consent to process their personal data in this context is obtained. In this context, reference is also made to this privacy policy.

Legal basis for the data processing
The legal basis for the processing of personal data using cookies for analysis purposes is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR if the user has given consent to this. Otherwise, the legal basis for the processing of personal data using technically necessary cookies is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.
Purpose of the data processing
The purpose of the ‘technically-required’ cookies is to enable the functioning of our website. Some functions of our website cannot be offered without the use of these cookies. We require cookies for the following reasons:

For the user to stay logged in
For the ‘remember me’ login function

Data storage duration
Cookies are stored on the user's computer and transmitted by it to our website. As a user, you therefore have full control over the use of cookies. You can deactivate or restrict the storage of cookies by changing the settings in your Internet browser. Cookies that have already been saved can be deleted at any time. This can also be done automatically. If cookies are deactivated for our website, it may no longer be possible to use all functions of the website to their full extent.

Registration

Description and scope of data processing
On our website, we offer users the opportunity to register by providing personal data. The data are entered into an input form and transmitted to us and stored. The following user data are collected as part of the registration process:
- Name
- Institutional affiliation
- Email address
- Mailing Address
- Telephone number
- Date and time of registration
As part of the registration process, the user's consent to the processing of these data is obtained.
Legal basis for the data processing
The legal basis for the processing of the data is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR if the user has given consent.
Purpose of the data processing
User registration is required to prevent access of others to a user’s confidential information such as contracts and personal data.
Data storage duration
We use encryption technologies (Transport Level Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)) to transfer data to/from the TTConnect Website. All TTConnect data are stored entirely on servers located in Germany, and personal data are encrypted.

Personal data of Registered Users are stored as long as the user account is existing. They are deleted when a user cancels their TTConnect account, with the exception of personal data present in Documents, Contracts or Agreements that the Registered User negotiated and/or signed with other Contracting Parties.
Possibility of objection and data removal
As a user, you have the option of canceling your registration at any time, and you can change the data stored about you at any time. This can be done by clicking on your user profile and then selecting the appropriate actions.

Transfer Agreements

Description and scope of data processing
The purpose of this website is to enable parties to negotiate and to sign "Transfer Agreements" with each other. This occurs as a series of organized and streamlined steps which are completed by Registered Users of the two negotiating parties. The Registered Users from the two negotiating parties can also write messages to each other.

During this process, the following data are collected and made visible to Registered Users from the two parties negotiating or signing a specific agreement:
- Transfer Agreement document: The Transfer Agreement document contains the name, email address and institutional address of the Provider Scientist who provides the material or data, and the Recipient Scientist who receives the material or data. Furthermore, it contains any additional personal data that members of the two negotiating parties write into the Transfer Agreement.
- Agreement Signature: Signature of the Transfer Agreement can occur in different ways, including digital signature through FP Sign or via the TTConnect platform directly. In those cases, the digital signature stored with the Transfer Agreement may contain the name and email address of the person signing, as well as the IP address from which the electronic signature was made, and the time of signature.
- Messages: When users write a message on the TTConnect platform, their name, email address, and the time at which the message was written will be stored and displayed to the other users negotiating the specific agreement.
- Log: For each Transfer Agreement, a log tracks actions related to the Transfer Agreement such as who initiates and completes specific tasks. Associated with these log entries are the names of the people who accomplish the task, what task was completed, and the date/time at which it was completed.
By using this website, the User agrees to the collection and storage of these data, and that these data will be displayed to other users who are contributing to, or signing the Transfer Agreement.
Legal basis for the data processing
The legal basis for the processing of the data is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a and b GDPR.
Purpose of the data processing
The purpose of this processing is to provide the core functionality of the TTConnect website.
Data storage duration
For Transfer Agreements that are fully executed, these data are stored for the duration of the validity of the Transfer Agreement. The Technology Transfer offices of the two parties to the Transfer Agreement can request deletion, which occurs immediately. For Transfer Agreements that are not fully executed, these data are stored until one of the two parties to the Transfer Agreement requests deletion. In this case, the data are deleted within 28 days, or as soon as all Registered Users involved in the Transfer Agreement agree, which ever happens first.
Possibility of objection and data removal
For Transfer Agreements that are fully executed, the Technology Transfer offices of the two parties to the Transfer Agreement can request deletion, which occurs immediately. For Transfer Agreements that are not fully executed, users of the two parties to the Transfer Agreement can request deletion. In this case, the data are deleted within 28 days, or as soon as all Registered Users involved in the Transfer Agreement agree, which ever happens first.

Personal Data Report

A report of all your Personal Data stored on the TTConnect server can be obtained by filling the form on this page. The report will be sent automatically by email to the email address provided in the form.

Deletion of personal data

The deletion of one's Personal Data can be requested at any time.

If a Registered User has not processed any Contracts and/or Agreements with other Contracting Parties, all personal data will be deleted as soon as reasonably practicable.

Personal data present in Contracts and/or Agreements that are negotiated and/or signed with other Contracting Parties will be kept in those Contract and/or Agreement files until the other Contracting Party wishes to delete them.

