'my Conference Tool': Terms and Conditions of Use
Version as of: 2020-03-02
1. Preliminary Comments / Service Provider
On the platform 'my Conference Tool' contributions for lectures, workshops, tutorials and much more can be submitted for events of tekom and tcworld. Events include, for example, the tcworld conference. In addition, exhibitors can manage their details.
The operator of 'my Conference Tool' is tcworld GmbH, event organizer and service provider of Gesellschaft für Technische Kommunikation - tekom Deutschland e.V. and the European Association for Technical Communication - tekom Europe e.V.
2. Applicability
These Terms and Conditions are exclusively applicable for the use of 'my Conference Tool'.
3. Access
Members of tekom, tekom Europe and associated associations can log in to 'my Conference Tool' with the access data from 'my tekom'. This is also valid for registered users of 'my tekom.
Those who are neither members nor users of 'my tekom' can create a user account for 'my Conference Tool'.
4. Creating User Account
(1) To create a use account, the following data are needed:
- Salutation
- First name
- Last name
- Email address
(2) These personal data can be corrected at any time under 'my data'.
(3) The service supplier reserves the right to refuse clearance without providing justification. In such circumstances, the data provided by the prospective user will be deleted. Clearance can be refused e.g. if users fail to accept the Terms and Conditions of Use or the data protection declaration. Users are responsible for ensuring that the data they submit is correct and up to date. Users must edit their data in the event of changes. Multiple registrations and registering third parties are not permitted. Users are obligated to ensure that their passwords and usernames remain confidential.
(4) You can use the login data for 'my Conference Tool' and 'my tekom'. The Terms of Use for ˈmy tekomˈ apply to the use of 'my tekom' (see below).
5. Function of 'my Conference Tool'
The following functions are available in 'my Conference Tool':
(1) For speakers:
- Participation in Call for Papers including the managing of your contributions.
- Managing your contribution and speaker information for the conference.
(2) For exhibitors:
As administrator for exhibitors you can manage your exhibitor information. Please contact info(at)tekom.de first.
6. Call for Papers / Submit Contribution
(1) New contributions can be created under 'my contributions'. The following steps are necessary:
- Select the event for which a contribution shall be submitted.
- Enter the full details of the contribution (title, presentation type, target group structure, etc.).
- Enter personal data
You may only enter the personal data of co-speakers with their permission. - Submit the paper and also accept the conditions of participation for speakers.
(2) You can change the personal data accompanying your contribution only at certain times during the process:
- During the ongoing Call for Papers of the assigned event - before and after submission
- For the accepted contributions until the start of the event
(3) Contributions are created, submitted and managed at 'my contributions'.
- Submitted papers can be edited until the end of the Call for Papers of the assigned event.
- Accepted contributions can be edited until the event starts.
- All unsubmitted contributions can be deleted.
7. Availability
The service provider shall make every effort to ensure that 'my Conference Tool' is available at all times, but this does not guarantee that it will be constantly available. If it is known that ‘my Conference Tool’ will be unavailable for an extended period of time, the service supplier will provide relevant notification, if possible.
9. Deleting the User Account / Registered User
If you are a registered user of 'my tekom' or 'my Conference Tool', you can delete your user account at any time.
Unsubmitted contributions and submitted contributions for events with Call for Paper still running will be deleted automatically.
As soon as the Call for Paper has ended, all submitted and evaluated contributions, uploaded documents of past presentations and their rating remain stored. The conditions of participation for speakers apply.
10. Service Provider’s Copyrighted Usage Rights
The users provide the organizer with usage rights regarding the contributions and information uploaded in 'my Conference Tool'. These usage rights are non-exclusive, unrestricted regarding location, content, and time until the relevant information is deleted. The organizer is authorized to make the contributions and personal data of the speakers available to the conference advisory board.
The conditions of participation for speakers apply from the time of submission of the contribution. The user has to agree explicitly to the conditions of participation.
