Acceptable use policy; terms and conditions, copyright

We are keen to benefit from users' expertise and views. We particularly welcome contributions that offer a new viewpoint on the subject being discussed.

This page covers some basic rules regarding acceptable use fo this site, together with terms and conditions and deals with issues like copyright.

See also our Privacy policy, with some important information about registering for an account on this wiki.

Using this Wiki website

The Defra Wiki is maintained for your personal use and viewing, and for collaborative discussion of chosen topics. Access and use by you of this site constitutes acceptance by you of these Terms and Conditions that take effect from the date of first use.

Acceptable use: conduct for contributions and discussions

We encourage open, lively debate but please ensure that your use of this site conforms to the following basic ground rules. Material that significantly violates any of the following rules is liable to be removed. The decision to remove material submitted via this site remains at Defra's discretion.

We welcome all comment – provided it’s constructive, relevant and, not abusive – we ourselves will not delete material or comments that meet these requirements.

We ask users NOT to delete other users’ comments unless they are e.g. “spam” or abusive in some way.

We will normally “lock” the wiki overnight – between about 6pm and 8am UK time – to prevent editing or registering for new accounts during this period.

1. Brevity
   Try to keep your contributions short and to the point.
2. Personal identification
   Although anonymous comments will be accepted, if you choose to identify yourself, you must do so honestly - you must not represent yourself as another person.
3. Conduct and use of language
   Your contribution must not be malicious or designed to offend. Swear-words and profanity will not be accepted.
   No reference should be made to the personality of other participants nor should attacks be made on an individual's character.
4. Legal liability
   You should remember that you are legally responsible for what you write. By contributing you undertake to indemnify Defra against any liability arising from breach of confidentiality or copyright, or any obscene, defamatory, seditious, blasphemous or other actionable statement you may make.
5. Advertising, spamming and research
   No advertising or promotion is allowed except where it is for an event, publication or similar item that has direct relevance to the subject of discussion.
   Information about locating and sharing knowledge and expertise is welcomed, but within the specific discussion provided.
6. Propriety and moderation
   This is a Government website and contributions used for party political purposes will be removed.

Contacting us

If you wish to draw any possible misuse to our attention you may contact us, during working hours, as follows:

• send us an e-mail at: sdudiv@defra.gsi.gov.uk or
• write to us at Sustainable Development Unit, Defra, 4E, 9 Millbank, c/o Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
• or call us on +44 (0)20 7238 5811

Specific issues

Hyperlinking to this website

Defra encourages users to establish hypertext links to this website, and you do not have to ask permission to link directly to pages hosted on this site. However, we do not permit our pages to be loaded into frames on your site. The Defra Wiki pages must load into the user's entire window.

Hyperlinks to third party websites

Defra is not responsible for the contents or reliability of linked websites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them. Links should not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of the linked pages.

Virus protection

Information included on the Defra Wiki is likely to include contributions from many sources over whom Defra has no control. It is therefore particularly wise for you to run an effective, up to date anti-virus program on all material downloaded from, or accessed on, this site. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, disruption or damage to your data or your computer system which may occur whilst using material derived from this website.

Disclaimer

The Defra website and material relating to Government information, products and services (or to third party information, products and services), is provided 'as is', without any representation or endorsement made and without warranty of any kind whether express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, compatibility, security and accuracy.

We do not warrant that the functions contained in the material contained in this site will be uninterrupted or error free, that defects will be corrected, or that this site or the server that makes it available are free of viruses or represent the full functionality, accuracy, reliability of the materials. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damages whatsoever arising from use or loss of use of, data or profits arising out of or in connection with the use of the Defra website.

The above Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising under these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Copyright

© Crown copyright 2006
Defra-produced material featured on this website is subject to Crown copyright protection unless otherwise indicated. See Defra's copyright page for further information.

All information contributed is considered non-confidential and non-proprietary, and we reserve the right to copy, disclose, distribute, incorporate and use this information for any purpose. The outside party retains the copyright on specific materials it contributes, but agrees that Defra will have a license to use the material without payment to the outside party.