Terms of Service
Effective Date: May 15, 2018
Welcome to Cognitive Class! Please read these Terms of Service (“TOS”) and the Cognitive Class Privacy Policy and Honor Code prior to registering or using any portion of the Cognitive Class website (the “Site,” which consists of all content and pages located within this web domain), including accessing any course material, discussion forums, or other electronic services. These TOS, the Privacy Policy and the Honor Code are agreements (the “Agreements”) between you and Cognitive Class. By using the Site, you accept and agree to be legally bound by the Agreements, whether or not you are a registered user. If you do not understand or do not wish to be bound by the terms of the Agreements, you should not use the Site.
Cognitive Class reserves the right to modify these TOS at any time without advance notice. Any changes to these TOS will be effective immediately upon posting on this page, with an updated effective date. By accessing the Site after any changes have been made, you signify your agreement on a prospective basis to the modified TOS and all of the changes. Be sure to return to this page periodically to ensure familiarity with the most current version of these TOS.
DESCRIPTION OF Cognitive Class
Cognitive Class is designed primarily as an educational resource. It is not intended to provide inclusive information. Cognitive Class offers online courses that include opportunities for professor-to-student and student-to-student interactivity, individual assessment of a student’s work and, for students who demonstrate their mastery of subjects, a certificate of completion, a badge, or other acknowledgment.
RULES FOR ONLINE CONDUCT
You agree that you are responsible for your own use of the Site and for your User Postings. “User Postings” include all content submitted, posted, published or distributed on the Site by you or other users of the Site, including but not limited to all forum posts, wiki edits, notes, questions, comments, videos and file uploads. You agree that you will use the Site in compliance with these TOS, the Honor Code and all applicable local, state, national and international laws, rules and regulations, including copyright laws, any laws regarding the transmission of technical data exported from your country of residence, and all Canada and United States export control laws.
As a condition of your use of the Cognitive Class services, you will not use the Site in any manner intended to damage, disable, overburden or impair any Cognitive Class server or the network(s) connected to any Cognitive Class server or to interfere with any other party’s use and enjoyment of the Site. You may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site, other accounts, computer systems or networks connected to any Cognitive Class server through hacking, password mining or any other means. You may not obtain or attempt to obtain any materials or information stored on the Site, its servers or associated computers through any means not intentionally made available through the Site.
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF ITEMS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON THE SITE:
- Content that defames, harasses or threatens others;
- Content that discusses illegal activities with the intent to commit them;
- Content that infringes another’s intellectual property, including, but not limited to, copyrights or trademarks;
- Profane, pornographic, obscene, indecent or unlawful content;
- Advertising or any form of commercial solicitation;
- Content related to partisan political activities;
- Viruses, trojan horses, worms, time bombs, corrupted files, malware, spyware or any other similar software that may damage the operation of another’s computer or property; and
- Content that contains intentionally inaccurate information or that is posted with the intent of misleading others.
Furthermore, you agree not to scrape, or otherwise download in bulk, any Site content, including but not limited to a list or directory of users on the system, on-line textbooks, User Postings or user information. You agree not to misrepresent or attempt to misrepresent your identity while using the Site (although you are welcome and encouraged to use an anonymous username in the forums and to act in a manner that keeps your identity concealed).
USER ACCOUNTS AND AUTHORITY
In order to participate fully in Site activities, you must provide your name, an email address and a user password in order to create a user account (“User Account”). You agree that you will never divulge or share access or access information for your User Account with any third party for any reason. In setting up your User Account, you may be prompted to enter additional optional information (e.g., your address). You represent that all information provided by you is accurate and current. You agree to maintain and update your information to keep it accurate and current.
We care about the confidentiality and security of your personal information. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about what information about you Cognitive Class collects and how Cognitive Class uses that information.
YOUR RIGHT TO USE CONTENT ON THE SITE
Unless indicated as being in the public domain, the content on the Site is protected by United States and foreign copyright laws. Unless otherwise expressly stated on the Site, the texts, exams, video, images and other instructional materials provided with the courses offered on this Site are for your personal use in connection with those courses only.
