Free Digital Content Website Terms and Conditions Template

These Free Digital Content Website Terms and Conditions are designed for use with websites offering free media such as information, images, sound and video (“digital content”) for general use and are thus suitable for a wide range of different websites. We also offer an alternative set of terms and conditions specifically designed for websites offering more journalistic (news/magazine) style content which include a clause disclaiming the site operator’s responsibility for the opinions and views expressed in content, available here. Such a clause is not included in this document.

This document has been reviewed and updated in line with current best practice. A number of provisions have been re-worded to make them simpler, clearer, and more user-friendly. Some portions of the template have also been re-structured, also to improve user-friendliness. A revised “How to Contact Us” section includes a new option to cross-refer to a separate Acceptable Usage Policy instead of listing rules applicable to messages and other content in the terms and conditions themselves.

These website terms and conditions are intended to be accepted through use. Visitors are deemed to have accepted them as soon as they start using your site. This is made clear at the start of the terms. References are also included to other terms which apply to the website itself, such as your privacy policy and acceptable usage policy.

Important information about the website operator is provided, including company registration details, trading address, and details of any relevant regulatory bodies or associations. For certain trades and professions there may be additional information that website operators are required by law to provide. Members of regulated professions should include professional titles, links to professional rules and other important details. Such details are not included in this template and professional advice should be sought by those working in regulated professions.

Intellectual Property is particularly important when providing digital content. Detailed provisions in this template address IP. Various options are included in the template to allow you to choose how many freedoms to give to your users when it comes to saving and copying material from your site. These options are grouped into two versions of the IP clause. The first is more restrictive; the second, more flexible with more options. In either case, use of your content can be restricted to personal use or can be opened up to commercial use as well.

Further key provisions address links to and from the site, disclaimers, liability (with different provisions for consumers and business users), viruses and security, and acceptable use of the site.

Optional phrases / clauses are enclosed in square brackets. These should be read carefully and selected so as to be compatible with one another. Unused options should be removed from the document. Please note that while clause numbering is automatic, cross references to other clauses within the text do not update automatically and must be changed manually if the addition or removal of other clauses changes numbering.

This document is also available in the Internet & E-Commerce group.

These Free Digital Content Website Terms and Conditions contain the following clauses:

1. Definitions and Interpretation
2. Information About Us
3. How to Contact Us [and Your Use of Our Contact Tools]
4. Access to Our Site
5. Changes to Our Site
6. Changes to these Terms and Conditions
7. [International Users]
8. How You May Use Our Site and Content (Intellectual Property Rights)
9. Links to Our Site
10. Links to Other Sites
11. [Advertising]
12. Disclaimers
13. Our Liability
14. Viruses, Malware, and Security
15. Acceptable Usage of Our Site
16. How We Use Your Personal Information
17. [Communications from Us]
18. Law and Jurisdiction

This document is unlocked and in .doc format. Either enter the requisite details in the highlighted fields or adjust the wording to suit your purposes.

Once you have purchased access to the appropriate document folder click on the “Download Document” link below. You will be asked what you want to do with the file. It is recommended that you save the document to a location of your choice prior to viewing.