Terms of Service

Last updated November 7, 2019

1. Acceptance of the Terms of Service

These Terms of Service are entered into by and between You and Integrative Medicine Institute LLC d/b/a Scientific Writing in Health and Medicine (“SWIHM”, “us” or “we”). The following terms and conditions, together with any documents (collectively, these “Terms of Service”), govern your access to and use of the websites https://www.swihm.com/ or https://courses.swihm.com/ or https://www.care-writer.com/ or https://app.care-writer.com or https://www.care-statement.org (our “Website”), applications, or other services we offer where these Terms of Service are posted, including any content, features, functionality, and services offered on or through the same that we make available to you (collectively, the “Services”), whether as a guest or a registered user. Please read the Terms of Service carefully before you start to use the Services. 

BY USING THE SERVICES OR BY CLICKING TO ACCEPT OR AGREE TO THE TERMS OF SERVICE WHEN THIS OPTION IS MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU, YOU ACCEPT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND AND ABIDE BY THESE TERMS OF SERVICE AND OUR PRIVACY POLICY, FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO AGREE TO THESE TERMS OF SERVICE OR THE PRIVACY POLICY, YOU MUST NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICES. 

The Services are offered and available to users who are 18 years of age or older. By using this Website, you represent and warrant that you meet all of the foregoing eligibility requirements. If you do not meet all of these requirements, you must not access or use the Website.

2. Changes to the Terms of Service

We may revise and update these Terms of Service from time to time in our sole discretion. Unless we state otherwise, all changes are effective upon notice and apply to all access to and use of the Services thereafter. However, any changes to the dispute resolution provisions set forth in Governing Law and Jurisdiction (section 25 below) will not apply to any disputes for which the parties have actual notice on or prior to the date the change is posted on the Services. Your continued use of the Services following posting of revised Terms of Service means that you accept and agree to the changes. 

3. Your Privacy

All information that you provide to us or that we collect through your use of the Services is subject to our Privacy Policy found on our Website. By using the Services, you consent to all actions taken by us with respect to your information in compliance with the Privacy Policy. 

4. The Services

The Services include the following:

  • SWIHM’s online courses, hosted on the learning management system Teachable (see Teachable’s Terms of Use).

  • SWIHM’s online application CARE-writer. This app helps authors write case reports following the CARE guidelines for submission to preprint servers or scientific journals.

  • Editorial and consulting services. These services are billed on a project specific basis and include writing and editorial support for professional presentations (editing and writing assessment, scientific literature search and reference selection, creating tables and figures, copy-editing, translation, and journal submission), and consulting services.

5. Accessing and Using the Services

We reserve the right to withdraw or amend the Services, including any content, information, or other materials we provide through or in connection with the Services (“Service Content”) in our sole discretion without notice. We will not be liable if for any reason all or any part of the Services or Service Content is unavailable at any time or for any period. From time to time, we may restrict access to some or all parts of the Services or Service Content. To access the Services, you may be asked to create an account by providing certain registration details or other information. Regardless of whether you register with us or use the Services as a guest, it is a condition of your use of the Services that all the information you provide on the Services is correct, current, and complete. If you choose, or are provided with, a username, password, or any other piece of information as part of our security procedures, you must treat such information as confidential, and you must not disclose it to any other person or entity. You also acknowledge that your account is personal to you and agree not to provide any other person with access to the Services or portions of it using your username, password or other security information. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to or use of your username or password or any other breach of security.  We have the right to disable any username, password or other identifier, whether chosen by you or provided by us, at any time in our sole discretion for any or no reason, including if, in our opinion, you have violated any provision of these Terms of Service.

6. Mobile Device Access

To the extent you access the Services through a mobile device, your wireless service carrier’s standard charges, data rates, and other fees may apply. In addition, downloading, installing, or using certain mobile services or applications may be prohibited or restricted by your carrier, and not all mobile services or applications may work with all carriers or devices. In the event you change or deactivate your mobile telephone number, you agree to promptly update your SWIHM account information.

