1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, using, or registering for any services provided by WiseLeaf Scientific Ventures ("WiseLeaf," "we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our services.

Important Notice

  • These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and WiseLeaf
  • By using our services, you confirm that you have the legal authority to enter into this agreement
  • If you are acting on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization
  • Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any updated Terms

These Terms apply to all users of our platform, including:

  • Authors: Individuals submitting manuscripts for publication
  • Reviewers: Peer reviewers evaluating submitted manuscripts
  • Editors: Editorial board members and guest editors
  • Readers: Users accessing published content
  • Subscribers: Paying customers accessing premium content
  • Conference Participants: Attendees of webinars and conferences

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms, the following definitions apply:

User

Any individual or entity that accesses or uses WiseLeaf services, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.

Content

All materials, including text, images, data, software, and other information submitted to or published through our platform.

Platform

WiseLeaf's website, online submission systems, databases, and all related services and technologies.

Publication

The process of making accepted manuscripts available to the public through WiseLeaf journals or other publishing channels.

Peer Review

The evaluation process where experts in the field assess submitted manuscripts for scientific merit and quality.

Intellectual Property

All copyrights, trademarks, patents, and other proprietary rights related to content and platform services.

3. Account Registration

3.1 Registration Requirements

To access certain services, you must create an account by providing:

  • Accurate and complete personal information
  • Valid email address for account verification
  • Institutional affiliation and professional credentials
  • Compliance with age and jurisdictional requirements

3.2 Account Security

Security Responsibilities

  • Password Protection: Maintain strong, unique passwords
  • Account Monitoring: Monitor account activity for unauthorized access
  • Prompt Notification: Report suspected security breaches immediately
  • Access Control: Do not share account credentials with others

3.3 Account Verification

WiseLeaf reserves the right to verify user credentials and may require:

  • Institutional email verification
  • Professional qualification documentation
  • Identity verification for high-profile submissions
  • Additional authentication for editorial roles

3.4 Account Suspension

We may suspend or terminate accounts for:

  • Providing false or misleading information
  • Violating platform policies or guidelines
  • Engaging in fraudulent or unethical behavior
  • Failure to maintain active professional status

4. Platform Services

4.1 Publishing Services

Manuscript Submission

Online submission system for research articles, reviews, and other scholarly content.

Peer Review Management

Automated reviewer assignment and review tracking system.

Editorial Workflow

Comprehensive editorial decision-making and manuscript processing tools.

Publication & Distribution

Online publication with global accessibility and indexing services.

4.2 Additional Services

  • Conference & Webinars: Educational events and professional development
  • Subscription Access: Premium content and advanced features
  • Analytics & Metrics: Publication impact and usage statistics
  • Marketing Support: Promotion of published research
  • Technical Support: Platform assistance and troubleshooting

4.3 Service Availability

Disclaimer: While we strive for continuous service availability, WiseLeaf does not guarantee uninterrupted access to our platform. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue services for maintenance, updates, or business reasons.

5. Submission & Publication

5.1 Submission Guidelines

All submissions must comply with the following requirements:

Originality & Quality

  • Original, unpublished research or scholarly work
  • Not simultaneously submitted to other publications
  • Meets scientific and ethical standards
  • Appropriate for the target journal's scope

Format & Documentation

  • Adherence to journal formatting guidelines
  • Complete metadata and author information
  • Proper citations and references
  • Required supporting materials and data

Legal & Ethical Compliance

  • Compliance with research ethics guidelines
  • Proper permissions for copyrighted material
  • Disclosure of conflicts of interest
  • Adherence to data protection regulations

5.2 Editorial Process

Submitted manuscripts undergo the following process:

  1. Initial Screening: Editorial assessment for scope and quality
  2. Peer Review: Expert evaluation by qualified reviewers
  3. Editorial Decision: Accept, reject, or request revisions
  4. Revision Process: Author response to reviewer comments
  5. Final Decision: Acceptance or rejection based on revised submission
  6. Production: Copy editing, typesetting, and publication preparation

5.3 Publication Rights & Licenses

Open Access Options

WiseLeaf offers various publication models:

  • Gold Open Access: Immediate free access to all readers
  • Hybrid Model: Optional open access with author payment
  • Subscription Model: Access through institutional or individual subscriptions
  • Delayed Open Access: Free access after embargo period

