Free Forums Website Terms of Use

These Free Forums Website Terms and Conditions are designed for websites offering free discussion forums on a wide range of topics.

They are intended for acceptance through use, so visitors are deemed to accept them as soon as they start using the site. The template also includes provisions for user accounts, with an option to require acceptance during sign-up.

Designed for forums built around user posts

This template is intended for websites where users post and engage in forum discussions. It distinguishes between content owned by the website operator and content owned by users, while allowing the operator to use user posts as needed to run the site.

Users retain ownership of copyright and other intellectual property rights in their posts, but grant the website operator a licence to use that content for the purposes necessary to operate the website. The terms also make clear that posts may be re-used by other users within the forums, for example in quotes or re-posts.

Intellectual property, copying and linking

The template protects intellectual property rights in site content and includes options covering:

• how much freedom users have to save and copy material from the site;
• whether deep-links to pages within the site are permitted;
• restrictions on links from sites publishing unsavoury or unlawful content.

It also makes clear that the website content is not intended for commercial use, while optionally clarifying that business users are not prevented from accessing the site.

Acceptable use, scraping and operator protection

The Acceptable Usage Policy is particularly important for forum posts. It sets out prohibited material and conduct, together with sanctions for breach.

This template also includes a clause prohibiting scraping and text and data mining, including activity commonly associated with AI training. It is intended to make such activity a direct breach of the website terms, although technical measures may also be advisable.

Disclaimers and liability provisions are included to protect the website operator to the maximum extent likely to be reasonable. Additional liability wording is also provided for business users, while recognising that terms must not be unfair to consumers.

Privacy, communications and operator details

The terms provide for key information about the website operator, including company registration details, trading address, and details of relevant regulatory bodies or associations.

Important legal point: for some trades and professions, additional information may need to be provided. This template does not include profession-specific wording, so those in regulated professions should take advice on what information they must give.

The template also covers internet security, privacy, cookies, data protection, and opting in and out of marketing communications. It is designed to be compatible with consumer protection legislation, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Free Forums Website Terms of Use is part of Business . Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Business for 1 year.