Terms of Use

This system ("System") is operated by the

The University of Passau is a public corporation (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts) under Bavarian law.

The OpenWebIndex-based Universal Research Retrieval System ("OURRS") is an experimental research prototype.

It is designed solely for:

• Scientific research
• Evaluation of search and retrieval technologies
• Academic experimentation
• Benchmarking and system analysis

The System is not:

• A commercial search engine
• A production service
• A consumer information service
• A legally reliable information source
• A moderated or curated content platform

No contractual entitlement to availability, accuracy, functionality, or continuity exists.

Use of the System is strictly limited to non-commercial research and evaluation purposes.

The following are prohibited:

• Commercial use of any kind
• Integration into productive systems
• Automated bulk querying without written authorization
• Any unlawful use under German, EU, or applicable foreign law
• Attempts to disrupt, manipulate, overload, reverse engineer, or interfere with the System

The operator may restrict, suspend, or terminate access at any time without notice and without stating reasons.

The System automatically retrieves and ranks publicly available web content based on data from the Open Web Index.

Search results are generated algorithmically and without prior human review.

The University of Passau does not endorse, verify, adopt, moderate, or assume responsibility for third-party content displayed in search results.

The inclusion of content in search results does not imply approval, validation, or legal assessment.

Users access and use such content entirely at their own risk.

The operator does not continuously monitor indexed or retrieved content and assumes no general obligation to proactively review or remove third-party content, except where legally mandated.

Users remain solely responsible for ensuring that accessing or using retrieved content complies with applicable law in their jurisdiction.

For scientific research and system evaluation, the System records:

• Search queries
• Click interactions
• Session-related interaction data
• Technical metadata (e.g., timestamps, browser type)
• Pseudonymized or anonymized network-derived data where technically necessary

No user accounts are required. No names, email addresses, or intentionally provided personal identifiers are collected.

Processing occurs in accordance with:

• Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR)
• Bavarian Data Protection Act (BayDSG)
• Applicable public-sector data protection requirements

Where technically feasible, anonymization or pseudonymization is applied.

Users may opt out of logging via the provided opt-out mechanism (if available).

Further details are provided in the applicable Privacy Policy, including the OpenWebIndex framework: openwebindex.eu/privacy

The System is provided "as is" and "as available".

The University of Passau makes no representations or warranties regarding:

• Accuracy or completeness of search results
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation
• System security
• Absence of malware or harmful components
• Suitability for any specific purpose
• Legal compliance of indexed content

Users bear full responsibility for verifying information obtained through the System.

Liability of the University of Passau is governed by:

• § 839 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
• Article 34 Grundgesetz (GG)
• Applicable public liability law

The University of Passau shall be liable only:

• In cases of intent (Vorsatz) or gross negligence (grobe Fahrlässigkeit)
• For damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health
• Where mandatory statutory liability applies

In cases of slight negligence, liability is limited to breaches of essential obligations (Kardinalpflichten) and to foreseeable, typical damages.

Any further liability is excluded to the maximum extent permitted by German law.

Users assume full responsibility and risk for:

• Reliance on search results
• Access to third-party content
• Consequences arising from use of retrieved information

The System does not provide legal, medical, financial, political, or professional advice.

Information retrieved may be incomplete, inaccurate, biased, or unlawful.

Users must independently verify all information before relying on it.

Software, interface design, and research components are protected by copyright and related rights.

Indexed content remains subject to third-party rights.

No license is granted beyond temporary research use.

The operator may:

• Modify or discontinue the System at any time
• Change these Terms of Use without prior notice

Continued use constitutes acceptance of updated Terms.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

For merchants or legal entities under public law, the place of jurisdiction shall be Passau, Germany.

Mandatory EU consumer protection provisions remain unaffected.