1. Acceptance of Terms
These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern access to and use of the ACS Pakistan Chapterwebsite and related digital properties operated by the chapter (collectively, the "Platform"). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and any additional policies referenced on this website, including the Privacy Policy.
If you do not agree with these Terms, do not use the Platform. If you are using the Platform on behalf of an institution, organization, or employer, you represent that you have authority to bind that entity to these Terms.
2. Eligibility and Permitted Access
The Platform is intended for professional, educational, and public information use. You agree to use the Platform only for lawful purposes and in a manner consistent with chapter standards, professional ethics, and applicable laws.
- You must provide accurate information when submitting inquiries or forms.
- You must not impersonate individuals or misrepresent affiliation.
- You are responsible for ensuring your use of Platform content complies with local legal and institutional requirements.
3. Changes to These Terms
We may revise these Terms from time to time to reflect legal, operational, security, or governance changes. Updated Terms become effective when posted to this page with the revised effective date. Continued use of the Platform after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
4. Nature and Purpose of Platform Content
Platform content is provided for chapter communication, professional information, education support, events, and general awareness. Content is provided on an informational basis and does not constitute:
- Medical advice, diagnosis, or individualized treatment guidance.
- Legal advice, regulatory certification, or licensure determination.
- A guarantee of program outcome, accreditation status, or institutional approval.
You remain responsible for independent professional judgment, institutional policy compliance, and advice from qualified legal and clinical professionals where needed.
5. Intellectual Property Rights
Unless otherwise stated, the Platform and its content, including text, design, graphics, logos, icons, documents, images, audio/visual material, and compilation of content, are owned by or licensed to ACS Pakistan Chapter and protected by applicable intellectual property laws.
- You may access and use Platform content for personal, educational, or internal professional reference purposes.
- You may not copy, republish, redistribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, or commercially exploit Platform content without prior written permission, except where allowed by law.
- Any authorized reuse must preserve attribution, integrity, and non-misleading context.
6. Trademarks and Chapter Identity
Names, logos, service marks, and brand assets associated with ACS Pakistan Chapter and the American College of Surgeons are protected marks. Unauthorized use that implies sponsorship, endorsement, affiliation, or certification is prohibited.
7. User Submissions and Communications
If you submit messages, forms, documents, feedback, or other content through the Platform, you represent that:
- You have the right to provide the information submitted.
- Your submission does not violate law, third-party rights, or confidentiality obligations.
- Your submission is not defamatory, abusive, fraudulent, malicious, or otherwise unlawful.
You grant us a limited, non-exclusive right to use submitted materials as reasonably necessary to review, respond, administer chapter operations, and maintain records.
8. Acceptable Use Rules
You agree not to:
- Use the Platform for unlawful, deceptive, or harmful activities.
- Attempt unauthorized access to systems, accounts, or data.
- Introduce malware, malicious code, or disruptive scripts.
- Interfere with service operation, performance, or security controls.
- Scrape, harvest, or systematically extract content without permission.
- Transmit spam, harassment, threats, hate speech, or abusive content.
- Misrepresent chapter affiliation, endorsement, or official status.
- Use automated means to overload infrastructure or bypass controls.
9. Service Availability and Platform Changes
We aim to maintain accurate and available services but do not guarantee uninterrupted access or error-free operation. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue parts of the Platform at any time for maintenance, security, legal, or operational reasons.
We may update content without prior notice. You should confirm critical details directly with the chapter before relying on time-sensitive information.
10. Third-Party Services and Links
The Platform may link to third-party websites, tools, or social platforms. External resources are provided for convenience and reference only. We do not control and are not responsible for third-party content, availability, terms, privacy practices, or business conduct.
11. Programs, Events, and Educational Activities
References to programs, events, educational opportunities, or chapter initiatives are subject to eligibility criteria, capacity limits, policy requirements, and operational changes. Publication on the Platform does not create a guaranteed right of participation, certification, or selection.
12. No Warranty
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Platform and all content are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, accuracy, and uninterrupted availability.
13. Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by applicable law, ACS Pakistan Chapter and its officers, representatives, affiliates, and service providers will not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, revenue, data, goodwill, or business interruption arising out of or related to your use of or inability to use the Platform.
Where liability cannot be excluded under applicable law, liability is limited to the minimum extent permitted by law.
14. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless ACS Pakistan Chapter and its representatives from claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or relating to your use of the Platform, your breach of these Terms, or your violation of law or third-party rights.
15. Suspension and Termination
We may suspend, restrict, or terminate access to some or all Platform features if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms, created security risk, engaged in unlawful activity, or interfered with chapter operations. We may also take steps required to protect users, infrastructure, and legal interests.
16. Privacy and Data Handling
Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how personal information is collected and processed. By using the Platform, you acknowledge that such processing may occur as described in the Privacy Policy.
17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws applicable in Pakistan, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Subject to any mandatory legal rights, courts of competent jurisdiction in Pakistan will have jurisdiction over disputes arising from or related to these Terms or the Platform.
18. Dispute Resolution and Time Limits
Before initiating formal proceedings, parties should attempt good-faith resolution by notifying the other party in writing with sufficient detail of the dispute. To the extent permitted by law, claims related to Platform use must be brought within a reasonable legal period after the cause of action arises.
19. Force Majeure
We are not responsible for delay or failure to perform caused by events beyond reasonable control, including infrastructure outages, cyber incidents, governmental actions, natural disasters, labor disruptions, telecommunications failure, or other force majeure events.
20. Severability and Waiver
If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, remaining provisions remain in effect. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver of future enforcement of that provision or any other provision.
21. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with referenced policies posted on the Platform, constitute the entire agreement regarding your use of the Platform and supersede prior or contemporaneous understandings relating to such use.
22. Contact
Questions about these terms can be sent to info@acspakistan.org.