7. Intellectual Property

The Services and Service Content and all rights therein are owned by SWIHM, its licensors or other providers of such material, and are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws. Subject to your compliance with these Terms of Service, SWIHM grants you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, and non-transferable license in the United States to access and use the Services and Service Content solely for your personal, non-commercial use. No right, title, or interest in or to the Services or any Service Content is transferred to you, and all rights not expressly granted are reserved by SWIHM and its licensors. Any use of the Services and/or Service Content not expressly permitted by these Terms of Service is a breach of these Terms of Service and may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws. You must not:

  • Modify the Services or any Service Content; or

  • Delete or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights notices from the Services or any Service Content.

8. Trademarks

The SWIHM and CARE-writer names and the SWIHM and CARE-writer logos and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of SWIHM or its licensors. You must not use such marks without the prior written permission of SWIHM. All other names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans on the Services are the trademarks of their respective owners.

9. Promo Codes

SWIHM may, in its discretion, provide you with codes from time to time which allow you to use the Services with reduced payment (“Promo Codes”). You agree that Promo Codes are personal to you and may not be sold, transferred, or shared with third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, you agree not to post Promo Codes on websites or otherwise share them with the public. Promo Codes have no cash value and may expire prior to your use. We reserve the right to disable a Promo Code that has been issued at any time and for any reason. 

10. Fees and Payment

SWIHM offers several different purchase options for use of the Services. You may pay for the Services by credit card or with other services such as a PayPal account. You represent and warrant to SWIHM that any payment information you provide to SWIHM is true and correct and that you are authorized to use such payment account. You agree to promptly update your account information with any changes that may be necessary (for example, a change in your billing address or credit card expiration date). As per Teachable’s Terms of Use, students enrolling in a SWIHM course are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of their initial payment. From time to time and in our sole discretion, we may choose to provide to you a one-time refund, discount, or other consideration (“credit”). The provision of a credit to you in one instance does not entitle you to a credit in the future for a similar instance, nor does it obligate us to provide credits in the future, under any circumstance.  If you have a question about our refund policy, contact SWIHM. (See Notices to Us and Your Comments and Concerns below in Section 30) 

11. User Conduct

You may use the Services and Service Content only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms of Service. You agree not to use the Services or Service Content:

  • In any way that violates any applicable federal, state, local, or international law or regulation (including, without limitation, any laws regarding the export of data or software to and from the US or other countries).

  • For the purpose of exploiting, harming, or attempting to exploit or harm minors in any way by exposing them to inappropriate content, asking for personally identifiable information, or otherwise.

  • To engage in any other conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone’s use or enjoyment of the Services or Service Content, or which, as determined by us, may harm SWIHM or users of the Services or expose them to liability.

  • Use the Services in any manner that could disable, overburden, damage, or impair the Website or interfere with any other party’s use of the Services, including their ability to engage in real-time activities through the Services.

  • Use any robot, spider, or other automatic device, process, or means to access the Services for any purpose, including monitoring or copying any Service Content.

  • Use any manual process to monitor or copy any Service Content or for any other unauthorized purpose without our prior written consent.

  • Use any device, software, or routine that interferes with the proper working of the Services.

  • Introduce any viruses, Trojan horses, worms, logic bombs, or other material which is malicious or technologically harmful.

  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to, interfere with, damage, or disrupt any parts of the Services, the servers on which the Services or Service Content are stored, or any server, computer, or database connected to the Services.

  • Attack the Services via a denial-of-service attack or a distributed denial-of-service attack.

  • To transmit, or procure the sending of, any advertising or promotional material, including any “junk mail”, “chain letter” or “spam” or any other similar solicitation.

  • To impersonate or attempt to impersonate SWIHM, a SWIHM employee, another user, or any other person or entity (including, without limitation, by using e-mail addresses or screen names associated with any of the foregoing).

  • Otherwise attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Services.