Certain reference documents, digital textbooks, articles and other information on the Site are used with the permission of third parties, and use of that information is subject to certain rules and conditions, which will be posted along with the information. By using this Site you agree to abide by all such rules and conditions.
You agree to retain all copyright and other notices on any content you obtain from the Site. All rights in the Site and its content, if not expressly granted, are reserved.
USER POSTINGS
User Postings Representations and Warranties. By submitting or distributing your User Postings, you affirm, represent and warrant (1) that you have the necessary rights, licenses, consents and/or permissions to reproduce and publish the User Postings and to authorize Cognitive Class and its users to reproduce, modify, publish and otherwise use and distribute your User Postings in a manner consistent with the licenses granted by you below, and (2) that neither your submission of your User Postings nor the exercise of the licenses granted below will infringe or violate the rights of any third party. You, and not Cognitive Class, are solely responsible for your User Postings and the consequences of posting or publishing them.
License Grant to Cognitive Class . By submitting or distributing your User Postings, you hereby grant to Cognitive Class a worldwide, non-exclusive, transferable, assignable, sub licensable, fully paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to host, transfer, display, perform, reproduce, modify, distribute, re-distribute, relicense and otherwise use, make available and exploit your User Postings, in whole or in part, in any form and in any media formats and through any media channels (now known or hereafter developed).
License Grant to Cognitive Class Users. By submitting or distributing your User Postings, you hereby grant to each user of the Site a non-exclusive license to access and use your User Postings in connection with their use of the Site for their own personal purposes.
COMPLETION CERTIFICATES, ETC.
Generally, Cognitive Class and the other institutions providing courses on the Site (collectively, the “Members”) may offer a certificate of completion or other acknowledgment (a “Certificate”) for students who, in their judgment, have satisfactorily demonstrated mastery of the course material. Certificates will be issued by Cognitive Class under the name of the underlying Member from where the course originated, i.e. LightBend, RefinePro, etc. The decision whether a Certificate will be awarded to a given student will be solely within the discretion of the awarding Member. Cognitive Class and/or the Members providing courses on the Site may choose not to offer a Certificate for some courses.
TRADEMARKS
Use of Cognitive Class, IBM, and Member Names, Trademarks and Service Marks. The “Cognitive Class ” name, logos and seals are trademarks (“Trademarks”) of the respective entities. IBM®, the IBM logo, and ibm.com® are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. A current list of IBM trademarks is available on the Web at “Copyright and trademark information” at: ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml. References to IBM products or services do not imply that IBM intends to make them available in all countries in which IBM operates. Netezza®, Netezza Performance Server®, NPS® are trademarks or registered trademarks of IBM International Group B.V., an IBM Company. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and the Windows logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries. Other product, company or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.
You may not use any of these Trademarks, or any variations thereof, without the owner’s prior written consent. You may not use any of these Trademarks, or any variations thereof, for promotional purposes, or in any way that deliberately or inadvertently claims, suggests or, in these institutions’ sole judgment, gives the appearance or impression of a relationship with or endorsement by these institutions.
All Trademarks not owned by Cognitive Class or the Members that appear on the Site or on or through the services made available on or through the Site, if any, are the property of their respective owners.
Nothing contained on the Site should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel or otherwise, any license or right to use any Trademark displayed on the Site without the written permission of the owner of the applicable Trademark.
DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTY / LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITIES
THE SITE AND ANY INFORMATION, CONTENT OR SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE ON OR THROUGH THE SITE ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND (EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE), INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, EXCEPT INSOFAR AS ANY SUCH IMPLIED WARRANTIES MAY NOT BE DISCLAIMED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.
