Last updated: 2025-11-12

Welcome to Trammels

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Trammels website (trammels.org) and all related services, content, and resources (collectively, the "Service"). By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. About Trammels

Trammels is a scholarly research organization dedicated to nonpartisan, evidence-based analysis of governance systems and public policy. Our mission is to advance the science of governance through rigorous research, education, and the dissemination of knowledge.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Service.

3. Educational and Research Purpose

The content provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. Our research, analysis, articles, and resources are intended to:

  • Advance scholarly understanding of governance systems
  • Provide evidence-based analysis of public policy
  • Support informed civic engagement
  • Offer resources for researchers, policymakers, and citizens

4. Not Legal, Professional, or Political Advice

Important Disclaimer: The content on this website does not constitute:

  • Legal advice or legal services
  • Professional consulting services
  • Political advocacy or endorsement
  • Personalized recommendations for specific situations

You should consult with qualified professionals (attorneys, consultants, advisors) before making decisions based on information found on our website. We are not responsible for actions taken based on our content.

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Our Content

All content on this website, including but not limited to text, articles, research papers, graphics, logos, images, templates, and software, is the property of Trammels or our licensors and is protected by United States and international copyright laws.

Copyright Notice: © 2025 Trammels. All rights reserved.

5.2 License for Educational Use

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to:

  • View and read all publicly available content on our website
  • Download and print articles and resources for personal educational use
  • Share links to our content on social media and other platforms
  • Cite and reference our research in your own work with proper attribution

5.3 Attribution Requirements

When using or referencing our content, you must:

  • Clearly attribute the work to Trammels
  • Include the author's name (if specified)
  • Provide a link back to the original content when possible
  • Not alter or misrepresent the content

Example citation:

"[Title of Article]" by [Author Name], Trammels, [Publication Date], available at [URL]

5.4 Restrictions

You may NOT:

  • Sell, license, or commercialize our content without written permission
  • Remove copyright notices or attribution
  • Claim our work as your own
  • Republish entire articles on other websites (link instead)
  • Use our content for political campaign purposes
  • Modify templates or resources and present them as Trammels materials
  • Use automated bots, scrapers, or data mining tools without express permission

5.5 Templates and Resources

Downloadable templates and policy frameworks are provided for use by government entities, organizations, and individuals. You may adapt these materials for your specific needs, but:

  • Modified versions should not be attributed to Trammels
  • You may acknowledge Trammels as the source of the original template
  • You assume all responsibility for adapted materials

6. User Conduct

When using our Service, you agree to:

  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
  • Not use the Service for any unlawful purpose
  • Not attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
  • Not interfere with or disrupt the Service
  • Not transmit viruses, malware, or harmful code
  • Not engage in data mining or scraping without permission
  • Not impersonate Trammels or our staff

Users must be at least 13 years of age to use this Service. If you are under 18, you must have parental or guardian consent.

7. User-Generated Content

If we enable features that allow you to submit content (comments, forum posts, etc.), you agree that:

  • You own or have the right to submit the content
  • Your content does not violate any laws or third-party rights
  • You grant us a license to use, display, and distribute your content
  • We may remove content that violates these Terms
  • You are solely responsible for your submissions

8. Third-Party Links and Resources

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including:

  • Government resources and databases
  • Academic institutions and research organizations
  • News sources and publications
  • Referenced materials and citations

We do not control these external sites and are not responsible for their content, privacy practices, or availability. Links do not imply endorsement. You access third-party sites at your own risk.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

Our Service is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

  • Accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of content
  • Uninterrupted or error-free service
  • Results or outcomes from using our information
  • Fitness for a particular purpose

While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Information may become outdated. Laws and policies change. Always verify critical information with authoritative sources.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Trammels, its directors, officers, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for:

  • Any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
  • Loss of profits, data, or opportunities
  • Damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Service
  • Reliance on information provided on the website
  • Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in content

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability, so these limitations may not apply to you.

11. Membership and Newsletter

By joining Trammels or subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate and current information
  • Receive periodic emails about our research and events
  • Our right to terminate membership for violations of these Terms

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. See our Privacy Policy for details on how we handle your information. We do not offer refunds for any paid memberships or events unless specified.

12. Events and Registrations

When registering for Trammels events:

  • Registration is subject to availability
  • We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule events
  • Virtual event links are for registrants only
  • Recording policies will be communicated in advance
  • You grant us permission to photograph/record events (with opt-out available)
  • Refunds, if applicable, will be processed according to the event-specific policy

13. Copyright Infringement (DMCA)

We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe content on our site infringes your copyright, please contact our designated DMCA agent:

DMCA Agent: Legal Department
Email: dmca@trammels.org
Address: Trammels, 123 Governance Lane, Washington, DC 20001

Your notice must include the information required by 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3), including:

  • A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or authorized agent
  • Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
  • Identification of the infringing material and its location on our site
  • Your contact information
  • A statement of good faith belief that the use is not authorized
  • A statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate

14. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically. If you do not agree to the modifications, you must stop using the Service.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles. You agree that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms or the Service shall be instituted exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Washington, D.C.

16. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms or your use of the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. Arbitration shall take place in Washington, D.C. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. You agree to waive any right to participate in a class action or class-wide arbitration.

17. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Trammels, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your use or misuse of the Service
  • Your submission of user-generated content
  • Any claim that your actions infringe third-party rights

18. Termination

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to terminate or suspend your access to the Service at any time, without notice, for any reason, including but not limited to violation of these Terms. Upon termination, all licenses and rights granted to you will immediately cease, and you must destroy any downloaded materials.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the original intent.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Trammels regarding the Service and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings or agreements, whether oral or written.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, you can contact us by visiting our contact page: trammels.org/contact