12. User Contributions

SWIHM may, in its sole discretion, permit you from time to time to post, submit, publish, display, or transmit (hereinafter, “submit”) to SWIHM through the Services content or materials including, without limitation, feedback related to the Services. Any User Contribution you submit will be considered non-confidential and non-proprietary. By providing any User Contribution on the Services, you grant us and our affiliates, business partners, and service providers, and each of their and our respective licensees, successors and assigns the right to use, reproduce, modify, perform, display, distribute and otherwise disclose to third parties any such material for any purpose, without further notice to or consent from you, and without payment to you or any person or entity. 

You represent and warrant that: 

  • You either own or control all rights in and to the User Contributions or have the right to grant the license granted above to us and our affiliates, business partners, and service providers, and each of their and our respective licensees, successors and assigns;

  • Your User Contributions will not contain any material which is defamatory, obscene, indecent, abusive, offensive, harassing, violent, hateful, inflammatory or otherwise objectionable or otherwise violate the legal rights (including the rights of publicity and privacy) of others or contain any material that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under applicable laws or regulations;

  • Neither your User Contributions nor use of your User Contributions as contemplated herein will infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other intellectual property or other rights of any other person or entity; and

  • All of your User Contributions do and will comply with these Terms of Service.

You understand and acknowledge that you are responsible for any User Contributions you submit or contribute, and you, not SWIHM, have full responsibility for such content, including its legality, reliability, accuracy, and appropriateness. We are not responsible, or liable to any third party, for the content or accuracy of any User Contributions submitted by you or any other user of the Services. 

13. Monitoring and Enforcement; Termination

We have the right to:

  • Disclose your identity or other information about you to any third party who claims that material posted by you through or in connection with your use of the Services is defamatory or otherwise violates their rights, including their intellectual property rights or their right to privacy.

  • Disclose your identity or other information about you to any third party who claims that any act or omission attributable to you violates its rights, applicable law, or these Terms of Service.

  • Take appropriate legal action, including without limitation, referral to law enforcement, for any illegal or unauthorized use of the Services.

  • Terminate or suspend your access to all or part of the Services for any or no reason, including without limitation, any violation of these Terms of Service.

Without limiting the foregoing, we have the right to fully cooperate with any law enforcement authorities or court order requesting or directing us to disclose the identity or other information of anyone posting any materials on or through the Services or otherwise in any way related to your use of the Services. YOU WAIVE AND HOLD HARMLESS SWIHM AND ITS AFFILIATES, BUSINESS PARTNERS, LICENSORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM ANY CLAIMS RESULTING FROM ANY ACTION TAKEN BY ANY OF THE FOREGOING PARTIES DURING, OR TAKEN AS A CONSEQUENCE OF, INVESTIGATIONS BY SUCH PARTIES OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES.

14. Reliance on Information Posted

The information presented on or through the Services is made available solely for general information purposes. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to the Services, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents. The Services may include content provided by third parties, including materials provided by other users and third-party licensors. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, and all articles and responses to questions and other content, other than the content provided by SWIHM, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of SWIHM. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.

15. Copyright Policy

Reporting Claims of Copyright Infringement. We take claims of copyright infringement seriously. We will respond to notices of alleged infringement that comply with applicable law. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide us with the following information required by the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512) (“DMCA”), the written notice (the “DMCA Notice”) must include substantially the following: 

  1. Your physical or electronic signature or the signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed;

  2. Identification of the copyright work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works at a single online site are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works at that site;

  3. Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material;

  4. Information reasonably sufficient to permit us to contact the complaining party (including your name, postal address, telephone number, and, if available, email address);

  5. A statement that the complaining party has a good-faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and

  6. A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed. 

Our designated agent to receive DMCA Notices is:

David Riley
Scientific Writing in Health and Medicine
2437A NW Overton St
503-224-9136
david@swihm.com

If you fail to comply with all of the requirements of Section 512(c)(4) of the DMCA, your DMCA Notice may not be effective. Please be aware that if you knowingly materially misrepresent that material or activity on the Website is infringing your copyright, you may be held liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) under Section 512(f) of the DMCA. 

Repeat Infringers. It is our policy in appropriate circumstances to disable and/or terminate the accounts of users who are repeat infringers.

