TERMS OF SERVICE

Last Updated: 13-01-2025

Welcome to Project EDI Limited (“we, us, our, or Project EDI”). We operate the Open Source Sign Language (“OSSL”) platform, a community-driven project focused on preserving sign languages worldwide, advancing research, and enhancing accessibility.

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of our services available at ossl.project-edi.org (the “Platform”). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

1. Who We Are

• Company Name: Project EDI Limited
• Company Number: 15253340
• Email: [email protected]

2. Purpose of the Platform

2.1 Community-Driven Sign Language Preservation

The OSSL platform enables users to upload sign language videos. Our mission is to create an open community to advance research, foster inclusivity, and preserve sign languages globally. The Platform is currently free to use. However, we reserve the right to introduce paid features or subscriptions in the future. We will notify registered users by email before implementing any fees.

2.2 Intended Scope and Availability

The Platform is accessible worldwide, but it is operated under the laws of England and Wales. By using the Platform, you agree to comply with all local laws regarding online conduct and acceptable content.

3. Eligibility and Age Restriction

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account or upload content. By registering or uploading videos, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18.
• We may suspend or terminate accounts where we believe you are under 18 or have otherwise misrepresented your eligibility.

4. User Accounts and Registration

1. Account Creation: You may need to create an account to upload videos or access certain features. When you create an account, you may provide an email address.
2. Accuracy of Information: You agree to provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information. You are responsible for all activities under your account.
3. Privacy: Our approach to data protection and handling of personal data is detailed in our Privacy Policy. By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy.
4. Account Termination: We reserve the right to terminate or suspend any account at any time, for any reason, including breaches of these Terms.

5. User-Generated Content (UGC)

5.1 Submission Flow

1. Prompt and Recording: You may be shown a sentence or phrase to sign.
2. Public or Private Upload: You choose whether to make your uploaded video “Public” or “Private”:
   • Public: Your video will be released under a CC0 (public domain) licence, meaning anyone can use and share it without restriction.
   • Private: Your video will not be publicly displayed; however, we will use automated tools (e.g., Mediapipe) to extract sign language features for research purposes.
3. Deletion Before Release: You may request deletion of your videos (by emailing[email protected]) before the dataset is officially released. Once a video is released in a public dataset, we cannot remove it from the public domain.
4. Ratings and Moderation:
   • The community may give your video a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.”
   • Users can also flag or report videos for moderation if they believe the content is inappropriate or infringing.

5.2 Warranties and Representations

1. Legal Right: You have all necessary rights to perform and upload the content.
2. Copyright-Free Sentences: The sentence or phrase you are signing is in the public domain or otherwise not subject to copyright restrictions.
3. No Minor Depictions: You do not depict anyone under 18 years of age in your submission.
4. Compliance with Laws: Your content does not violate any applicable laws or the rights of any third party.

5.3 Licensing for Public Videos (CC0)

1. CC0 Licence: By choosing to make a video “Public,” you consent to releasing it under the Creative Commons CC0 Licence.
2. Irrevocable Waiver: Under CC0, you waive all copyright and related or neighboring rights to the fullest extent permitted by law.
3. No Control Over Use: Once released, anyone can download and use these public videos. Although we strongly encourage beneficial uses (e.g., sign language research), we cannot control how others use public domain material.

5.4 Licence for Private Videos

Limited Licence to Project EDI: For “Private” uploads, you retain copyright, but grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to process, analyse, and extract features for research and development of sign language technology. We will not share or publicly distribute the raw video.

6. Data Release and Restrictions

6.1 Dataset Releases

• Release Schedule: We periodically compile and release datasets containing public videos and extracted data.
• Post-Release Removal: Once your public video is included in a released dataset under CC0, it is not possible to retract it from the public domain.

6.2 Usage of Released Data

• Intended Use: We request that those downloading the datasets use them only for sign language-related research or purposes beneficial to the Deaf or signing community.
• No Identification: We explicitly ask that downloaders refrain from attempting to identify individual users.
• CC0 Limitation: Because CC0 places content in the public domain, we cannot enforce these restrictions by law. Nonetheless, we rely on community goodwill and ethical standards.

7. Privacy and Data Protection

1. Data Collected:
   • Email Address (if provided, used to identify and potentially delete your content upon request).
   • Optional Attributes such as location (dialect), gender, and age group.
2. Data Handling:
   • We follow GDPR and UK data protection regulations.
   • Personal data is not included in public releases.
3. User Rights:
   • You have the right to request access, rectification, or deletion of your personal data.
   • If you wish to delete your videos or personal details, email [email protected].
4. Privacy Policy: For more information on how we store and process personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

8. Prohibited Conduct

When using the Platform, you agree not to:

1. Violate any law, regulation, or these Terms.
2. Upload content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, hateful, or otherwise objectionable.
3. Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation.
4. Attempt to reverse-engineer or harm the Platform through malicious code.
5. Circumvent any security measures or technical restrictions.

We reserve the right to remove any content and/or suspend or terminate accounts violating this section.

9. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

1. User-Generated Content: The videos on the Platform are generated by users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose, and we disclaim all liability for any harm resulting from their use.
2. As Is: The Platform is provided “as is” without any warranties, express or implied. We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation.
3. Limitation of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, Project EDI Limited, its directors, employees, or agents are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with your use of or inability to use the Platform.
4. No Exclusion of Mandatory Protections: Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded by law.

10. Modifications to the Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by:

1. Posting a notice on the Platform, and/or
2. Sending an email to registered users.

By continuing to use the Platform after changes are posted, you agree to the updated Terms.

11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. You agree that any dispute relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be subject to theexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms or the Platform, please contact us at: [email protected]

Thank You

Thank you for being part of this community-driven effort. We are committed to fostering inclusivity, accessibility, and open collaboration for sign language preservation and research. We look forward to seeing your contributions and working together toward a more inclusive world.