Disclaimer & Terms of Use

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS SITE.

ANY USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS OF USE.

The Interstitial Cystitis Network ("IC Network" "ICN"), a division of J.H. Osborne, Inc., provides complimentary Internet-based communications and information services to the consumer. By using this site, you signify your agreement to these Terms and Conditions of use. You must agree to these Terms and Conditions in order to use the IC Network web site. Please read this document carefully. If you do not agree to all of the Terms and Conditions of this agreement, do not use this site!

IC Network may revise and update these Terms and Conditions at anytime. Please periodically review the Terms and Conditions posted at the IC Network Website because your continued usage of the IC Network website ("IC Network Site," or the "Site,") will mean you accept those changes.

The IC Network consists of several web sites, including:

http://www.ic-network.com
http://www.canadaic.com
http://www.icnaustralia.com
http://www.interstitialcystitis.info
http://www.pelvicpain.info
http://www.bladdernetwork.com

We use the term "site" to encompass all related web sites.

THE CONTENT ON THE IC NETWORK SITES IS PRESENTED IN SUMMARY FORM, IS GENERAL IN NATURE, AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION. NEITHER THE CONTENT NOR ANY OTHER SERVICE OFFERED BY OR THROUGH IC NETWORK OR THE IC NETWORK SITE IS INTENDED TO BE RELIED ON FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON THE IC NETWORK SITE!

IC Network does not recommend or endorse any specific test, products, or procedures that may be mentioned on the site. Any opinions expressed on the Site are the opinions of the authors or users. IC Network does not assume any liability for the contents of any material provided on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by IC Network or other visitors to the Site is solely at your own risk. IC Network assumes no liability or responsibility for damage or injury to persons or property arising from any use of any product, information, idea, or instruction contained in the materials provided to you. IC Network reserves the right to change or discontinue at any time any aspect or feature of this Site.

You understand further that the Internet contains unedited materials some of which are sexually explicit. You access this material at your own risk. IC Network, its staff, volunteers and its suppliers have no control over and accept no responsibility whatsoever for such materials.

Section 2. IC Network's Position on Your Privacy.

This statement discloses the privacy policies of the Interstitial Cystitis Network web site. Questions about this statement should be directed to jill@ic-network.com. Please be aware that the ICN contains links to other web sites. The ICN is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of such web sites.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): The IC Network is NOT intended for the use of children under the age of 13. Our materials are academic in nature and written for young adults, adults and senior citizens with a minimum high school education who are struggling with bladder disease. Parents of children with IC are certainly welcome.

a. Medical Web Site Standards.

• The IC Network subscribes to the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct for medical and health web sites. To learn more, please visit their web site: http://www.hon.ch/HONcode/Conduct.html?HONConduct269714

b. Information We Gather or Track

• Your computer communicates with our servers via an IP address (Internet Protocol) which tells us your internet service provider.
• Our automaticed "announcement only" mailing list and Message Board System collects only the country, age and sex of those who sign up for use as we develop new resources for our website.
• Voluntary IC surveys may ask for information related to your experience and symptoms of IC. To ensure your privacy, we will not ask for any names or email addresses of those who participate. We will assign a random number or designator to identify specific survey results. Survey results will be assessed by ICN staff and published via our web site.
• The ICN uses cookies in our message board system to store password information on our user's browsers.
• ICN Subscribers and/or customers do submit their name, address and occasional credit card information for shipping and invoicing purposes. This information is kept in the ICN offices in California and will not be sold or distributed for profit.

c. Voluntary Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information on Message Boards, Chat Rooms (ICN Conference Center)

• The ICN Message Boards and Chat Rooms are open to IC patients and providers. Any information that you voluntarily disclose (such as your email address or name) is accessible to any who read the boards. On occasion, individuals and companies may attempt to sell products, services or books on our site. These posts violate our web site Use Guidelines and will be deleted. However, we can not prevent solicitations by e-mail done beyond our control. If you receive a solicitation, please know that this is done without our permission and is a direct violation of our use guidelines.
• Any communication which you post on the IC Network web site (message boards, chat rooms, guest book), by fax or email to ICN offices is considered to be non-confidential. We do not engage in confidential discussions with patients about their medical care.

d. What We Do with Collected Information.

• Collected information is only accessible by senior ICN staff.
• We use mailing list & message board information to create plan and develop new features for our web site.
• We will use your email information to provide you with newsletters/service updates from our site.
• Our e-mail list and subscriber/customer lists will not be sold or otherwise transferred to unaffiliated third parties without the Subscriber's or User's prior consent.

e. Choosing to Opt Out of Information Collection

• You can opt out of ICN mailings by following the unsubscribe link placed at the bottom of every email list.
• If you are having trouble unsubscribing, please contact jill@ic-network.com

f. IP Address Policies

• The IC Network has access to the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer when you visit our web site and use our message boards. The IC Network makes no attempt to trace IP addresses UNLESS, in the sole judgement of ICN staff or volunteers,
  1. an individual is exhibiting suicidal behavior for which ICN staff will try to locate the appropriate medical or law enforcement officials, and
  2. an individual attempts to disrupt the activities of the ICN message boards, as discussed in section 6 of the ICN Disclaimer. This IP address and any identifiable information provided in the message (such as a name, or email address) will be logged and then provided to the appropriate ISP and/or legal representatives for an investigation of that users conduct. An example of a referral is the AOL Terms of Service Staff.

g. Deleting or Deactivating Your Name It is not feasible to delete all traces of a Subscriber's or User's activity in our message board system. However, we do offer you the opportunity to delete your email address-the only individually identifiable piece of information about your account - You can do this via the "profile" link at the top of the message board. However, if you do remove your email address, you may not be notified of important changes to the system.