16. Changes to the Services

We may update the Service Content from time to time, but the Service Content is not necessarily complete or up-to-date. Accordingly, any of the Service Content may be out of date at any given time, and we are under no obligation to update such material. 

17. Other Terms and Conditions

Additional terms and conditions may also apply to specific portions, services, or features of the Services. All such additional terms and conditions are hereby incorporated by this reference into these Terms of Service.

18. Idea Submission Policy

Other than those we have specifically requested (and to which specific additional terms apply), our policy is not to accept or consider ideas or suggestions submitted by our users. We have adopted this policy in order to avoid confusion and misunderstandings in case that your ideas, suggestions, or other materials are similar to ones that have developed (or may develop) independently. Therefore, we are not responsible for any ideas, suggestions, or materials submitted to us. If you still choose to send us ideas, suggestions, or other materials, you agree that we are free to use these ideas, suggestions, or other materials in any way that we deem fit without any liability or payment of any kind to you.

19. Social Media Features

The Services may provide certain social media features that enable you to:

  • Link from your own or certain third-party websites to certain content on the Services.

  • Send e-mails or other communications with certain content, or links to certain content, on the Services.

  • Cause limited portions of content on the Services to be displayed or appear to be displayed on your own or certain third-party websites.

You may use these features solely as they are provided by us, solely with respect to the content they are displayed with and otherwise in accordance with any additional terms and conditions we provide with respect to such features. We may disable all or any social media features and any links at any time without notice in our discretion. 

20. Third Party Sites and Services

The Services may link to or may be accessed in connection with other sites, services, or resources that are provided by third parties. These links or the ability to access other sites, services, or resources from the Service are provided for your convenience only. We have no control over the content of those sites, services, or resources, and accept no responsibility for them or for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of them. If you decide to access any of the third-party sites, services, or resources linked to or otherwise accessible from the Services, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use and privacy policies for such sites.

21. Geographic Restrictions

The owner of the Services is based in the state of Oregon in the United States. We make no claims that the Services or any of its content is accessible or appropriate outside of the United States. Access to the Services may not be legal by certain persons or in certain countries. If you access the Services from outside the United States, you do so on your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws.

22. Disclaimer of Warranties

You understand that we cannot and do not guarantee or warrant that files available for downloading from the internet or the Services will be free of viruses or other destructive code. You are responsible for implementing sufficient procedures and checkpoints to satisfy your particular requirements for anti-virus protection and accuracy of data input and output, and for maintaining a means external to our site for any reconstruction of any lost data. WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY A DISTRIBUTED DENIAL-OF-SERVICE ATTACK, VIRUSES OR OTHER TECHNOLOGICALLY HARMFUL MATERIAL THAT MAY INFECT YOUR COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, COMPUTER PROGRAMS, DATA OR OTHER PROPRIETARY MATERIAL DUE TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES OR PRODUCTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE WEBSITE OR TO YOUR DOWNLOADING OF ANY MATERIAL POSTED ON IT, OR ON ANY WEBSITE LINKED TO IT. YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, ITS CONTENT, AND ANY SERVICES OR PRODUCTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE WEBSITE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE WEBSITE, ITS CONTENT AND ANY SERVICES OR PRODUCTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. NEITHER SWIHM NOR ANY PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH SWIHM MAKES ANY WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPLETENESS, SECURITY, RELIABILITY, QUALITY, ACCURACY OR AVAILABILITY OF THE WEBSITE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, NEITHER SWIHM NOR ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH SWIHM REPRESENTS OR WARRANTS THAT THE WEBSITE, ITS CONTENT OR ANY SERVICES OR PRODUCTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE WEBSITE WILL BE ACCURATE, RELIABLE, ERROR-FREE OR UNINTERRUPTED, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, THAT OUR SITE OR THE SERVER THAT MAKES IT AVAILABLE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS OR THAT THE WEBSITE OR ANY SERVICES OR PRODUCTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE WEBSITE WILL OTHERWISE MEET YOUR NEEDS OR EXPECTATIONS. THIS DISCLAIMER DOES NOT APPLY TO USER CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDED BY YOU. SWIHM HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE FOREGOING DOES NOT AFFECT ANY WARRANTIES THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED OR LIMITED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

