The Bridging Divides Initiative (“BDI” or the “Organization”) is a research initiative based at the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs. Welcome to your Partner account for BDI’s Political Violence Data and Analysis Dashboard (“Dashboard”). The Dashboard is designed to streamline access to conflict-related data and analysis to support collaborative efforts to mitigate political violence in the United States. By accessing the Dashboard, you (“User”)  agree to comply with Princeton University’s Patent and Copyright Policies and Intellectual Property Policies, as well as the following Terms of Use and Attribution Requirements (“Terms”).

i. Key Definitions

  • BDI Content: Data, reports, dashboards, guides, or other materials created, authored, or co-authored by BDI.
    • Partner Access Content: BDI Content made available exclusively to Authorized Users through the Dashboard (see “Authorized User”).
    • Public Access Content: BDI Content that has been publicly released and is hosted on the BDI website.
  • Third-Party Content: Content created by third parties that is hosted, linked, or referenced in the Dashboard. This content may be subject to additional licensing or terms of use agreements with the third parties.
  • Authorized User: An individual or entity who has been expressly granted access to the Dashboard by BDI and who has formally reviewed and agreed to these Terms. 
  • Unauthorized User: Any individual or entity that has not been granted access and has not agreed to these Terms. This includes individuals from within the same organization who have not formally agreed to the Terms.

1. Permissions

Authorized Users may access and use Dashboard content only in accordance with specific permissions granted to them. Access rights are non-transferable, and Authorized Users may not share their credentials with, or grant access to, any person who has not formally reviewed and agreed to these Terms.

  • BDI Public Access Content is produced as a public good and is free to use and share with attribution (see Attribution Requirements), with the exception of the prohibited uses listed below (see Restrictions).
    • Users may create derivative works based on Public Access Content, including but not limited to publications, presentations, or data analysis, with attribution. 
    • Commercial and government entities may require additional written authorization (see Restrictions & Prohibited Uses). Please contact BDI for more information.
  • BDI Partner Access Content is provided exclusively for Authorized Users and should be treated as confidential. Unless expressly authorized in writing by BDI, Partner Access Content may not be redistributed, shared publicly, or otherwise made available to Unauthorized Users.
    • Users may create derivative works based on Partner Access Content, but these products must not disclose underlying restricted data or reproduce substantial portions of Partner Access Content, and must include proper attribution to the Dashboard (see Attribution Requirements).
    • Some uses may require additional written authorization (see Restrictions & Prohibited Uses). Please contact BDI for more information.
  • Third-Party Content is made available to Authorized Users as open-source information and/or through an agreement between BDI and the original creator. This content is provided for informational purposes; other uses may be subject to additional terms and attribution requirements maintained by the original creator (see Attribution Requirements).
    • Users may be required to leave the Dashboard to access certain Third-Party Content, and will be prompted to review and accept additional terms at the point of access as applicable.

2. Restrictions

  • Users may not share, transfer, or otherwise allow any other individual to use their credentials, including other Authorized Users or individuals within their own organization who have not been formally approved by BDI and have not accepted these Terms.
    • Users are strictly prohibited from circumventing, attempting to circumvent, or assisting others in circumventing any technical, administrative, or contractual restrictions on access. This includes, but is not limited to:
      • Scraping or automated extractions of data from the Dashboard
      • Using bots or similar technology to collect or copy content
      • Bypassing or attempting to bypass login requirements
      • Accessing, attempting to access, or enabling access to any content outside the User’s authorized permissions
      • Reverse engineering, manipulating URLs, or engaging in any activity designed to gain unauthorized access to restricted content (i.e., content tagged as “Internal Only”)
  • As a non-partisan research project housed within Princeton University, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational institution, BDI is committed to the principles of conflict sensitivity and do no harm. Based on these principles, the following applications of BDI Content are restricted. 
    • Use of content by commercial entities, including resale, sublicensing, or redistribution of Content, is not permitted without BDI’s prior written consent.
    • Use of Content to train, test, develop, or improve any machine learning (ML) models, large language models (LLMs), artificial intelligence (AI) systems, or similar technologies is not permitted without BDI’s prior written consent.
    • Use of the BDI logo, Princeton University logos, or other brand markings is not permitted without BDI’s prior written consent.
    • Use of Content for political campaigning, recruiting votes, or soliciting support for candidates is strictly prohibited.
    • Use of Content to build a competing product or service is strictly prohibited.
    • Misuse of Content that misleads or misrepresents the Content or its source, including misrepresentation as the user’s own or without attribution, is strictly prohibited.
    • Misuse of Content for unlawful, fraudulent, defamatory, or discriminatory purposes, including to promote hate speech or violence, is strictly prohibited.
  • BDI Public Access Content may not be shared without attribution (see Attribution Requirements). Commercial and government entities may require additional written authorization (see Restrictions & Prohibited Uses above). Please contact BDI for more information.
  • BDI Partner Access Content may not be redistributed, shared publicly, or otherwise made available to Unauthorized Users (see Permissions).
    • Users may create derivative works based on Partner Access Content, but these products must not disclose underlying restricted data or reproduce substantial portions of Partner Access Content, and must include proper attribution to the Dashboard (see Attribution Requirements). Prohibited forms of direct reproduction or redistribution include, but are not limited to:
      • Hosting, linking, redistributing, or replicating content from Partner Access Content
      • Republishing tables, figures, screenshots, or substantial portions from Partner Access Content
    • Some uses may require additional written authorization (see Restrictions & Prohibited Uses above). Please contact BDI for more information.
  • Third-Party Content is governed exclusively by the terms of use, licensing agreements, and attribution requirements of the original creator (see Attribution Requirements). Users are solely responsible for understanding and complying with those terms.
    • Access to Third-Party Content through the Dashboard does not expand, replace, or override any restrictions imposed by the original creator.
    • BDI makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, legality, or reliability of Third-Party Content and disclaims all responsibility for its use.