With the official submission of the contribution, the speaker grants tcworld GmbH (organizer) the full and irrevocable and royalty-free rights of use as defined by article 15 ff. of the German Copyright Act (§§ 15 ff. UrhG), in particular the rights of reproduction, public access and adaption (especially translations). This serves, among other things, to publish the event program, to advertise the event and to publish the presentation slides after the event. The service supplier's usage right encompasses, in particular, the right to, disseminate, and provide public access to information on the conferences websites and Social Media, as well as the right to use this information in other ways in electronic networks, , the right to publicly forward this information by means of suitable data carriers of all formats using all analog and digital technical processes, the right to process this information, and the right to use and utilize this processed information in accordance with the regulations of these Terms and Conditions. Content may also be used in abridged or excerpt form, or combined with other works. The organizer is also entitled to transfer these rights. All rights shall also benefit any legal successors of the service supplier.
'my tekom': Terms and Conditions of Use
Version as of: July 2019
1. Preliminary Comments / Service Provider
'my tekom' is an information and communication platform for experts and managers who work in the field of technical communication, information development, and related disciplines. 'my tekom' is operated by tcworld GmbH, the service provider to the Gesellschaft für Technische Kommunikation – tekom Deutschland e.V. and the European Association for Technical Communication – tekom Europe e.V.
2. Applicability
These Terms and Conditions of Use apply exclusively to the usage of 'my tekom', currently offered at the URL www.technical-communication.org/meine-tekom/my-member-page.html. Terms of use or contractual terms that deviate from or contradict these Terms and Conditions of Use shall not apply.
These Terms and Conditions of Use are available on 'my tekom', where they can be viewed, saved, and printed at any time.
3. Access
Access for use of 'my tekom' is given to members of tekom, tekom Europe and associated associations.
Moreover, any interested person can create a user account with 'my tekom' to make use of a limited offering.
4. Creating a User Account at 'my tekom'
Using 'my tekom' requires users to be fully registered (double opt-in process) and must also click a button to accept the applicability of the Terms and Conditions of Use and the data protection declaration. In addition, they must enter the following data:
- Title
- First name
- Last name
- Email address
The entry of further data is voluntary.
The service supplier reserves the right to refuse clearance without providing justification. In such circumstances, the data provided by the prospective user will be deleted. Clearance can be refused e.g. if users fail to accept the Terms and Conditions of Use or the data protection declaration. Users are responsible for ensuring that the data they submit is correct and up to date. Users must edit their data in the event of changes. Multiple registrations and registering third parties are not permitted. Users are obligated to ensure that their passwords and usernames remain confidential.
5. Availability
The service provider shall make every effort to ensure that the 'my tekom' offering is available at all times, but it does not guarantee that the offering will be constantly available. It reserves the right to block individual users, all users, or certain groups of users from accessing all or parts of the offering. If it is known that the offering will be unavailable for an extended period of time, the service supplier will provide relevant notification, if possible.
6. Users' Obligations
Users are obligated to supply truthful personal information. When creating content (texts, photos and other images, graphics, files, or links), users are obligated to observe the relevant laws and refrain from infringing on the rights of third parties. In particular, the following are not permitted:
- Posting content that makes untrue claims
- Posting content that offends or defames others
- Posting content that incites racial hatred, is pornographic in nature, or contravenes laws designed to protect minors
- Posting content that infringes the rights of third parties, in particular copyrights, trademark rights, name usage rights, patent rights, utility model rights, industrial design rights, image rights, and personal rights
- Performing actions that contravene competition laws, in particular harassing people with unwanted advertising emails and spam emails
- Posting content that promotes political parties or belief systems
- Advertising products or services outside of the areas reserved for advertisements, in particular in discussion forums and in the section reserved for expert advice
- Posting content that is subject to legal or contractual confidentiality obligations
- Posting links to other telemedia containing illegal information
Content on 'my tekom' may not be replicated, disseminated, published, be made available to the public in particular, or be utilized in any other manner that goes beyond the intended usage. This shall not apply if an instance of usage is explicitly and exceptionally permitted by law. Users are obligated to take the appropriate precautions to protect their systems' security, in particular to use browsers' common security settings, undertake regular backups, and undertake suitable protective measures to defend their systems from computer viruses and other malware.