Cognitive Class AND THE Cognitive Class PARTICIPANTS (AS HERINAFTER DEFINED) DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL OPERATE IN AN UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE MANNER, THAT THE SITE IS FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS, OR THAT THE COURSES OR CONTENT PROVIDED WILL MEET YOUR NEEDS OR EXPECTATIONS. Cognitive Class AND THE Cognitive Class PARTICIPANTS ALSO MAKE NO WARRANTY ABOUT THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, OR QUALITY OF THE SITE OR ANY COURSES OR CONTENT, OR THAT ANY PARTICULAR COURSES OR CONTENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE. “Cognitive Class PARTICIPANTS” MEANS IBM, THE OTHER MEMBERS, THE ENTITIES PROVIDING INFORMATION, CONTENT OR SERVICES FOR THE SITE, THE COURSE INSTRUCTORS AND THEIR STAFFS.
USE OF THE SITE, AND THE CONTENT AND SERVICES OBTAINED FROM OR THROUGH THE SITE, IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOUR ACCESS TO OR DOWNLOAD OF INFORMATION, MATERIALS OR DATA THROUGH THE SITE OR ANY REFERENCE SITES IS AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK, AND YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR PROPERTY (INCLUDING YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM) OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OR USE OF SUCH MATERIAL OR DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE Cognitive Class PRIVACY POLICY.
User Postings Disclaimer. You understand that when using the Site you will be exposed to User Postings from a variety of sources and that neither Cognitive Class nor the Cognitive Class Participants are responsible for the accuracy, usefulness, reliability or intellectual property rights of or relating to such User Postings. You further understand and acknowledge that you may be exposed to User Postings that are inaccurate, offensive, defamatory, indecent or objectionable and you agree to waive, and hereby do waive, any legal or equitable rights or remedies you have or may have against Cognitive Class or any of the Cognitive Class Participants with respect thereto. Neither Cognitive Class nor any of the Cognitive Class endorse any User Postings or any opinion, recommendation or advice expressed therein. Neither Cognitive Class nor any of the Cognitive Class Participants have any obligation to monitor any User Postings or any other user communications through the Site.
However, Cognitive Class reserves the right to review User Postings and to exercise its sole discretion to edit or remove, in whole or in part, any User Posting at any time and for any reason, or to allow the Cognitive Class Participants to do so. Without limiting the foregoing, upon receiving notice from a user or a content owner that a User Posting allegedly does not conform to these TOS, Cognitive Class may investigate the allegation and determine in its sole discretion whether to remove the User Posting, which it reserves the right to do at any time and without notice.
Links to Other Sites. The Site may include hyperlinks to sites maintained or controlled by others. Cognitive Class and the Cognitive Class Participants are not responsible for and do not routinely screen, approve, review or endorse the contents of or use of any of the products or services that may be offered at these sites. If you decide to access linked third-party websites, you do so at your own risk.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU AGREE THAT NEITHER Cognitive Class NOR ANY OF THE Cognitive Class PARTICIPANTS WILL BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGES, EITHER ACTUAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OF SERVICE, OR YOUR (OR ANY THIRD PARTY’S) USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITE, OR YOUR PLACEMENT OF CONTENT ON THE SITE, OR YOUR RELIANCE UPON INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM OR THROUGH THE SITE, WHETHER YOUR CLAIM IS BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STATUTORY OR OTHER LAW.
IN PARTICULAR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER Cognitive Class NOR ANY OF THE Cognitive Class PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, WHETHER FORESEEABLE OR UNFORESEEABLE AND WHETHER OR NOT Cognitive Class OR ANY OF THE Cognitive Class PARTICIPANTS HAS BEEN NEGLIGENT OR OTHERWISE AT FAULT (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS FOR DEFAMATION, ERRORS, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR INTERRUPTION IN AVAILABILITY OF DATA).
CERTAIN STATE LAWS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY TO YOU, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS, EXCLUSIONS, OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.
INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to defend, hold harmless and indemnify Cognitive Class and the Cognitive Class Participants, and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, faculty, students, fellows, governing board members, agents and employees from and against any third-party claims, actions or demands arising out of, resulting from or in any way related to your use of the Site, including any liability or expense arising from any and all claims, losses, damages (actual and consequential), suits, judgments, litigation costs and attorneys’ fees, of every kind and nature. In such a case, Cognitive Class or one of the Cognitive Class Participants will provide you with written notice of such claim, suit or action.
