WHF owns, operates and makes available the website www.worldhinducongress.org as well as subdomain event websites (individually “Website” and collectively “Websites”) and makes them available to the users of its Websites (individually “Visitor” and collectively “Visitors”) under the following Terms of Use. These terms and conditions between WHF and you also apply when you register for any event or conference organized by WHF.

The Websites may contain features including event registration, blog, reports and newsletter services, and other applications that may be available from time to time. Any person that accesses or uses the Websites agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of these Terms of Use. These Terms of Use contain conditions, disclaimers and other provisions, some of which limit the Forum’s liability. Any person that does not agree or comply with these Terms of Use should not access or use the Websites.

Appropriate Use

Any use of the Websites by Visitors that would limit or constrict the availability or quality of the Websites’ features is prohibited and the WHF reserves the sole right to take any actions required to enforce this principle.

Visitors shall not use the Websites to post, submit or otherwise distribute unlawful, defamatory, abusive, obscene or offensive materials. Furthermore, Visitors shall not use the Websites in any way that may violate third party rights including, but not limited to copyrights or privacy. Neither shall Visitors access or attempt to access the Websites using interfaces aside from the ones provided by the Websites.

Visitors may provide personal information as part of the registration to events hosted by the WHF and to access and use some of the features on the Websites. Information provided for registration must be accurate, correct and up-to-date. The WHF reserves the sole right to verify and deny access where data is incomplete, incorrect, inappropriate and/or missing.

Disclaimer

The Websites are provided “as is” and “as available” with no express or implied warranties of any kind including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability, non-infringement, and title. The WHF disclaims any and all liability for the acts, omissions and conduct of any third parties in connection with or related to visitors` use of the site. Visitors assume total responsibility for their use of the site and any linked sites. if this disclaimer is not enforceable under applicable law, it may be modified at the WHF’s sole discretion to a form that is enforceable.

The WHF does not take responsibility for the correctness, completeness, up-to-datedness or quality of the information provided on the Websites. The WHF expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partially in reliance upon the contents of the Websites.

Furthermore, the WHF is not liable for any damage or corruption caused by viruses (or similar mechanisms such as worms, lock outs, metering, or self-destruct mechanisms) on computers or other terminal equipment in connection with visiting, using and/or downloading data of any kind from the Websites. The Visitors are personally responsible for protecting their equipment appropriately from viruses and other risks on the Internet.

The WHF reserves the right, at its sole discretion, but disclaims the obligation, to monitor and/or remove content from any blog.

Website Content

The WHF publishes its own content as well as links, content and resources provided by third parties and content that has been specifically commissioned by the Forum for publication on the Websites.

All proprietary rights relating to any third party links, content or resources published on the Websites remain with the original source or the author(s) of that material and where any content has been commissioned by the WHF for publication on the Websites, any proprietary rights in such content remain with the relevant author, unless otherwise agreed or specified.

For all other content published on the Websites, the WHF reserves all proprietary rights including, but not limited to, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights in and to all content on the Websites; this includes all reports, brochures, text, graphics, photographs, logos and/or other items that appear on the Websites. The WHF also reserves its rights over the Websites’ template, including its layout and structure.

The WHF’s name and logo are registered trademarks of the Foundation. Visitors are not authorized to use the Fondation’s name, logo or likeness without prior consent.

The content, links and resources on the Websites is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which Visitors should rely. Visitors must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on the WHF’s site. Although the Foundation makes reasonable efforts to update the information on the Websites, the Foundation makes no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on the Websites is accurate, complete or up to date.

Publications

The content of any articles published on the Websites (“Articles”) represents the opinion of the author(s) of the respective Article(s). Where the Websites contain Articles, resources or links provided by third parties, these should not be interpreted as the Forum’s endorsement of any views expressed or the content contained within such Articles, resources or links.

Visitors may copy, distribute and transmit content published on the Websites, in any medium or format provided the work is properly attributed to the author and the World Hindu Foundation, under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Unported License (“CCPL”)

That means (excerpt from https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/):

Attribution: Visitor must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse Visitor or their use of the work).

Noncommercial: Visitor may not use this work for commercial purposes.

No Derivatives: Visitor may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.

This CCPL shall not apply to the Forum name and logo, third-party materials, trademarks, names and logos, Website interface elements, graphic files and source code, photographs and videos. The Forum reserves all rights which have not been expressly granted.

Links to other websites

Links on the Websites may connect Visitors to external or third-party websites that are not related to the Foundation or under its control. The Foundation is not responsible for the content of external or third party websites that may be accessible or displayed through external links on the Websites. The presence of these external links does not represent the Foundation’s endorsement of the views or content of these third party websites. Navigating to external websites through links on the Websites is done at the sole risk of the Visitor, and the Foundation expressly disclaims any liability for any content that appears on any external site.

Links to this Website

The Visitor may link to the Websites provided the Visitor does so in a way that indicates that the link is to the Foundation Websites and is fair and not misleading. Visitors may not integrate or make use of all or part of the Websites in ways that would confuse or mislead other Visitors as to the nature and origin of the Websites’ content.

Event related Terms & Conditions

The following WHF Registration Terms & Conditions (the “Terms & Conditions”) apply to all WHF events. These Terms & Conditions apply to all event delegates/participants (attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors).

The views expressed by any event attendee, speaker, exhibitor, or sponsor are not necessarily those of WHF.  All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors are solely responsible for the content of all individual or corporation presentations, marketing collateral, and/or advertising.

Registration Conditions

Prior to your registration, you must acknowledge and accept the Terms & Conditions contained herein. Should you not wish to accept the Terms & Conditions you should not register. Submission of a registration is regarded as affirmation of your acceptance of the Event Terms & Conditions.