23. Limitation on Liability.

IN NO EVENT WILL SWIHM, ITS AFFILIATES, BUSINESS PARTNERS, OR THEIR LICENSORS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE SERVICES, SERVICE CONTENT, OR SUCH OTHER WEBSITES OR ANY SERVICES OR ITEMS OBTAINED THROUGH THE SERVICES, INCLUDING ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PERSONAL INJURY, PAIN AND SUFFERING, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, LOSS OF REVENUE, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS OR ANTICIPATED SAVINGS, LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF GOODWILL, LOSS OF DATA, AND WHETHER CAUSED BY TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF FORESEEABLE. IN NO EVENT WILL SWIHM’S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU IN CONNECTION WITH THE SERVICES EXCEED THE GREATER OF (1) THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID TO SWIHM IN THE LAST TWELVE (12) MONTHS; OR (2) FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500 U.S.). THE FOREGOING DOES NOT AFFECT ANY LIABILITY WHICH CANNOT BE EXCLUDED OR LIMITED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

24. Indemnification and Release

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless SWIHM and its respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, licensors, suppliers, successors, and assigns from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to your violation of these Terms of Service or your use of any information obtained from the Services. If you are a California resident, you waive California Civil Code Section 1542, which says: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.” If you are a resident of another jurisdiction, you waive any comparable statute or doctrine.

25. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

All matters relating to the Services and these Terms of Service and any dispute or claim arising therefrom or related thereto (in each case, including non-contractual disputes or claims), shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Oregon without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Oregon or any other jurisdiction). Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of, or related to, these Terms of Service or the Services shall be instituted exclusively in the state or federal courts of Oregon although we retain the right to bring any suit, action or proceeding against you for breach of these Terms of Service in your state or country of residence. You waive any and all objections to the exercise of jurisdiction over you by such courts and to venue in such courts.

26. Limitation on Time to File Claims

ANY CAUSE OF ACTION OR CLAIM YOU MAY HAVE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OF SERVICE OR THE SERVICES MUST BE COMMENCED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES, OTHERWISE, SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION OR CLAIM IS PERMANENTLY BARRED. If any provision of these Terms of Service is held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be eliminated or limited to the minimum extent such that the remaining provisions of the Terms of Service will continue in full force and effect. So, for example, if a provision in these terms is found to be unenforceable, we agree an arbitrator (or, if permitted, a court) shall only strike that provision and that the remaining terms of these Terms of Service shall remain in force. 

27. No Assignment; Waiver and Severability

You may not assign these Terms of Service without SWIHM’s prior written consent and any purported assignment in violation of these Terms of Service shall be void. No waiver by SWIHM of any term or condition set forth in these Terms of Service shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or condition or a waiver of any other term or condition, and any failure of SWIHM to assert a right or provision under these Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

28. Entire Agreement

The Terms of Service (including our Privacy Policy and any other Additional Terms incorporated by reference) constitute the sole and entire agreement between you and SWIHM with respect to the Services and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the Services. 

29.  Notices to You

We may provide notice to you either by posting on our Website, sending a general notice to you through the Services, notifying you by email, or by sending you notice through first-class or regular mail. Unless our notice to you states otherwise, such notices shall be deemed to have been given (a) twenty-four (24) hours after such notice is posted on our website, sent by email, or sent through the Services, or (b) forty-eight (48) hours after mailed (if sent by first class regular mail). 

30.  Notices to Us and Your Comments and Concerns

All legal notices to SWIHM should be sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid to the following address: 2437A NW Overton St. Portland, OR 97210. Such notice shall be effective upon receipt by us. All notices of copyright infringement claims should be sent to the copyright agent designated in our Copyright Policy in Section 15 above. All other feedback, comments, requests for customer or technical support, and other communications relating to the Services should be directed to SWIHM at support@swihm.freshdesk.com.