MISCELLANEOUS
Termination Rights; Discontinuation of Courses and Content. You agree that Cognitive Class, in its sole discretion, may terminate your use of the Site or your participation in it, for any reason or no reason, upon notice to you. It is Cognitive Class ‘s policy to terminate in appropriate circumstances the accounts of users of the Site who are repeat copyright infringers. Cognitive Class and the Cognitive Class Participants reserve the right at any time in their sole discretion to cancel, delay, reschedule or alter the format of any course offered through Cognitive Class, or to cease providing any part or all of the Site content or related services, and you agree that neither Cognitive Class nor any of the Cognitive Class Participants will have any liability to you for such an action. If you no longer desire to participate in the Site, you may terminate your participation at any time. The rights granted to you hereunder will terminate upon any termination of your right to use the Site, but the other provisions of these TOS will survive any such termination.
Entire Agreement. These TOS, the Honor Code, and the Privacy Policy together constitute the entire agreement between you and Cognitive Class with respect to your use of the Site, superseding any prior agreements between you and Cognitive Class regarding your use of the Site.
Waiver and Severability of TOS. The failure of Cognitive Class to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these TOS shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provision of these TOS is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties nevertheless agree that the court should endeavor to give effect to the parties’ intentions as reflected in the provision and the other provisions of these TOS shall remain in full force and effect.
Choice of Law/Forum Selection. You agree that these TOS and any claim or dispute arising out of or relating to these TOS or any content or service obtained from or through the Site will be governed by the laws of the province of Ontario in Canada, excluding its conflicts of law provisions. You agree that all such claims and disputes will be heard and resolved exclusively in the federal or provincial courts located in and serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts over you for this purpose, and you waive and agree not to assert any objection to such proceedings in those courts (including any defense or objection of lack of proper jurisdiction or venue or inconvenience of forum).
Honor Code Pledge
COLLABORATION POLICY
By enrolling in a course on Cognitive Class, you are joining a special worldwide community of learners. The aspiration of Cognitive Class is to provide anyone with an internet connection access to courses from the industry’s best institutions in the world and to provide our learners the best educational experience internet technology enables. You are a part of the community that will help Cognitive Class achieve this goal. Cognitive Class depends upon your motivation to learn the material and to do so with honesty and academic integrity. In order to participate in Cognitive Class, you must agree to the Honor Code below and any additional terms specific to a class. This Honor Code, and any additional terms, will be posted on each class website.
Cognitive Class depends upon your motivation to learn the material and to do so with honesty. In order to participate in Cognitive Class, you must agree to the Honor Code below and any additional terms specific to a class. This Honor Code, and any additional terms, will be posted on each class website.
COGNITIVE CLASS HONOR CODE PLEDGE
By enrolling in a Cognitive Class course, I agree that I will:
- Complete all exams, review questions, and assignments on my own, unless collaboration on an assignment is explicitly permitted.
- Maintain only one user account and not let anyone else use my username and/or password.
- Not engage in any activity that would dishonestly improve my results, or improve or hurt the results of others.
- Not post answers to problems that are being used to assess student performance.
VIOLATIONS
If you are found in violation of the Terms of Service or Honor Code, you may be subject to one or more of the following actions:
- Receiving a zero or no credit for an assignment;
- Having any certificate earned in the course withheld or revoked;
- Being unenrolled from a course; or
- Termination of your use of the Site.
- Additional actions may be taken at the sole discretion of Cognitive Class and Cognitive Class Member course providers.
Honor code violations will be determined at the sole discretion of Cognitive Class Members. You will be notified if a determination has been made that you have violated this honor code and you will be informed of the corresponding action to be taken as a result of the violation.
CHANGING THE HONOR CODE
Please note that we review and may make changes to this Honor Code from time to time. Any changes to this Honor Code will be effective immediately upon posting on this page, with an updated effective date. By accessing the Site after any changes have been made, you signify your agreement on a prospective basis to the modified Honor Code and any changes contained therein. Be sure to return to this page periodically to ensure familiarity with the most current version of this Honor Code.
SEE ALSO
You should also consult our Privacy Policy.