WHF reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to limit or deny access to any entity or individual for any of its events or conferences without providing any reason whatsoever. To be eligible to participate, you must be 18 years old or older.

How we will use your information

WHF is committed to data privacy and protecting your personal information. Information on how WHF collects, processes, and uses your data is included in the WHF Privacy Policy  which is hereby incorporated into these Terms & Conditions.  Additionally, by submitting your email address during the event registration process, you agree that WHF and its event partners may send you event-related information and other WHF-related updates.  A valid email address is required for all registrations.

WHF uses the personal data you provide in this registration for administering your participation in this event.  This may include information about the event’s content, event logistics, payment, updates, and additional information related to the event.

WHF may disclose your personal data to third party service providers engaged by WHF to assist in the conduct of the event (e.g. mobile application provider).  Information you provide when registering for or participating in an event managed or co-sponsored by parties other than or in addition to WHF may be shared with those parties, and the treatment of such information is further subject to the privacy policies of those parties.  Except as described herein, WHF will not disclose your personal data to any other third party without your consent except where required to do so by law.

Event conduct and safety

WHF is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment to all participants, including staff and vendors, at WHF events. WHF has no tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or bullying in any form at WHF events. Participants are expected to adhere to these principles and respect the rights of others.

What To Do If You Witness or are Subjected to Unacceptable Behavior:

Participants should report any behavior inconsistent with these principles to onsite event staff. Event staff will be happy to help participants contact venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.

Badge Policy

Sharing of Attendee passes is not permitted at any time. Badges are issued to, can be picked up by, and used by only the Attendee named in the registration. Photo ID will be required for each Attendee when collecting a badge onsite. Badges must be worn at all times during the Conference.

A WHF Conference badge allows an attendee entry to the overall Conference, but cannot guarantee admission to every session, lounge, or meeting area. Admission is subject to venue capacity and other requirements.

Payment Terms

Submission of a registration online, by phone, email or fax, constitutes an official registration and intent to attend the Conference. Invoices are payable upon receipt.  Full payment must be received prior to the Conference in order to gain entry.

Currency Exchange Rate Disclaimer: Client/Cardholder confirms acknowledgment and acceptance of a potential gain/loss incurred by any adjustments made by their bank due to the currency exchange rate. WHF will not be liable or responsible for any loss incurred by the Client/Cardholder from an adjustment made due to the currency exchange rate. Nor will WHF pursue the Client/Cardholder for collection if that adjustment should be made in the Client’s/Cardholder’s favor.

Attendee Cancellation/Refund Policy

Liability waiver & release

On consideration of being allowed to register for, and participate in the event, I hereby warrant and represent that I am age 18 or above and freely waive, release from liability, assume all risks, and covenant not to sue WHF or its members, employees, board members, agents, or volunteers for any expense, loss, damage, personal injury, including loss of life, disability, property damage, or property theft or actions of any kind that I may hereafter suffer or sustain before, during, or after the event, unless said expense, loss, damage, personal injury, including loss of life, disability, property damage or property theft or actions of any  kind is caused by the sole, gross negligence of WHF.  This Liability Waiver and Release is specifically binding upon my heirs and assigns and is knowingly given.

Service as an invited speaker

If you agree to speak at a WHF event, we may share your contact and biographical information with event attendees. Sometimes we may also request a photograph. In other cases, we may post on the respective event website information such as your name, employer, physical work address, work email address, as well as a link to your company website and/or professional LinkedIn page available to the public. This is so that visitors to the event website, including event attendees and speakers, can contact you with questions and requests for more information, and to provide feedback if needed. Additionally, speakers may be asked to complete a release agreement or copyright form prior to their presentation.

Credentials/Information shared during the event

WHF event sponsors, exhibitors, and other third parties may directly request your personal information at their exhibit booths, presentations or networking sessions.  Providing your information to them is optional, and you should review their privacy policies to address your particular needs and concerns about how they will treat your personal information.

If during the event you attend a session or program hosted by an exhibitor other than WHF, you understand and agree that when you provide personal data, that information will go to a non-WHF entity and WHF takes no responsibility for how that company uses your personal information.

Usage of photographic and video material taken at WHF events

To comply with global data privacy laws, WHF imposes certain restrictions on the use of multimedia at its events (e.g. photography, video, audio, online streaming, and all future mediums).  An attendee is permitted to use hand-held cameras and/or smart phones to take photographs and capture digital images for personal, non-commercial use, provided the photography is not disruptive. Photographs may not be published, sold, reproduced, transmitted, distributed or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever.

WHF may hire professional service providers (photo/video/streaming/audio) to document and display the event experience.  WHF may also use social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook) to: (i) post real-time photos and videos to its social media feeds; and (ii) display select submissions from those feeds on monitors throughout the event venue.  Attendees and sponsors are encouraged to capture their event experiences and post their own social content from the event (text, photos, audio, video, streaming), provided it does not infringe upon the rights of any attendee, sponsor, third party, or WHF.  Such infringement would include, but is not limited to, defamation or infringement of intellectual property rights.  In the event an attendee requires a release or permission to protect the rights of a third party, obtaining such a release or permission shall be the sole responsibility of the attendee.

By attending the event, you acknowledge and agree as follows: (a) WHF may edit and use footage it captures at the event for marketing and promotional activities and for any other lawful purpose in the ordinary course of its business; and (b) due to the prevalence of mobile recording devices in today’s world, WHF disclaims all liability for the capture of your image in any multimedia format by other attendees at the event.

General