Terms of Service

Last Updated: January 2025

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to AstroLit Index. These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and AstroLit Index governing your access to and use of our website, services, and platform (collectively, the "Service"). By accessing, browsing, or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the Service after modifications are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Description of Service

AstroLit Index provides a comprehensive search platform and database for astronomical and astrophysical literature. Our Service includes:

  • Search and discovery tools for academic publications and research papers
  • Access to metadata, abstracts, and bibliographic information
  • Links to external sources where full-text papers may be available
  • User accounts with personalized features (where applicable)
  • API access for research and institutional use (subject to separate terms)

We aggregate information from publicly available sources, journal publishers, preprint servers, and institutional repositories. We do not host or distribute copyrighted full-text papers without authorization.

3. User Accounts and Registration

Certain features of the Service may require you to create an account. When registering, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information
  • Maintain and promptly update your account information
  • Maintain the security of your account credentials
  • Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
  • Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach

You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or engage in fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree not to:

  • Violate any applicable local, national, or international law or regulation
  • Infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others
  • Transmit any malicious code, viruses, or harmful components
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Service or related systems
  • Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the Service in a manner that exceeds reasonable use or interferes with normal operation
  • Reproduce, duplicate, or copy substantial portions of our database without authorization
  • Use the Service to compete with or harm our business interests
  • Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
  • Collect or store personal information about other users without consent
  • Engage in any activity that disrupts or interferes with the Service's functionality

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Our Content

The Service, including its original content, features, functionality, design, logos, and compilation of data, is owned by AstroLit Index and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, or commercially exploit any part of the Service without our express written permission.

5.2 Third-Party Content

The Service contains bibliographic information, abstracts, and metadata from third-party sources, including publishers, journals, and research institutions. This content remains the property of its respective owners. We provide links and references to original sources for full-text access, and you must comply with the terms and conditions of those third-party providers when accessing their content.

You are responsible for ensuring that your use of third-party content complies with applicable copyright laws and licensing agreements.

6. User-Generated Content

If the Service permits you to submit, post, or upload content (such as comments, annotations, or reviews), you retain ownership of your content but grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, and distribute such content in connection with the Service.

You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights to grant this license and that your content:

  • Does not infringe upon any third-party rights
  • Is not defamatory, libelous, obscene, or otherwise objectionable
  • Complies with all applicable laws and regulations

We reserve the right to remove or modify user-generated content that violates these Terms or our policies, without prior notice.

7. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

7.1 Service Disclaimer

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR ACCURACY. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free from viruses or other harmful components.

7.2 Content Accuracy

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of any content available through the Service. Bibliographic information, metadata, and links are provided for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in third-party content or links.

7.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ASTROLIT INDEX, ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR USE, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US (IF ANY) IN THE TWELVE MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AstroLit Index, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or relating to your use of the Service, violation of these Terms, infringement of any third-party rights, or violation of any applicable law or regulation.

9. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend, terminate, or restrict your access to the Service at any time, with or without cause or notice, for any reason, including violation of these Terms. Upon termination:

  • Your right to use the Service immediately ceases
  • We may delete or deactivate your account and related information
  • Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination will remain in effect

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us through our contact page.

10. API Usage

If you access our API, you agree to comply with any additional API-specific terms and usage limits. Commercial use of our API may require a separate agreement. You agree not to:

  • Exceed reasonable rate limits or attempt to circumvent usage restrictions
  • Use the API to create competing services or redistribute substantial portions of our database
  • Remove or obscure any attribution, copyright, or proprietary notices

11. Third-Party Services and Links

The Service contains links to third-party websites, services, and resources. We do not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party services. Your interactions with third parties are solely between you and the third party. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from such interactions.

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with applicable laws, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through:

  • Good faith negotiation between the parties
  • If negotiation fails, binding arbitration in accordance with recognized arbitration rules
  • Or, if arbitration is not available, through the courts of competent jurisdiction

13. Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time by posting the updated version on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Material changes will be notified through the Service or via email if you have an account. Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Service.

14. Miscellaneous

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and AstroLit Index regarding the Service. If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full effect. Our failure to enforce any right or provision shall not constitute a waiver. You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us through our contact page.