Upon acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, IC Network authorizes you to view or download a single copy of the material on this website solely for your personal, noncommercial use.

The contents of the IC Network Site, such as text, graphics, images and other material including software licensed by IC Network to permit Users to access the IC Network Site ("Content"), are protected by copyright under both United States and foreign laws, and title to the Content shall not pass to you or any other User. Unauthorized use of the Content may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws. None of the Content may be reverse-engineered, disassembled, decompiled, reproduced, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into any language or computer language, re-transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photoreproduction, recordation or otherwise), resold or redistributed without the prior written consent of IC Network, except that you may reproduce limited excerpts of the data for personal use only, provided that each such copy contains a copyright notice as follows:

Content is subject to change without notice at the editorial discretion of IC Network. If you violate any of these Terms and Conditions, your permission to use the Content automatically terminates and you must immediately destroy any copies you have made of any portion of the Content.

Section 4. Company's Liability; Disclaimer of Consequential Damages.

The Content comes from sources believed to be accurate, but may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors. IC Network makes no representations about the results to be obtained from using the IC Network Site or the Content. The use of the IC Network Site and the Content is at your own risk.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE IC NETWORK SITES, INFORMATION WILL BE TRANSMITTED OVER LOCAL EXCHANGE, INTEREXCHANGE AND INTERNET BACKBONE CARRIER LINES AND THROUGH ROUTERS, SWITCHES AND OTHER DEVICES OWNED, MAINTAINED AND SERVICED BY THIRD PARTY LOCAL EXCHANGE AND LONG DISTANCE CARRIERS, UTILITIES, INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS AND OTHERS, ALL OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL AND JURISDICTION OF IC NETWORK AND ITS SUPPLIERS. ACCORDINGLY, IC NETWORK ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR OR RELATING TO THE DELAY, FAILURE, INTERRUPTION OR CORRUPTION OF ANY DATA OR OTHER INFORMATION TRANSMITTED IN CONNECTION WITH USE OF THE IC NETWORK Site.

THE IC NETWORK SITES AND THE CONTENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. IC NETWORK, ITS STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPLIERS, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTIES' RIGHTS, AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

IC NETWORK, ITS LICENSORS, AND ITS SUPPLIERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, COMPLETENESS, CURRENTNESS OR TIMELINESS OF THE CONTENT, SOFTWARE, TEXT, GRAPHICS, LINKS, OR COMMUNICATIONS PROVIDED ON OR THROUGH THE USE OF THE IC NETWORK SITE OR IC NETWORK. IC NETWORK, ITS STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPLIERS DO NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTY THAT THE CONTENT CONTAINED ON THE IC NETWORK SITE SATISFIES GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS REQUIRING DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRODUCTS.

Section 5. User Submissions.

Except as described herein, any communication which you post on the IC Network Site, fax or email is considered to be non-confidential. You agree that you will not upload or transmit any communications that infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights of any party. By submitting communications to any part of this Site, you automatically grant -- or warrant that the owner of such content has expressly granted --IC Network a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, world-wide nonexclusive license to use, reproduce, create derivative works from, modify, publish, edit, translate, distribute, perform, and display the communication alone or as part of other works in any form, media, or technology whether now known or hereafter developed, and to sublicense such rights through multiple tiers of sublicenses.

Section 6. Use of Interactive Areas.

IC Network may provide Interactive Areas (ICN Conference Center) on the IC Network Site. If you use our message boards or chat rooms, you are solely responsible for your own communications and the consequences of posting those communications. The IC Network does not assume any responsibility for the consequences of any Interactive Area communications on or arising from use of the IC Network Site. In cases where you feel threatened or believe someone else is in danger, you should contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.

In consideration of being allowed to use the Message Boards and Chat Rooms, you agree that the following actions shall constitute a material breach of these Terms and Conditions:

1. Use of an Interactive Area for any purpose in violation of local, state, national, or international laws;
2. Post material that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others or on the privacy or publicity rights of others;
3. Post material that is unlawful, obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, abusive, hateful, or embarrassing to another Subscriber or any other person or entity as determined by IC Network at its sole discretion pursuant to this Section 12;
4. Post advertisements or solicitations of business;
5. After receiving a warning, continue to disrupt the normal flow of dialogue, or post comments that are not related to the topic being discussed (unless it is clear the discussion is free form);
6. Post chain letters or pyramid schemes;
7. Impersonate another person;
8. Allow any other person or entity to use your identification to post or view comments
9. Post the same note more than once (The online word for posting many times on one topic is "spamming." Spamming is strictly prohibited); or
10. Engage in any other conduct that restricts or inhibits any other person from using or enjoying the Message Boards or Chats, or which, in the judgment of IC Network, exposes IC Network or any of its customers or suppliers to any liability or detriment of any type.

