Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy
The Open Journal – Terms and Conditions
Effective Date: 16/6/25
Last Updated: 16/6/25
Welcome to The Open Journal. These Terms & Conditions (‘Terms’) govern your use of The Open Journal website, its content, and associated services (collectively, the ‘Platrform’) By accessing or submitting content to the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.
Submission and Use of Content
• All stories submitted to The Open Journal are provided voluntarily and may be published anonymously on the Platform and across other public-facing channels including, but not limited to social media, exhibitions, printed publications and creative installations.
• By submitting a story, you grant The Open Journal a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and sublicensable license to use, reproduce, display, publish, distribute, adapt, and translate your submission in full or in part, in any format or medium.
• You retain full copyright ownership of your story. However, by submitting, you agree that The Open Journal may use your story for public interest, academic, artistic, educational purposes or other purposes.
• You waive any moral rights to the extent legally possible, including the right to object to derogatory treatment of your submission, unless such treatment misrepresents your work.
Anonymity and Privacy
• Submissions are intended to be anonymous. We do not request or require personal data. If your submission contains identifying details (e.g., names, contact information, addresses, or details about third parties) we may redact these details or choose not to publish the story.
• If you wish to withdraw or amend your submission, you may contact us. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days, and will remove or edit your submission upon confirmation of your request.
• For legal compliance, removed submissions may be archived for record-keeping, but will no longer be publicly visible.
Content Guidelines
You agree not to submit content that:
• Contains hate speech, threats, harassment, or discrimination, including, inter alia, on the basis of race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age;
• Contains libelous, defamatory, misleading, or false statements;
• Violates any applicable laws, including intellectual property, data protection, or privacy laws;
• Contains explicit, obscene, or graphically violent material inappropriate for public audiences;
• Includes personal information about third parties, including names, contact details, photographs, or any other data that could identify another individual, without their explicit and informed consent.
We reserve the right to remove, redact, or modify any submission at any time, at our sole discretion, and without obligation to notify the contributor. Repeat or serious violations may result in a permanent ban from future submissions.
Intellectual Property and Originality
By submitting a story, you confirm that:
• It is your original creation and does not infringe on any third party’s rights;
• If your submission includes any third-party content, you have obtained permission or the content is within the public domain or permitted under applicable exceptions. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Open Journal and its affiliates from any claims or liabilities arising from a breach of these assurances.
Editorial Rights
• The Open Journal reserves the right to edit, adapt, format, and amend submissions for the
purposes of publication, display, or distribution, provided such changes do not misrepresent
or distort the core message or intent of the contributor.
• Editorial amendments may include changes to:
o Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and overall linguistic clarity;
o Tone adjustments, where required to align with the broader narrative or to ensure
accessibility;
o Formatting, for consistency across the Platform and related media;
o Redaction of identifying information, to preserve privacy, and comply with legal obligations.
• Minor edits (e.g., typographical corrections or formatting adjustments) will be made without notice.
• Substantial edits (e.g., structural changes or thematic reinterpretations) may be shared with the contributor if contact information has been voluntarily provided.
• The Open Journal may:
o Re-contextualise submissions within curated collections, exhibitions, or publications;
o Extract or combine excerpts from multiple submissions for thematic or artistic storytelling
purposes;
o Translate or adapt submissions for use across different languages, media formats, or
cultural contexts.
• All editorial decisions are made with respect for the integrity of the contributor’s
experience, and we strive to preserve the meaning and emotional truth of every story.
• Contributors acknowledge that by submitting to The Open Journal, they accept these
editorial practices and grant permission for their story to be adapted accordingly, while
maintaining anonymity.
Amendments to These Terms
• These Terms may be revised periodically. You are responsible for reviewing the current
version of the Terms prior to each submission.
• Continued use of the Platform or submitting stories after any updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
• In the event of significant changes, we may post a notice on the website or notify active
contributors where contact information has been provided.
Limitation of Liability
• The Open Journal provides the Platform on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis and makes no warranties or guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or availability of published content.
• We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your
use of the Platform, including reliance on or sharing of published stories.
• You acknowledge that contributions may include personal or emotional content and agree to engage with them respectfully and at your own discretion.
User Conduct and Community Standards
We encourage open, respectful dialogue and the free expression of thoughts and experiences.
By using the Platform, you agree to:
• Refrain from abusive, defamatory, or inflammatory language in any submission or
comment.
• Not impersonate others or falsely claim to represent any organisation.
• Respect the experiences of others and avoid dismissive or mocking commentary where
interaction is permitted (e.g., in forums or comment sections).
• Not attempt to interfere with the functioning of the Platform, including through hacking,
scraping, or distributing malware.
Violation of these standards may result in removal of content or banning of access, at our sole discretion.
Accessibility and Platform Availability
• We strive to maintain 24/7 availability of the Platform but cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation.
• Temporary unavailability due to maintenance, technical issues, or circumstances beyond our control may occur.
• We are committed to providing an inclusive experience for all users and aim to meet
accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) where possible.
If you experience accessibility issues, please contact us so we can address them where
feasible.
Third-Party Links and Content
• The Platform may include links to external websites, platforms, or resources that are not
controlled or maintained by The Open Journal.
• We do not endorse or assume responsibility for any third-party content, advertising, or
services.
• You access such third-party sites at your own risk and are subject to their own terms and
policies.
We recommend reviewing the privacy policies and terms of use of any third-party sites you
visit.
Archiving and Public Record
• Submissions to The Open Journal may be retained as part of a permanent public archive,
even if removed from public display.
• Stories that contribute to historical, cultural, or academic documentation may be stored in
offline repositories, university archives, or institutional collections, especially if the project
collaborates with public institutions.
• If you request the removal of your story, we will ensure it is excluded from future
publication and public display, but archival versions may be retained where legally justified.
If you object to long-term archival, please contact us before submission or upon removal
request.
Age Restrictions and Minor Participation
• The Platform is intended for use by individuals aged 18 years and older.
• We do not knowingly accept submissions from individuals under 18 years of age without
verified parental or guardian consent.
• If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has submitted a story without consent, please contact us immediately so we can investigate and take appropriate action. We reserve the right to delete or restrict access to content that may not be appropriate for minors or that violates age-related regulations.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
• These Terms are governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Cyprus.
• Any disputes arising in connection with these Terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Nicosia, Cyprus.
Emotional Sensitivity, Responsibility & Limitation of Liability
• The stories shared on The Opena Journal may include deeply personal or emotional content. We encourage readers to engage with care and at their own pace. Please approach every story with respect and consider your own well-being before reading or sharing.
• While we strive to create a thoughtful and respectful space, The Open Journal is not responsible of how individuals interpret, react to, or share the stories published on the platform. Use of the site is at your own discretion.