If a user becomes aware that 'my tekom' is being used in a manner that contravenes laws or contractual terms and conditions, the service supplier would appreciate being informed of this at the following email address: info@
7. Use by interested persons with a user account
The following functions are available to you as an interested party with a user account:
- You are connected with the regional groups/country organizations of your choice, and receive information about free-of-charge events. If you are logged in, you can also register for the events with a single click. You will receive a confirmation email.
- You will see the events for which you are registered at a glance and can do the following:
- Show event details
- Download the event as an ICS file
- Cancel your event registration with a single click
- You can view events and event reports with a single click. Depending on the event, the presentation slides are also available here for download.
- You can view the data that you have provided under 'my data', and can correct this if necessary.
- Under 'my newsletter', you have direct access to newsletter management and can decide from which regional group/country organization you would like to receive invitations to events. You can also decide which newsletters you would like to receive.
8. Use of 'my tekom' with tekom-membership
As a tekom member, the following additional functions are available to you:
- Under 'my questions for the experts', you can ask our experts questions
- Under 'my job application', you can submit and search for a job request
- Under ‘my job postings’, companies can submit and search for job postings
- Under 'my service provider directory', companies and freelancers can list themselves.
- Under "Manage events", companies can set up their own events.
9. Posting in "Expert Advice"
The user undertakes to post solely information and comments relating to the topic as indicated in the section "Expert Advice". Such postings must be polite and objective. They may not contain personal attacks. Users bear sole responsibility for their postings. The service supplier, its employees, and its experts are not obligated to check postings to ensure that they are legally compliant, correct, complete, and up to date.
10. Service Supplier's Rights in the Event of Infringements
The service supplier is entitled to undertake measures it considers suitable against users in the event of infringements of laws or these Terms and Conditions of Use.
The service supplier will initially inform the user in question of the infringement, and request that he/she take remedial action and refrain from committing this infringement in the future. In the event of an infringement of the rights of a third party or serious violations, the service supplier is entitled to undertake such measures immediately without issuing a prior warning. The service supplier reserves the right to formally warn the user in question and request that he/she submit a cease-and-desist declaration, delete certain posts or content that he/she has submitted, exclude him/her from certain applications, or block him/her from the site permanently or temporarily. If a user is blocked, he/she will not be permitted to continue using 'my tekom'. The user's access details will be blocked, any posts deleted, and he/she will not be permitted to re-register.
11. Changes to 'my tekom'
The service provider has the right to limit or suspend 'my tekom', temporarily or permanently, in part or in full, and to undertake changes of any kind.
12. Service Provider's Copyrighted Usage Rights
'my tekom' comprises a database system or database protected in accordance with Articles 4, 87a, et seq. of Germany's Copyright Act (Urheberrechtsgesetz). All copyrighted usage rights and ancillary copyrights are property of the service supplier. The same applies to content and information posted by the service supplier. Users provide the service supplier with usage rights to content that they submit to 'my tekom', such as entries in the service provider directory, job searches and vacancies, events, etc., starting from the time when the relevant information is posted. Such usage rights are basic, non-exclusive, unrestricted regarding location, content, and time until the relevant information is deleted.