IC Network reserves the right to record the dialogue in public chat rooms. The IC Network does not screen communications in advance and is not responsible for screening or monitoring material posted by Users or any other person or entity. If notified by a User of communication(s) which are alleged not to conform to the terms of this Section, IC Network may investigate the allegation and determine in its sole discretion to remove or request the removal of the communication(s). IC Network reserves the right to remove communications which are abusive, illegal, disruptive, or that otherwise fail to conform with these Terms and Conditions.

In addition to the removal rights described above, IC Network reserves the right to terminate a Subscriber's/Users access to any or all Interactive Area upon Subscriber's/Users breach of these Terms and Conditions. IC Network reserves the right (but is not obligated) to edit or delete any communication(s) posted on the IC Network Site, regardless of whether such communication(s) violate these standards for content.

Furthermore, IC Network reserves the right (but is not obligated) to monitor, edit, or disclose any type of posting on the Interactive Areas for adherence to the Terms and Conditions, if required in the course of normal operation and maintenance of IC Network, or if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to: (i) comply with the law or comply with legal process served; (ii) protect and defend the rights of IC Network or others; or (iii) act in an emergency to protect the personal safety of our guests or the public. IC Network HAS NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO SUBSCRIBERS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR PERFORMANCE OR NONPERFORMANCE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED SCREENING ACTIVITIES.

IC Network does not represent or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of any of the material posted by Interactive Area users or endorse any opinions expressed by such users. ANY RELIANCE ON CONTENT POSTED IN AN INTERACTIVE AREA IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Through your use of the IC Network Site's Message Boards & Chat Rooms, you are agreeing to all of the aforementioned Terms and Conditions for the use of such Interactive Areas contained herein.

Section 7. Links to Other Sites.

The IC Network Site contains links to third party web sites. These links are provided solely as a convenience to you and not as an endorsement by IC Network of the content on such third-party web sites. IC Network is not responsible for the content of linked third-party sites and does not make any representations regarding the content or accuracy of materials on such third-party web sites. If you decide to access linked third-party web sites, you do so at your own risk. Your use of third-party websites is subject to the Terms and Conditions of use for such sites.

Section 8. Advertisements.

The IC Network Site contains advertisements by third parties, and these advertisements may contain links to other web sites. Unless otherwise specifically stated, IC Network does not endorse any product or make any representation regarding the content or accuracy of any materials contained in, or linked to, any advertisement on the IC Network Site.

Section 9. Indemnity.

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold IC Network, its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors and suppliers, harmless from and against any claims, actions or demands, liabilities and settlements including without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees, resulting from, or alleged to result from, your use of the Content (including Software), or the Interactive Areas in a manner that violates or is alleged to violate these Terms and Conditions. IC Network shall provide notice to you promptly of any such claim, suit, or proceeding and shall reasonably cooperate with you, at your expense, in your defense of any such claim, suit or proceeding.

Section 10. Export Control.

The United States controls the export of products and information. You agree to comply with such restrictions and not to export or re-export the Contents to countries or persons prohibited under the export control laws. By downloading the Contents, you are agreeing that you are not in a country where such export is prohibited or are a person or entity to which such export is prohibited. You are responsible for compliance with the laws of your local jurisdiction regarding the import, export, or re-export of the Contents (including Software). The IC Network makes no claims the Content is appropriate or may be downloaded outside of the United States. Access to the Content may not be legal by certain persons or in certain countries. If you access the IC Network Site from outside the United States, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with the laws of your jurisdiction.

Section 11. General & Jurisdiction

IC Network & J.H. Osborne, Inc. are based in Santa Rosa, California in the United States of America.

You expressly agree that exclusive jurisdiction for any dispute with IC Network, or in any way relating to your Subscribership or use of IC Network, resides in the courts of the State of California, County of Sonoma and you further agree and expressly consent to the exercise of personal jurisdiction in the courts of the State of California, County of Sonoma in connection with any such dispute including any claim involving IC Network or its affiliates, subsidiaries, employees, contractors, officers, directors, telecommunication providers and content providers.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of California. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid by any court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these Terms and Conditions, which shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any of these Terms and Conditions shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or condition or any other term or condition.

Section 12. Complete Agreement.

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN A PARTICULAR "LEGAL NOTICE" ON THE IC NETWORK SITE, THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONSTITUTE THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND IC NETWORK WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF THE IC NETWORK SITE AND CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.

ANY USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS OF USE.

Revised: May 2007