Terms of Service

Last updated: March 4, 2024

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing and using Doctors' Choice Awards ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time without notice.

2. License and Use

Subject to these terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, revocable license to use the Service for your personal, non-commercial use. You agree not to:

  • Violate any applicable laws or regulations
  • Infringe upon intellectual property rights
  • Post false, misleading, or defamatory content
  • Engage in harassment, threats, or abusive behavior
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
  • Interfere with the normal operation of the Service
  • Spam or send unsolicited communications
  • Impersonate another person or entity

3. User Accounts

To access certain features, you may need to create an account. You are responsible for:

  • Providing accurate, complete information
  • Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
  • All activities that occur under your account
  • Notifying us immediately of unauthorized access

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms or engage in prohibited conduct.

4. Physician Credentials and Verification

For physician accounts, you agree to:

  • Provide truthful, accurate information about your credentials and qualifications
  • Allow verification against NPI database and state medical boards
  • Update your profile when credentials change
  • Disclose any disciplinary actions or license restrictions
  • Comply with medical and professional standards

Providing false information may result in immediate account termination and potential legal action.

5. User-Generated Content

By posting reviews, comments, or other content, you:

  • Grant us a worldwide, royalty-free license to use the content
  • Represent that you have the right to post such content
  • Assert that the content is truthful and accurate
  • Assume full responsibility for any claims arising from the content

We reserve the right to remove content that violates these terms or is illegal, defamatory, or harmful.

6. Prohibited Content

You agree not to post content that:

  • Is false, fraudulent, or misleading
  • Defames, harasses, or threatens any person
  • Violates privacy or intellectual property rights
  • Contains hate speech or discrimination
  • Promotes illegal activities
  • Contains malware, viruses, or malicious code
  • Is sexually explicit or obscene
  • Violates professional ethics or standards

7. Peer Review Standards

All peer reviews must:

  • Be based on actual professional experience or interaction
  • Be honest, objective, and constructive
  • Focus on professional conduct and clinical competence
  • Not reveal confidential patient information
  • Not be retaliatory or based on personal conflicts

We reserve the right to flag or remove reviews that fail to meet these standards.

8. Intellectual Property Rights

The Service, including all content, features, and functionality, is owned byDoctors' Choice Awards, its licensors, or other providers of such material. You are granted only the limited rights expressly granted in these terms. No license or right is granted to you beyond what is explicitly stated herein.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DOCTORS' CHOICE AWARDS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

  • Any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
  • Loss of data, revenue, or business opportunity
  • Damages arising from use or inability to use the Service
  • Third-party claims or actions

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability, so these limitations may not apply to you.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Doctors' Choice Awards, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or costs arising from your use of the Service, violation of these terms, or violation of any law or rights of third parties.

12. Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of external sites. Your use of third-party sites is at your own risk and subject to their terms of service.

13. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including if you breach these terms or engage in conduct that we deem inappropriate or harmful.

14. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these terms shall be governed by the laws of California and resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in California. You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of these courts.

Before pursuing legal action, you agree to attempt to resolve disputes through good faith negotiation.

15. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Continued use of the Service following changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms. We will notify users of material changes via email or prominent posting on the Service.

16. Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, or if not possible, severed. All other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

17. Contact Information

Questions about these Terms of Service should be directed to:

Email: legal@doctorschoiceawards.org

Address: San Francisco, California, United States