Terms of service

1. About these terms

These terms govern access to the PlasmidAgent website, API, analysis tools and reports. PlasmidAgent is the service provider referred to as "we", "us" or "our". The person or organisation using the service is referred to as "you".

The service is intended for businesses, laboratories and professional users. If you use it for an organisation, you confirm that you have authority to accept these terms for that organisation.

2. The service

PlasmidAgent accepts supported sequence files and reference data, performs plasmid quality-control analyses, and returns results through the API or a human-readable report. Features, supported formats and limits may change as the service develops.

We may use subcontractors to provide hosting, storage, support and other parts of the service. We remain responsible for our obligations under these terms.

3. Accounts and API keys

You must provide accurate account information and keep it up to date. API keys are confidential. You are responsible for activity carried out with your keys unless you have told us promptly that a key has been lost, disclosed or compromised.

You must use reasonable security measures, restrict keys to people and systems that need them, and revoke keys that are no longer required.

4. Usage and fees

The API is metered by analysed plasmid sample. The price and any usage commitment shown when you order, or agreed in an order form, apply to your account. Fees exclude VAT and other taxes unless stated otherwise.

You must pay valid invoices by their due date. We may suspend billable features after giving reasonable notice if an undisputed amount is overdue.

5. Your data

You retain ownership of sequence files, reference data, sample identifiers and other material you submit. You give us a limited right to host, copy, process and transmit that material only as needed to provide, secure and support the service and to meet legal obligations.

You confirm that you have the rights and permissions needed to submit the material. Do not submit patient data, human genomic data or other special category personal data unless we have agreed suitable data protection terms with you in writing.

6. Acceptable use

You must not use the service to:

• break the law or another person's rights
• introduce malware or interfere with the service
• bypass access, rate, usage or security controls
• probe or test security without our written permission
• resell or provide the service to third parties unless agreed

7. Analysis results

Results depend on the files, references and metadata supplied, the selected analysis settings and the stated pipeline version. You are responsible for reviewing results and deciding whether they are fit for your scientific, manufacturing or regulatory purpose.

The service supports plasmid quality control. It is not a clinical diagnostic device and must not be used to make decisions about the diagnosis or treatment of a person.

8. Our intellectual property

We and our licensors own the service, software, documentation, branding and analysis methods, excluding your data. We give you a limited, non-exclusive and non-transferable right to use the service during your subscription or agreed access period.

If you give us feedback, we may use it without restriction or payment. We will not identify you publicly as the source without permission.

9. Confidentiality

Each party must protect the other party's confidential information, use it only for the relationship covered by these terms, and disclose it only to people who need it and are bound to protect it. This does not cover information that is public through no breach, already known lawfully, received lawfully from someone else, or developed independently.

10. Availability and changes

We aim to keep the service available, but we do not promise uninterrupted or error-free operation unless an order form includes a service level. We may perform maintenance, respond to security risks, or change features. We will give reasonable notice of a material change that reduces paid functionality where practical.

11. Suspension and termination

Either party may terminate as set out in an order form. Either party may terminate immediately if the other commits a material breach and does not remedy it within 30 days after written notice, or becomes insolvent.

We may suspend access where reasonably needed to protect the service, other customers or data, or to prevent unlawful use. On termination, your right to use the service ends. Provisions intended to continue, including payment, confidentiality, intellectual property and liability terms, remain in effect.

12. Warranties

We will provide the service with reasonable care and skill. Except as expressly stated in these terms, all warranties, conditions and other terms implied by law are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.

13. Liability

Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited.

Subject to that sentence, neither party is liable for indirect or consequential loss, or for loss of profit, revenue, business, anticipated savings or goodwill. Our total liability arising from the service in any 12-month period is limited to the fees you paid or owed for the service in that period. This cap must be reviewed before launch and may be replaced by an amount agreed in an order form.

14. General

Neither party is liable for delay caused by events outside its reasonable control. You may not assign these terms without our written consent. We may assign them as part of a reorganisation, financing or sale of the relevant business.

If a provision is unenforceable, the rest remain in effect. A delay in enforcing a right is not a waiver. These terms and any order form are the entire agreement about the service. A person who is not a party has no right to enforce these terms under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

15. Governing law and contact

These terms and any non-contractual dispute are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.

Questions and legal notices may be sent to [email protected]. Add the operator's full registered details to this section before launch.