Terms of Use

This website provides information regarding ERA’s work, including but not limited to:

• Advocacy and policy initiatives
• Research, publications, and analytical outputs
• Events, trainings, and activities
• Regional cooperation and partnerships

All content is provided strictly for informational, educational, and non-commercial purposes.

Nothing on this website constitutes legal, political, or professional advice, nor should it be interpreted as such.

These Terms apply to all users, regardless of location or method of access.

ERA reserves the right to impose additional terms for specific services, tools, or sections of the website. In case of conflict, such specific terms shall prevail.

You agree to use the website in compliance with applicable laws and in a manner consistent with its intended purpose.

You expressly agree not to:

• Use the website for unlawful, harmful, fraudulent, or misleading purposes
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems, servers, or data
• Circumvent, disable, or interfere with security-related features
• Introduce malicious code, including viruses, scripts, or automated exploits
• Engage in data mining, scraping, harvesting, or automated extraction of content without prior written consent
• Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the website
• Use content in a way that misrepresents ERA’s positions, activities, partnerships, or funding
• Use the website or its content to harass, defame, or harm ERA, its partners, or third parties

All content available on this website constitutes the intellectual property of ERA-LGBTI Equal Rights Association for the Western Balkans and Türkiye (“ERA”), unless otherwise stated, and is protected under applicable intellectual property laws, including copyright and unfair competition principles, as well as relevant EU legal frameworks.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Text, publications, reports, and written content
• Logos, trademarks, and branding elements
• Visual identity systems (including typography, color schemes, layout structures, and design logic)
• Campaign visuals, social media content, and communication materials
• Infographics, illustrations, and visual storytelling formats
• Event materials, promotional assets, and digital content
• Designed publications (including layout, composition, and structure)
• Databases, website structure, and overall design

4.1 Protection of Visual Identity

ERA’s visual identity constitutes a distinct and protected system.

Users are strictly prohibited from:

• Reproducing, imitating, or creating derivative works based on ERA’s visual identity
• Using similar or adapted visual elements that may create confusion or imply association with ERA
• Using ERA’s branding, design systems, or stylistic elements in a way that suggests endorsement, partnership, or affiliation
• Using ERA visual identity in political, commercial, or advocacy contexts without explicit written authorization

4.2 Use of Visual Materials and Designed Content

All visual materials produced by ERA are protected intellectual property.

Users are strictly prohibited from:

• Reusing, republishing, or redistributing ERA visual materials, in whole or in part, without prior written permission
• Editing, adapting, translating, or modifying visual materials in any form
• Using ERA visuals within other projects, campaigns, or communications not led or explicitly approved by ERA
• Removing, altering, or obscuring logos, branding elements, or disclaimers
• Extracting or reusing individual elements (e.g. layouts, icons, illustrations, templates) for independent use

4.3 Permitted Use (Limited Exception)

Limited use of ERA content is permitted only where all of the following conditions are met:

• The material is shared in its original, unmodified form
• ERA is clearly and visibly credited as the source
• All disclaimers (including EU funding disclaimers, where applicable) are retained in full
• No implication of endorsement, partnership, or affiliation is created

Any other use requires prior written authorization.

4.4 Prohibition of Misuse and Context Distortion

ERA content must not be used in a manner that:

• Alters its meaning, intent, or context
• Selectively extracts or reframes content to mislead or manipulate interpretation
• Creates confusion regarding authorship, ownership, or responsibility

4.5 Enforcement

Any unauthorized use of ERA’s intellectual property, including visual identity and materials, may constitute:

• Copyright infringement
• Misrepresentation
• Unfair competition

ERA reserves the right to:

• Request immediate removal of infringing content
• Issue formal notices
• Publicly clarify misuse
• Pursue legal action where necessary

ERA actively monitors the use of its materials and visual identity.

4.6 Interpretation Clause

The absence of an explicit restriction on a specific use shall not be interpreted as permission.

Users may access and download content solely for personal, educational, and non-commercial use, provided that:

• ERA is clearly and visibly credited
• Content is used in its original context and meaning
• No implication of endorsement, partnership, or affiliation is created
• All disclaimers, including donor funding disclaimers, are retained in full

Where content includes references to donor-funded activities, users must not:

• Reuse donor visual identity elements (including the donor emblem) in a misleading way
• Suggest donor endorsement or funding where none exists
• Modify or remove required donor visibility elements

Use of ERA publications must respect academic and professional standards, including accurate citation and faithful representation of findings. Misuse of donor-related elements may result in removal requests and further action.

Use of this website or its content does not grant any right to:

• Present oneself as affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing ERA
• Suggest partnership, collaboration, or formal association without explicit written agreement

ERA reserves the right to publicly clarify or contest any false representation.

Where users submit content, you warrant that:

• You have the legal right to provide such content
• The content is accurate, lawful, and not misleading
• The content does not infringe intellectual property, privacy, or other rights

You grant ERA a non-exclusive, royalty-free right to process such content for operational purposes.

ERA reserves the right to:

• Remove, edit, or disregard any submitted content
• Refuse engagement or publication without justification
• Retain records where necessary for legal, administrative, or security purposes

Content from this website may be referenced publicly, including by media, provided that:

• It is quoted accurately and in full context
• ERA is clearly identified as the source
• No misleading framing or reinterpretation is introduced

ERA reserves the right to respond to or correct any public misrepresentation.

Given the political and social context of the Western Balkans and Türkiye, certain content may carry heightened sensitivity.

Users must not:

• Reproduce or distribute content that may expose individuals or organisations to risk
• Use information in a way that may endanger activists, communities, or partners

ERA reserves the right to restrict access to content where safety concerns arise.

All content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.

ERA does not guarantee that:

• Content is complete, accurate, or up to date
• The website will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free

Users assume full responsibility for any reliance placed on the content.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, ERA shall not be liable for:

• Any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Loss of data, revenue, opportunity, or reputation
• Misuse or misinterpretation of website content
• Unauthorized access, cyber incidents, or technical failures

This website may include links to third-party platforms.

ERA:

• Does not control or verify third-party content
• Does not endorse or assume responsibility for such content

Access to third-party content is at the user’s own risk.

Users must not:

• Probe, scan, or test system vulnerabilities
• Breach authentication measures
• Interfere with system operations

ERA reserves the right to take appropriate legal action in response to such activities.

Processing of personal data is governed by ERA.

Users must not misuse or unlawfully process personal data obtained through the website.

ERA reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

• Modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the website
• Update or remove content without prior notice

No guarantee is given regarding continuous availability.

ERA retains full discretion to:

• Interpret these Terms
• Determine whether a violation has occurred
• Decide on appropriate measures

Such measures may include content removal, access restriction, public clarification, or legal action.

ERA is not obligated to provide prior notice or justification for enforcement actions.

Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of rights.

These Terms are governed by applicable national legislation and relevant European Union legal frameworks.

Any disputes shall fall under the jurisdiction of competent courts as determined by ERA’s place of registration.