5.4 Withdrawal & Retraction

Authors may withdraw submissions before acceptance. Published articles may be retracted for:

  • Scientific misconduct or fabricated data
  • Plagiarism or duplicate publication
  • Ethical violations or legal issues
  • Significant errors affecting conclusions

6. Intellectual Property Rights

6.1 Author Rights

Rights You Retain

  • Moral rights to be identified as the author
  • Right to create derivative works
  • Right to use content for teaching and presentations
  • Right to deposit in institutional repositories
  • Right to create new works based on the published article

6.2 License Grants

By submitting content, authors grant WiseLeaf:

  • Publication Rights: Right to publish, distribute, and display content
  • Format Rights: Right to convert content to various formats
  • Promotional Rights: Right to use content for marketing purposes
  • Preservation Rights: Right to archive and preserve content
  • Indexing Rights: Right to submit to databases and indexing services

6.3 WiseLeaf Platform Rights

WiseLeaf retains all rights to:

  • Platform software, design, and functionality
  • WiseLeaf trademarks, logos, and branding
  • Editorial and review processes
  • Database compilation and organization

6.4 Third-Party Content

Usage Requirements

When using third-party content, users must:

  • Obtain proper permissions and licenses
  • Provide accurate attribution and citations
  • Comply with fair use and copyright limitations
  • Respect open access and Creative Commons licenses

6.5 DMCA Compliance

WiseLeaf complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. To report copyright infringement:

  • Contact: dmca@wiseleafscientific.com
  • Include specific identification of copyrighted work
  • Provide contact information and authorization
  • Submit good faith statement of infringement

7. Peer Review Process

7.1 Reviewer Responsibilities

Professional Standards

  • Expertise: Provide reviews within area of competence
  • Timeliness: Complete reviews within agreed timeframes
  • Quality: Deliver thorough, constructive feedback
  • Objectivity: Maintain impartial scientific evaluation
  • Confidentiality: Protect manuscript confidentiality

7.2 Review Ethics

Peer reviewers must:

  • Declare any conflicts of interest
  • Maintain confidentiality of reviewed materials
  • Provide honest, fair, and constructive feedback
  • Respect author rights and intellectual property
  • Not use reviewed work for personal advantage

7.3 Review Types

Double-Blind Review

Author and reviewer identities are concealed from each other throughout the process.

Single-Blind Review

Reviewer identity is concealed from authors, but reviewers know author identity.

Open Review

Identities of authors and reviewers are known, promoting transparency.

Post-Publication Review

Ongoing review and discussion after publication through comments and feedback.

7.4 Editorial Decisions

Editorial decisions are based on:

  • Scientific merit and methodological rigor
  • Relevance to journal scope and readership
  • Originality and significance of findings
  • Quality of presentation and clarity
  • Compliance with ethical standards

Decision Categories

  • Accept: Manuscript accepted for publication
  • Minor Revisions: Minor changes required before acceptance
  • Major Revisions: Substantial revisions needed, re-review required
  • Reject: Manuscript not suitable for publication
  • Reject & Resubmit: Fundamental issues requiring major rework

8. Payment & Fees

8.1 Fee Structure

Submission Fees

Optional fees for manuscript processing and peer review services.

  • Standard processing: $150 USD
  • Expedited review: $300 USD
  • Premium support: $500 USD

Publication Fees

Article Processing Charges (APCs) for open access publication.

  • Standard open access: $1,500 USD
  • Premium journals: $2,500 USD
  • Special issues: $1,800 USD

Subscription Fees

Access fees for premium content and services.

  • Individual subscription: $199/year
  • Institutional access: $2,999/year
  • Student rates: 50% discount

8.2 Payment Terms

  • Due Date: Fees payable upon acceptance notification
  • Payment Methods: Credit card, bank transfer, institutional billing
  • Currency: All fees quoted in USD unless otherwise specified
  • Tax Responsibility: Users responsible for applicable taxes

8.3 Refund Policy

Refund Conditions

  • Submission Fees: Refundable if manuscript rejected at initial screening
  • Publication Fees: Non-refundable once article is published
  • Subscription Fees: Pro-rated refunds within 30 days
  • Conference Fees: Refundable according to event policies

8.4 Fee Waivers

Fee waivers may be available for:

  • Authors from low-income countries
  • Student researchers and early-career scientists
  • Charitable and non-profit organizations
  • Invited submissions and editorial content