3. Attribution Requirements

A. BDI Public Access Content

  • Attribution must appear in any publication, presentation, data analysis, or other product or derivative work that uses BDI Content, with a hyperlink or URL directing to the source material as applicable. For example: 
  • For any content co-authored by BDI and one or more external partners, attribution must acknowledge all parties. For example:
  • If modifications are made, such as data aggregation, transformation, or combination with other sources, these changes must be clearly indicated. 
  • Users must not attempt to circumvent or alter any metadata, labels, or copyright and attribution notices associated with BDI Content.

B. BDI Partner Access Content

  • BDI Partner Access Content is intended for the User’s direct application and use. Authorized Users may create derivative works that draw on insights, findings, or analysis derived from BDI Access Content, provided that such products do not reproduce, republish, or otherwise make the underlying Partner Access Content directly available (see Permissions).
    • If materials are derived from BDI Partner Access Content, the following conditions apply:
      • Attribution Requirement: Use of BDI Partner Access Content requires attribution to the Dashboard, unless otherwise noted. For example:
      • Description of Modifications: If BDI Partner Access Content has been aggregated, transformed, or combined with other sources, such modifications must be clearly indicated.

C. Third-Party Content

  • Third-Party Content is not owned by BDI and may be subject to additional terms of use and attribution requirements maintained by the original provider. 
  • When applicable, users must comply with the original provider's terms when using, distributing, or modifying Third-Party Content and include the provider’s required attribution.
    • Users may be required to leave the Dashboard to access certain Third-Party Content, and will be prompted to review and accept additional terms at the point of access as applicable.
  • BDI and Princeton University make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or legality of any Third-Party Content. Likewise, BDI and Princeton University have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites.

4. Intellectual Property

  • All intellectual property rights to BDI Content remain with BDI. Except as expressly provided herein, no license or right is granted to you under any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right. 
  • For materials co-authored by BDI and partner organizations or individuals, intellectual property rights are shared and agreed upon by the parties as indicated.
  • Third-Party Content remains the property of the respective third-party providers.

5. Disclaimer of Warranties

  • BDI Content is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Use is at your sole risk.

6. Limitation of Liability

  • To the maximum extent permitted by law, BDI and Princeton University shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages resulting from the use or inability to use BDI Content.

7. Content Integrity and Updates

  • BDI reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to update, modify, replace, or remove any content within the Dashboard without prior notice. For significant changes to or removals from the Dashboard, BDI will provide reasonable prior notice to Users informing them of the planned changes.
  • BDI also reserves the right, with reasonable prior notice to Users, to modify or discontinue access to portions of the Dashboard, or the Dashboard as a whole, temporarily or permanently.
  • Users acknowledge and agree that BDI shall not be liable for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Dashboard or its contents, and that BDI shall not be liable for any changes, updates, or discontinuation of Third-Party Content.

8. Acceptance

  • To use the BDI Dashboard, you must acknowledge and accept these Terms. If you do not accept these Terms you are not authorized to use the Dashboard.
  • BDI has the right to update these Terms. When changes are made, BDI will communicate them to Users and adjust the “Last Updated” date to indicate that the Terms have been updated. Users must agree to changes in the Terms before continuing to use the Dashboard.

9. Termination

  • In the event that BDI suspects or becomes aware of (i) any infringement, misappropriation, or other unauthorized use of the Dashboard; (ii) any claim that the User’s use of the Dashboard infringes, misappropriates, or otherwise violates the rights of any person or organization, including intellectual property rights, rights of privacy or publicity, or contractual rights; (iii) any claim by a third party to any right, title, or interest in or to the Dashboard, BDI will have the sole discretion to take action, such as suspension or termination of access for Users who violate these Terms, as it deems appropriate, with or without notice to the User.
  • If notified of unauthorized use of the Dashboard, Users agree to provide assistance and cooperation with BDI during any investigation or process to remediate the impact of the breach and/or otherwise address the claim. If non-compliant usage is corrected, a User’s access may be reinstated at the sole discretion of BDI.
  • In the case of repeated breaches, BDI may also suspend or revoke access from the User’s organization.
  • Upon termination, Users must destroy any copies of Content not otherwise permitted under archival or legal retention obligations.

10. Governing Law

  • These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey and the United States of America, without regard to conflict of law principles.

11. Entire Agreement

  • These Terms, together with any additional agreements executed in writing between BDI and the User, regulate access to, and use of, the Dashboard. 
  • For Third-Party Content, any terms provided by the original creator govern use, and Users are responsible for compliance.
  • BDI reserves the right to update the Terms at any time, and to suspend or revoke access from any user who violates these Terms.

12. Contact Information