Background

The majority of data in OpenGWAS are kindly made available for use by many organisations and consortia spanning the global community of genetics researchers.

These terms (Terms) set out the basis on which the University of Bristol, a body incorporated by Royal Charter under number RC000648 having its administrative offices at Senate House, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TH (University) agrees to provide you with access to the OpenGWAS (Platform) and through the Platform summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS Data).


Licence

The University grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable revocable licence to access and use the Platform for private or non-commercial research purposes only. If you wish to access and use the Platform for commercial research purposes, please forward your enquiry to tom.gaunt@bristol.ac.uk.


Ownership of OpenGWAS

Subject to the Licence, nothing in these Terms grants you any right to, or in, any intellectual property rights of any nature (whether existing now or in the future and whether registered or unregistered) in the Platform.


Anti-racism

You agree to not use the data or methods in the Platform to make claims about racial superiority. You agree to strictly adhere to the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) position statement ASHG Denounces Attempts to Link Genetics and Racial Supremacy and the International Genetic Epidemiology Society Statement on Racism and Genetic Epidemiology.


Vulnerable groups

You agree to adhere to the principles articulated in the final two sections articulated by the ASHG position on Advancing Diverse Participation in Research with Special Consideration for Vulnerable Populations, namely, "In the Conduct of Research with Vulnerable Populations, Researchers Must Address Concerns that Participation May Lead to Group Harm" and "The Benefits of Research Participation Are Profound, Yet the Potential Danger that Unethical Application of Genetics Might Stigmatize, Discriminate against, or Persecute Vulnerable Populations Persists."


Credits

You agree to cite any use of the Platform in the form set out in the “About” page. You further agree to observe and comply with any notice requiring you to cite the original source of any GWAS Data in your analyses in the form set out in such notice.


Usage

You agree that you will not attempt to download GWAS Data in bulk through API queries or otherwise use the Platform in a way that would or might adversely affect the performance or operation of the Platform for other users.


Identification of data subjects

You agree not to use, combine, manipulate or transform the GWAS Data in any way that would or might enable you to identify any living individual to which the GWAS Data relates, in breach of data protection laws anywhere in the world.


Disclaimers

We do not guarantee that (a) the Platform or any GWAS Data will always be available or interrupted; (b) the Platform or any GWAS Data will be accurate, complete, free from errors or omissions or secure or free from bugs or viruses; or (c) that the result of using the Platform or any GWAS Data will be accurate, adequate or fit for any particular purpose. Where the Platform contains links to other sites or resources provided by third parties, these links are provided for your information only and you acknowledge that we have no control over the content of those sites or resources. All warranties, representations, conditions and all other terms of any kind whatsoever implied by statute or common law, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable, law, excluding from these Terms.


Limitation of liability

You assume sole responsibility for the results obtained from the use of the Platform and any GWAS Data and for conclusions drawn from such use. The University shall have no liability for any damage or other loss whatsoever arising out of or in connection with your use of the Platform or any GWAS Data. The University shall not be liable in any circumstances whether in contract, tort (including for negligence), misrepresentation (whether innocent or negligent), restitution or otherwise for any special, indirect or consequential loss, costs, damages, charges or expenses however arising under these Terms including but not limited to loss of funding or loss of opportunity, goodwill or reputation. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability which cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.


Suspension and termination

The University may, at its sole discretion, suspend, withdraw, discontinue or change all or any part of the Platform (in respect of any single user, group of users or all users of the Platform) without notice and whether or not arising from any breach of these Terms. The University will not be liable to you in such circumstances.


Changes to these Terms

The University may revise these Terms at any time by amending this page. Please check this page from time to time to take notice of any changes, as they will be legally binding on you.


Governing law and jurisdiction

These Terms and any claims or disputes arising out of or in connection with them (including non-contractual disputes) shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales whose courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle the same.