Data Breach

TTConnect will notify users without undue delay upon becoming aware of any Data Breach relating to user's personal data and resulting from TTConnect's Processing of Personal Data on behalf of users.

Rights of the data subject

If your personal data are processed, you are a data subject within the context of the GDPR and you have the following rights vis-à-vis the controller:

Right of Access
You may request confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data relating to you are being processed by us. If such processing is taking place, you may request the controller to provide you with the following information:
1. the purposes for which the personal data are processed;
2. the categories of personal data which are processed;
3. the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data are disclosed.
4. the envisaged duration of the storage of the personal data concerning you or, if specific information on this is not possible, criteria for determining the storage period;
5. the existence of a right to rectify or erase the personal data concerning you, a right to restriction of processing by the controller or a right to object to such processing;
6. the existence of a right of appeal to a supervisory authority;
7. any available information on the origin of the data if the personal data are not collected from the data subject;
8. the existence of automated decision-making including profiling pursuant to Art. 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and, at least in these cases, meaningful information about the logic involved and the scope and intended effects of such processing for the data subject. You have the right to request information on whether personal data concerning you are transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. In this context, you may request to be informed about the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Article 46 of the GDPR in connection with the transfer.
You have the right to request information as to whether the personal data concerning you is transferred to a third country or to an international organization. In this context, you may request to be informed of the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Art. 46 GDPR in connection with the transfer.
Right to rectification
You have a right to rectification and/or completion vis-à-vis the controller if the processed personal data concerning you are incorrect or incomplete. The controller must make the correction without delay. Personal data for Registered Users can be corrected on the TTConnect Website by going to the User Dashboard.
Right to restriction of processing
You may request the restriction of the processing of personal data concerning you under the following conditions:
1. if you contest the accuracy of the personal data concerning you for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data;
2. the processing is unlawful and you object to the erasure of the personal data and request instead the restriction of the use of the personal data;
3. the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but you need them for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims; or
4. if you object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) DSGVO and it has not yet been determined whether the legitimate grounds of the controller outweigh your grounds. Where the processing of personal data relating to you has been restricted, such data may be processed, except for storage, only with your consent or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of substantial public interest of the Union or of a Member State. If the restriction of processing has been restricted in accordance with the above conditions, you will be informed by the controller before the restriction is lifted.
If the processing of personal data concerning you has been restricted, these data - apart from their storage - may only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the Union or of a Member State. If the restriction of processing has been restricted in accordance with the above conditions, you will be informed by the controller before the restriction is lifted.
Right to erasure
a) Obligation to erase
You may request the controller to erase the personal data concerning you without undue delay and the controller is obliged to erase this data without undue delay if one of the following reasons applies:
1. The personal data concerning you are no longer necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
2. You withdraw your consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Art. 6 (1) a or Art. 9 (2) a DGVO and there is no other legal basis for the processing.
3. You object to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or you object to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) of the GDPR.
4. The personal data concerning you have been processed unlawfully.
5. The erasure of the personal data concerning you is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
6. The personal data concerning you has been collected in relation to information society services offered in accordance with Article 8(1) DSGVO.
b) Information to third parties
If the controller has made the personal data concerning you public and is obliged to erase it pursuant to Article 17(1) of the GDPR, the controller shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, having regard to the available technology and the cost of implementation, to inform data controllers who process the personal data that you, as the data subject, have requested them to erase all links to, or copies or replications of, that personal data.

c) Exceptions The right to erasure does not exist insofar as the processing is necessary
1. for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information;
2. for compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
3. for reasons of public interest in the field of public health pursuant to Art. 9(2)(h) and (i) and Art. 9(3) of the GDPR;
4. for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Art. 89(1) of the GDPR, where the right referred to in section (a) is likely to make impossible or seriously prejudice the achievement of the purposes of such processing; or
5. for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
Right to information
If you have asserted the right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing against the controller, the controller is obliged to communicate this rectification or erasure of the data or restriction of processing to all recipients to whom the personal data concerning you have been disclosed, unless this proves impossible or involves a disproportionate effort. You have the right to be informed of these recipients by the controller.
Right to object
You have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) DSGVO; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. The controller shall no longer process the personal data concerning you unless it can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims. If the personal data concerning you is processed for the purposes of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purposes of such marketing; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If you object to the processing for direct marketing purposes, the personal data concerning you will no longer be processed for these purposes. You have the possibility, in connection with the use of information society services, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to exercise your right to object by means of automated procedures using technical specifications.
Right to revoke the declaration of consent under data protection law
You have the right to revoke your declaration of consent under data protection law at any time. The revocation of the consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out on the basis of the consent until the revocation.
Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the GDPR. The supervisory authority to which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant of the status and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy under Article 78 GDPR.

Contact Information

Data privacy questions or data privacy concerns can be addressed to adminXttconnect.org

Applicable Law

Any disputes relating to these Terms & Conditions will be resolved in a competent court in Germany and German law will govern these Terms and any claim.

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