The terms that govern your use of firstip.org and the content, programmes and services we offer through it. Please read them carefully; by using the website you agree to be bound by them.
Effective: 1 November 2026 · Last updated: 29 October 2026
1. Acceptance of terms
These Terms of Use form an agreement between you and Foundation for Innovative Research, Sustainable Technologies and Intellectual Property (“FIRSTIP”, “we”, “us”), a non-profit organisation registered in India, #307, Third Floor, Shalimar Square, 126/31, B.N. Road, Lalbagh, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh. If you do not agree, please do not use the website. These terms are published in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the rules made under it.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old, or use the site under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Organisations using the site must be represented by an authorised person.
3. Use of the website
You may use the website for lawful, personal, educational and non-commercial purposes. You agree not to:
- Use the site in any way that breaks applicable law or infringes others’ rights.
- Upload or transmit malware, spam or content that is defamatory, obscene, hateful or misleading.
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the site, its servers or user accounts.
- Scrape, harvest or bulk-download content or personal data without written permission.
- Impersonate FIRSTIP, its office-bearers or any other person.
4. Intellectual property
Unless stated otherwise, all text, graphics, logos, photographs, publications and the FIRSTIP Bulletin on this website are owned by or licensed to FIRSTIP and protected under the Copyright Act, 1957, the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and international treaties.
You may view, download and print pages for personal or educational use, provided you keep all copyright notices and credit “FIRSTIP, firstip.org”. Any other reproduction, adaptation or commercial use needs our prior written permission.
5. FIRSTIP name and logo
“FIRSTIP”, “FIRST IP”, the FIRSTIP logo and the membership titles FFIRSTIP and AFIRSTIP are identifiers of the organisation. They may not be used to suggest endorsement, partnership or affiliation without written consent. See our Brand Identity guidelines.
6. Content you submit
When you submit comments, articles, photographs, innovation details or other material, you confirm you have the right to do so and grant FIRSTIP a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce and publish it in connection with our non-profit objectives, with attribution where practical. We may moderate or remove submissions at our discretion.
Do not disclose unpublished inventions or confidential information through public forms or comments — public disclosure may affect your ability to obtain a patent.
7. No legal or professional advice
Information on this website about intellectual property, traditional knowledge, sustainable technologies and related law is for general awareness only. It is not legal, technical or professional advice and does not create a lawyer–client or advisory relationship. Consult a qualified professional before acting on it.
8. Membership, events and donations
Membership, fellowships, volunteering, events and donations are subject to the specific terms communicated at the time of application or registration. FIRSTIP may accept or decline applications according to its rules. Donations are voluntary and, once processed, non-refundable except in case of error; tax-benefit eligibility depends on FIRSTIP’s registration status at the time of donation.
9. Third-party links
Links to other websites are provided for convenience. FIRSTIP does not control and is not responsible for their content, availability or privacy practices.
10. Disclaimer of warranties
The website and its content are provided “as is” and “as available”. While we try to keep information accurate and current, we make no warranties, express or implied, about completeness, accuracy, reliability or fitness for a particular purpose, or that the site will be uninterrupted or error-free.
11. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, FIRSTIP, its office-bearers, members and volunteers are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss arising from your use of, or inability to use, the website or reliance on its content. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited under law.
12. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify FIRSTIP against claims, losses and expenses arising from your breach of these terms or your misuse of the website.
13. Privacy
Your use of the website is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle personal data.
14. Suspension and termination
We may suspend or restrict access to the website, or any part of it, at any time and without notice, including where we believe these terms have been breached.
15. Governing law and disputes
These terms are governed by the laws of India. Parties will first try to resolve any dispute amicably through mediation. If unresolved, the courts at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh shall have exclusive jurisdiction.
16. Changes, severability and contact
We may revise these terms from time to time; the updated version applies from the date it is posted. If any provision is found unenforceable, the rest remain in effect. Questions about these terms: info@firstip.org.