Web Content Display (Global) Web Content Display (Global)

Terms & conditions

GEOSS Portal - Terms of Use

The GEOSS Portal, implemented and operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) as a member of GEO (Group on Earth Observations), constitutes a single Internet access point for Users to connect to Earth Observations (data, information, knowledge, algorithms, models, services, etc.) relevant to all parts of the globe to strengthen the monitoring of the state of the Earth, to increase our understanding of Earth processes and enhance predictive capabilities that underpin sound decision-making. It allows users to discover, access and use Earth Observations via the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and facilitates the sharing of environmental data, information and knowledge collected from the large array of observing systems contributed by countries and organisations within GEO.

The GEOSS Portal is a component of the GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) and connects users via other GCI components (in particular the GEO Discovery and Access Broker), implemented and operated by other GEO-members, to the GEOSS resources registered by the GEOSS resource providers.

Access to, and use of the GEOSS Portal constitutes acceptance of the following general terms and conditions.

 

Disclaimer

Neither ESA nor any other party involved in creating, producing or delivering the GEOSS Portal Site (as well referred to as website) shall be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages arising out of Users' access to, or use of, the website. The GEOSS Portal does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the Earth Observations provided therein through the many external sources and accepts no responsibility or liability for any consequences arising from the use of these. Under no circumstances shall ESA be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of the website or Earth Observations, including, without limitation, any fault, error, omission, interruption or delay with respect thereto.

Though ESA uses the best technical standards to control its website, material on this website may inadvertently include technical inaccuracies or other errors. We should be grateful if users could notify us of any errors or inaccuracies they find. Please note that users browse and use the website at their own risk. ESA does not warrant that the functional aspects of the website will be uninterrupted or error free or that this website, or the server that makes it available, are free of viruses or other harmful components. ESA may change material on the website without prior notice.

The designations employed and the presentation of material on the map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the European Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

 

User’s obligations

By accessing and\or downloading available content at the GEOSS portal, the user shall not misuse or interfere the service of the portal.

 

Access and availability of service, links and data

The GEOSS Portal contains many links and references to third-party websites and data catalogues and might allow access to Earth Observation (and possibly other data) from different providers and sources. These are provided for the convenience and interest of users and on the part of ESA this implies neither responsibility for, nor approval of, information contained in these websites, nor for the accuracy, quality and completeness of the accessible data and metadata. ESA makes no warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, availability or content of information, text, graphics which are not under the 'geoportal.org' domain. ESA has not tested any software located on other sites and does not make any representation as to the quality, safety, reliability or suitability of such software. ESA makes no warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, availability, completeness and quality of the Earth Observation or any other data or metadata accessible through the GEOSS Portal.

 

Personal data privacy

By accessing the GEOSS Portal, certain information about users, such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, pages visited, resources accessed and controls used, software used and time spent, page that redirected you to geoportal.org may be stored on ESA servers. These will not specifically identify users and the information will be used for website traffic analysis and possibly for statistical purposes as input to improve the service only.

For registration and personalisation of portal (save resource, save search, comment) you can register providing your name, surname and e-mail address. ESA collect this data only for internal usage of user identification.

For Copernicus resources access portal collect scihub credentials. It is used only for direct access of resources and is passed only to Copernicus hub using secure connection.

If you leave the feedback with your personal information this information is collected only for contacting you only regarding raised issue. This information can be shared with GEO Secretariat and CNR-IIA for problem tracking and direct communication.  ESA however assumes no responsibility for the security of this information.

You can block collecting cookie data by setting your browser accordingly. If you decide to disable cookies through your browser, you should find that most of the website works as expected, but some functions that rely on cookies will not work properly

ESA does not sell or rent its website users' names, addresses, email addresses or other personal information but can be shared EO Secretariat and CNR-IIA for better responding to user needs and provide better search relevance.

 

Use of IP address

The IP address is a number that is automatically given to your computer when you are surfing on the Internet. Servers and 'big computers' that host web pages, automatically identify your computer through its IP number. The GEOSS Portal website may use IP addresses in order to carry out statistics. However, as IP addresses and personal identification are not linked to each other users remain anonymous.

 

Use of cookies

Cookies are pieces of information that a website transfers to an individual hard drive for record-keeping purposes; passwords are not saved in cookies. Cookies help ESA to know which pages are visited most often and helps ESA to ensure that its website responds to users' needs.
Some of these cookies are essential to make our site working. You can always delete saved cookies by visiting the advanced settings of your browser.

ESA does not use personal identification details transferred through cookies either for promotion or marketing purposes, nor will such information be shared with a third party.

 

Copyrights

The following copyright pertains to the web content of the GEOSS Portal.

Two types of web-content are identified:

  • GEOSS Resources – all data, information, knowledge, services, etc. discoverable and possibly accessible and/or usable via the GEOSS Portal
  • Other web-content – all other web content like text, images, documents, logo’s, and materials not discoverable and possibly accessible and/or usable via the website.

Regarding GEOSS Resources: ESA grants permission to users to visit the site, and to discover, possibly access and/or use GEOSS Resources respecting the terms and conditions of the respective GEOSS Resource(s) provider(s).

Regarding Other web-content: ESA grants permission to visit the site and to download and copy information, images, documents and materials as long as the appropriate credit is given. ESA does not grant the right to re-sell or re-distribute any information, documents, images or material from this web site or to compile or create derivative works from Other web-content on this web site. 

All material published on the GEOSS Portal website is protected by copyright and owned or controlled by ESA or the party credited as the provider of the content, software or other material.

Further copyright restrictions apply to material derived or received from the Group on Earth Observations (GEO).

If you believe that the existence of any element of content on this site is in violation of intellectual or industrial property rights, or for further clarification on these terms and conditions please contact ESA immediately by 
email (eohelp@esa.int)

 

Use of ESA logo

The ESA logo is owned by ESA and protected by trademarks and under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. You may not modify or create derivatives of the ESA logo. Any use, reproduction, publication, display, transmission, making available to the public or exploitation of the ESA logo requires prior written authorisation. For authorisation, please contact: corporatedesign@esa.int

 

Last  Update: November 17th, 2016