Table of Contents
- 1. Acceptance of Terms
- 2. Definitions
- 3. Account Registration
- 4. Platform Services
- 5. Submission & Publication
- 6. Intellectual Property Rights
- 7. Peer Review Process
- 8. Payment & Fees
- 9. User Conduct & Responsibilities
- 10. Content Standards & Guidelines
- 11. Data Security & Confidentiality
- 12. Disclaimers & Warranties
- 13. Limitation of Liability
- 14. Indemnification
- 15. Termination
- 16. Governing Law
- 17. Amendments
- 18. Contact Information
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.
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:
- Initial Screening: Editorial assessment for scope and quality
- Peer Review: Expert evaluation by qualified reviewers
- Editorial Decision: Accept, reject, or request revisions
- Revision Process: Author response to reviewer comments
- Final Decision: Acceptance or rejection based on revised submission
- 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.
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
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:
- Immediately assess and contain the breach
- Notify affected users within 72 hours
- Provide detailed incident information
- Implement additional security measures
- 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
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
- Direct Negotiation: Informal discussion to resolve disputes
- Mediation: Neutral third-party mediation if negotiation fails
- Arbitration: Binding arbitration under AAA Commercial Rules
- 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