Terms of service — ResearchArk

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using ResearchArk's website and services (the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of the terms, you may not access the Service. These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Service.

2. Description of Service

ResearchArk provides a comprehensive AI-native research excellence ecosystem consisting of four interconnected components. Our services include:

ArkSearch: Intelligent funding discovery with semantic search powered by vector database technology, AI-enhanced query processing, personalized recommendations, and comparative analysis of funding opportunities
ArkAssist: AI-powered research proposal writing assistant with intelligent templates, real-time writing assistance, budget optimization tools, and compliance automation
ArkSphere: Network intelligence platform for research collaboration, consortium building, AI-native partner recommendations, and cross-border collaboration support
ArkID: Identity and trust infrastructure providing authentication and standardized identifiers for research entities. ArkID issues the following identifier types used within the ecosystem:
- ARKI: Unique identifiers for research ideas and concepts
- ARKU: Persistent digital IDs for researchers and contributors
- ARKP: Standardized identifiers for research projects and programs
- ARKO: Global IDs for organizations and institutions
- ARKD: Identifiers for research outputs and products
- ARKF: Unique IDs for funding opportunities and grants
Document upload and processing capabilities for contextual search enhancement and AI analysis
Collaboration tools, project management features, and research networking capabilities
Advanced analytics, trending topics, research intelligence, and network visualization

We reserve the right to modify or discontinue the Service (or any part thereof) with or without notice at any time.

3. User Accounts

3.1. You must create an account to use certain features of our Service. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and password, and for all activities that occur under your account.

3.2. You agree to provide accurate and complete information when creating your account and to update this information to keep it current. You are solely responsible for the activity that occurs on your account, and you must keep your account password secure.

3.3. You must notify ResearchArk immediately of any breach of security or unauthorized use of your account.

4. User Conduct

You agree not to:

Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.
Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity.
Upload, post, email, transmit, or otherwise make available any content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically, or otherwise objectionable.
Upload or transmit any harmful code or material, including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, or other malicious software.
Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers or networks connected to the Service, or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies, or regulations of networks connected to the Service.
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service, other accounts, computer systems, or networks connected to the Service, through hacking, password mining, or any other means.
Collect or store personal data about other users without their express consent.
Use the Service for any commercial purpose without our prior written consent.

5. Intellectual Property

5.1. The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt) and its licensors. The Service is protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws of both Germany and foreign countries. Our trademarks and trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service without the prior written consent of Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt).

5.2. User-Generated Content: Users retain full intellectual property ownership of all content they submit to the platform ("User Content"). Your User Content is private by default and accessible only to you. You may share specific content with other users by inviting them directly. Only content you explicitly choose to share will be accessible to the invited recipients. By submitting User Content, you grant Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt) a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, process, and store your User Content solely for the purpose of operating, maintaining, and providing the Service to you as described in these Terms. We will not use your User Content for marketing, promotional, or redistributive purposes, nor share it outside the ResearchArk ecosystem. We will not use your User Content for purposes unrelated to delivering the services described herein without your explicit consent.

5.3. Standardized Identifiers: The ArkID system and all standardized identifiers (ARKI, ARKU, ARKP, ARKO, ARKD, ARKF) are proprietary to Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt). Users acknowledge that these identifiers are created to facilitate research collaboration and may be used across the ecosystem in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt) and its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, partners, and licensors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including without limitation, loss of profits, data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from (i) your access to or use of or inability to access or use the Service; (ii) any conduct or content of any third party on the Service; (iii) any content obtained from the Service; (iv) unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content; (v) any AI-generated content or recommendations provided through the Service; and (vi) any decisions made based on information provided through the Service, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), or any other legal theory, whether or not we have been informed of the possibility of such damage, and even if a remedy set forth herein is found to have failed of its essential purpose.

AI Services Disclaimer: AI-generated content and recommendations are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Users are responsible for independently verifying all AI-generated content and making their own informed decisions.

7. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. If you wish to terminate your account, you may simply discontinue using the Service. All provisions of the Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive termination, including, without limitation, ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.

8. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion. By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms. If you do not agree to the new terms, please stop using the Service.

9. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Germany, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Germany.

10. Disclaimer

The Service is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis. Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt) makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaims and negates all other warranties, including without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property or other violation of rights. Further, we do not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials on our Service or otherwise relating to such materials or on any sites linked to this site.

Funding Information Disclaimer: While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date funding opportunity information, we cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or availability of any funding opportunities listed on our platform. Users should always verify information directly with funding bodies before making applications.

AI Technology Disclaimer: Our AI services are designed to assist and enhance human decision-making, not replace it. All AI-generated content should be reviewed and validated by qualified professionals before use.

11. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt) and its licensees and licensors, and their employees, contractors, agents, officers, and directors, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees), resulting from or arising out of a) your use and access of the Service, by you or any person using your account and password; b) a breach of these Terms; c) content posted on the Service; d) your violation of any third-party rights; and e) any misuse of AI-generated content or recommendations provided through the Service.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at info@researchark.eu.

For information on how we handle your data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

13. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. Any invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by a valid and enforceable provision that comes closest to the intent of the original provision.

14. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance of our obligations under these Terms that is due to fire, flood, earthquake, pandemic, governmental action, war, terrorism, or other causes beyond our reasonable control.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published by us on the Service, constitute the entire agreement between you and Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt) concerning the Service and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

ResearchArk is a product of Mycel UG (haftungsbeschränkt), Kollwitzstraße 76, 10435 Berlin, Germany.
Company Website: https://mycel-ai.de