9. User Conduct & Responsibilities

9.1 Acceptable Use

Users must use WiseLeaf services in accordance with:

  • Applicable laws and regulations
  • Academic and professional ethical standards
  • WiseLeaf policies and guidelines
  • Respectful and professional conduct norms

9.2 Prohibited Activities

Research Misconduct

  • Fabrication or falsification of data
  • Plagiarism or unauthorized copying
  • Duplicate or redundant publication
  • Ghost or guest authorship

Technical Abuse

  • Introducing malware or viruses
  • Attempting unauthorized access
  • Disrupting platform operations
  • Reverse engineering software

Content Violations

  • Submitting inappropriate or offensive content
  • Publishing false or misleading information
  • Violating intellectual property rights
  • Distributing confidential information

Account Misuse

  • Creating false or misleading profiles
  • Impersonating other individuals
  • Sharing account credentials
  • Circumventing access restrictions

9.3 Enforcement Actions

Violations may result in:

  • Warning: Written notification of policy violation
  • Content Removal: Deletion of violating materials
  • Account Suspension: Temporary restriction of access
  • Account Termination: Permanent ban from platform
  • Legal Action: Referral to law enforcement if necessary

10. Content Standards & Guidelines

10.1 Scientific Integrity

Research Standards

  • Methodology: Appropriate research design and methods
  • Data Quality: Accurate and reliable data collection
  • Analysis: Sound statistical and analytical approaches
  • Interpretation: Objective discussion of results and limitations
  • Reproducibility: Sufficient detail for replication

10.2 Ethical Compliance

All content must comply with:

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals
  • Animal care and use committee guidelines
  • International research ethics standards
  • Data protection and privacy regulations
  • Conflict of interest disclosure requirements

10.3 Quality Assurance

Content Review

Multi-stage quality assessment including editorial screening and peer review.

Language Standards

Professional editing services and language improvement support.

Impact Assessment

Evaluation of significance and potential impact within the field.

10.4 Content Correction

Post-publication corrections may be issued for:

  • Erratum: Author errors requiring correction
  • Corrigendum: Publisher errors needing rectification
  • Retraction: Serious issues requiring article withdrawal
  • Expression of Concern: Investigations of potential problems

11. Data Security & Confidentiality

11.1 Security Measures

WiseLeaf implements comprehensive security protocols:

  • Encryption: End-to-end encryption for data transmission
  • Access Controls: Role-based permissions and authentication
  • Monitoring: Continuous security monitoring and threat detection
  • Backup Systems: Regular data backup and disaster recovery

11.2 Confidentiality Obligations

Protected Information

  • Unpublished manuscripts and research data
  • Peer review reports and editorial communications
  • User personal and professional information
  • Proprietary platform technologies and processes

11.3 Data Breach Response

In the event of a security incident, WiseLeaf will:

  1. Immediately assess and contain the breach
  2. Notify affected users within 72 hours
  3. Provide detailed incident information
  4. Implement additional security measures
  5. Cooperate with regulatory investigations

11.4 User Security Responsibilities

  • Maintain secure passwords and account credentials
  • Report suspicious activities immediately
  • Comply with institutional security policies
  • Protect sensitive research data and materials

12. Disclaimers & Warranties

12.1 Service Disclaimers

WiseLeaf services are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

12.2 Specific Disclaimers

  • Content Accuracy: No guarantee of accuracy or completeness of published content
  • Service Availability: No warranty of uninterrupted or error-free service
  • Third-Party Content: No responsibility for external links or third-party content
  • Technical Performance: No guarantee of platform performance or compatibility

12.3 Medical and Professional Advice

Important Notice

Content published on WiseLeaf is for informational purposes only and does not constitute:

  • Medical, legal, or professional advice
  • Recommendations for specific treatments
  • Endorsement of particular products or services
  • Substitutes for professional consultation

12.4 Limitation Period

Any claims against WiseLeaf must be brought within one (1) year after the cause of action arose, except where prohibited by law.