This does not apply to the 'Get expert advice' section. Here, users provide the service supplier with transferable usage rights that are not time-restricted for all known and unknown usage types. The service supplier's usage right encompasses, in particular, the right to replicate, disseminate, and provide public access to information in 'my tekom' and other telemedia, as well as the right to use this information in other ways in electronic networks, including internet and intranet, the right to publicly forward this information by means of suitable data carriers of all formats using all analog and digital technical processes, the right to process this information, and the right to use and utilize this processed information in accordance with the regulations of these Terms and Conditions of Use. Content may also be used in abridged or excerpt form, or combined with other works. The service supplier is also entitled to transfer these rights. All rights shall also benefit any legal successors of the service supplier.
13. User Rights
Users are entitled to replicate 'my tekom' contents for private and other personal purposes as per Article 53 of Germany's Copyright Act. Usage exceeding these conditions is permitted only within the extent of the relevant legal constraints. Replicating and disseminating content outside of 'my tekom' and beyond legal constraints is not permitted. Users may be liable for compensation in the event of copyright violations. They can expect that the service supplier will request its usual licensing fees.
The service supplier is entitled to undertake technical measures to prevent any usage that exceeds the permitted scope. Users may not undertake activities with the goal of circumventing or overriding these measures or technical precautions. The service supplier is entitled to block a user's access if he/she violates this prohibition. The service supplier reserves the right to assert further claims, in particular claims for compensation.
14. Termination of Use, Deletion, Anonymization
The user has the right to terminate use of 'my tekom' at any time. Interested persons with a user account can delete their user account under 'my data'.
As some of the member services are rendered via 'my tekom', the service supplier does not assume that the use of 'my tekom' should be terminated during membership. If a member should, however, prefer this, he or she should send an appropriate declaration to the email address info@
The service provider is entitled to terminate the user relationship in the following circumstances:
- The user is no longer a member
- The user has violated a law
- The user has contravened the Terms and Conditions of Usage, and this has not been remedied even after the provision of a warning and reasonable grace period
- The user has infringed a third party's rights
Access to 'my tekom' is then no longer possible in these circumstances, and the user's entries (e.g. in the service provider file) will be deleted.
The service supplier is entitled to continue to provide public access to posts in 'Get expert advice'. The service supplier is not obligated to delete names and references in the text.
If you would like your questions to be made anonymous, please contact info@
15. Liability for Faults and Links
Liability for defects in quality and title is precluded unless the service provider has maliciously concealed such defects.
The service supplier is not liable for direct or indirect losses, including loss of profit, that arise on account of, or through any connection with, the information held in 'my tekom'. No liability is assumed for the content or correctness of the data protection declaration of other suppliers either.
Links to third parties’ information or communication offerings published in 'my tekom' were researched and assembled with great care by the service supplier at the time that the links were set. The service supplier has no influence whatsoever over the current and future nature or contents of these offerings or of other service suppliers' information. The service supplier has no knowledge of subsequent alterations to linked information and distances itself herefrom.
16. Data Protection
tcworld is the service provider to the associations
- Gesellschaft für Technische Kommunikation – tekom Deutschland e.V. and
- European Association for Technical Communication – tekom Europe e.V.
The controller, as defined by Article 4 (7) in conjunction with Article 26 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is tcworld GmbH, together with the above-mentioned associations (“joint controllership”).
The address of their joint head office is:
Rotebühlstraße 64
70178 Stuttgart
GERMANY
info@
+49 711 65704-0
Fax +49 711 65704-99
Our joint data protection officer can be contacted at datenschutz(at)tekom.de or at our postal address to the attention of the "Data Protection Officer".
The service supplier processes the personal data of users for the provision of 'my tekom' according to the relevant statutory regulations, in particular the General Data Protection Regulation, the Telemedia Act and the German Federal Data Protection Act (new version), and according to the data protection declaration, which can be called up under the link “Data Protection Declaration”.
16. Alterations
The service supplier is entitled to alter these Terms and Conditions of Use at any time, with notification of such alterations.
18. Final Provisions
German law applies, to the exclusion of the United Nations’ Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
The place of jurisdiction is Stuttgart, if permitted and in the event that the user is a merchant, a legal entity under public law, or a special fund under public law.