13. Limitation of Liability

13.1 Exclusion of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WISELEAF SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

  • Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
  • Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
  • Personal injury or property damage
  • Damages exceeding fees paid to WiseLeaf

13.2 Maximum Liability

WiseLeaf's total liability for all claims shall not exceed the greater of:

  • $1,000 USD, or
  • Amounts paid by the user in the 12 months preceding the claim

13.3 Force Majeure

WiseLeaf is not liable for delays or failures due to:

  • Natural disasters or extreme weather events
  • War, terrorism, or civil unrest
  • Government regulations or court orders
  • Internet outages or infrastructure failures
  • Pandemics or public health emergencies

13.4 User Acknowledgment

By using WiseLeaf services, users acknowledge that these limitations are reasonable and necessary for platform operation.

14. Indemnification

14.1 User Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless WiseLeaf from claims arising from:

  • User's violation of these Terms
  • User's content or submissions
  • User's violation of third-party rights
  • User's negligent or wrongful conduct

14.2 Scope of Indemnification

Protected Parties

Indemnification extends to WiseLeaf and its:

  • Officers, directors, and employees
  • Affiliates and subsidiaries
  • Licensors and service providers
  • Editorial board members and reviewers

14.3 Defense Obligations

Indemnification includes:

  • Legal defense costs and attorney fees
  • Court costs and litigation expenses
  • Settlement payments and judgments
  • Administrative and regulatory penalties

14.4 Notice and Control

WiseLeaf will:

  • Promptly notify users of indemnified claims
  • Allow users to control defense strategy
  • Cooperate in defense efforts
  • Provide necessary documentation and support

15. Termination

15.1 Termination by Users

Users may terminate their account at any time by:

  • Using account deletion tools in user settings
  • Contacting customer support
  • Sending written notice to WiseLeaf

15.2 Termination by WiseLeaf

WiseLeaf may terminate accounts for:

  • Violation of Terms or platform policies
  • Non-payment of fees or charges
  • Inactivity for extended periods
  • Legal or regulatory requirements
  • Business operational reasons

15.3 Effects of Termination

Access Suspension

Immediate loss of access to platform services and user content.

Data Retention

Published content remains available; personal data handled per privacy policy.

Surviving Obligations

Certain terms continue after termination, including IP rights and indemnification.

15.4 Post-Termination Rights

After termination:

  • Published articles remain in WiseLeaf archives
  • Author rights to published content are preserved
  • Outstanding financial obligations remain due
  • Legal claims and disputes continue to apply

16. Governing Law

16.1 Applicable Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

16.2 Jurisdiction

Any legal proceedings must be brought in the state or federal courts of Massachusetts. Users consent to personal jurisdiction in these courts.

16.3 Dispute Resolution

Resolution Process

  1. Direct Negotiation: Informal discussion to resolve disputes
  2. Mediation: Neutral third-party mediation if negotiation fails
  3. Arbitration: Binding arbitration under AAA Commercial Rules
  4. Litigation: Court proceedings as last resort

16.4 International Users

International users acknowledge that:

  • Services are controlled from the United States
  • Local laws may impose additional obligations
  • Users are responsible for compliance with local regulations
  • Some features may not be available in all jurisdictions

17. Amendments

17.1 Modification Rights

WiseLeaf reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes may be made for:

  • Legal or regulatory compliance
  • Business operational requirements
  • Service improvements and updates
  • Security and risk management

17.2 Notice of Changes

Notification Process

For significant changes, WiseLeaf will:

  • Email registered users 30 days before effective date
  • Post prominent website notifications
  • Update the "Last Modified" date
  • Maintain archive of previous versions

17.3 Acceptance of Changes

Continued use of services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of modified Terms.

17.4 Rejection of Changes

Users who disagree with changes may:

  • Discontinue use of services
  • Terminate their account
  • Contact WiseLeaf to discuss concerns

18. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms or WiseLeaf services, please contact:

Legal Department

WiseLeaf Scientific Ventures
Legal and Compliance Team

  • legal@wiseleafscientific.com
  • +1 (617) 555-0124
  • 245 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142

General Inquiries

Customer Support
Terms and Policy Questions

  • support@wiseleafscientific.com
  • +1 (617) 555-0123
  • Response within 24-48 hours

Copyright Issues

DMCA Agent
Copyright and IP Concerns

  • dmca@wiseleafscientific.com
  • +1 (617) 555-0199
  • Include detailed infringement information

Terms Acceptance

By using WiseLeaf services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. These Terms represent the complete agreement between you and WiseLeaf Scientific Ventures regarding use of our services.

Effective Date: January 15, 2025

Version: 2.1