Terms and Conditions

Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Reproducible. By accessing or using Reproducible's platform (the "Platform"), including contributing to or participating in bounty pools, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (the "Terms"). If you do not agree, you may not use the Platform. These Terms form a binding agreement between you and Reproducible, Inc. ("Reproducible," "we," "us," or "our"). Our mission is to advance scientific knowledge by incentivizing the reproducibility of research, and these Terms are designed to ensure a fair, transparent process for all participants in that mission.

Individual and Institutional Users. You may use the Platform as an individual or on behalf of an organization (such as a university, company, or research institution). If you are using the Platform or contributing funds on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms, and you agree that the term "you" in these Terms includes both you as an individual and the organization. All users must be at least 18 years old (or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction) and otherwise legally capable of entering into these Terms.

Platform Purpose and Overview

Reproducible provides an online platform where contributors can pledge funds into bounty pools that reward researchers for successfully reproducing specific scientific research results. By fostering bounty-backed challenges, we aim to encourage verification of research findings and promote robust, repeatable science. These Terms govern your use of the Platform, whether you are contributing funds, attempting to earn a bounty, or otherwise participating in our community. Additional guidelines or policies (such as our Research Assurance Standard (RAS) v0.1.0) are incorporated by reference, and using the Platform signifies your agreement to those as well.

Contributions to Bounty Pools

Contributors may allocate funds to specific bounty pools to support the verification of research results. By contributing funds, you understand and agree to the following:

• Voluntary, Non-Refundable Contributions: All contributions to bounty pools are voluntary and non-refundable. Once you contribute funds, you will not be able to withdraw or reclaim them, including in the event that no researcher claims the bounty or the research is not successfully reproduced. Please contribute only what you are comfortable spending to promote reproducible science.
• No Financial Return or Interest: Contributions are payments into to a prize pool, not investments. You receive no ownership stake, equity, or right to profits in Reproducible or any project. Contributions do not earn interest and no financial return is expected or promised. Your contribution is made in the spirit of supporting scientific integrity, not for personal financial gain.
• No Control or Influence: Once contributed, funds are under the full control and discretion of Reproducible for the purpose of managing the bounty program. As a contributor, you do not retain any decision-making authority over how the bounty is awarded or how the research is evaluated. The designation of a bounty to a particular research challenge is for initial targeting only; Reproducible reserves the right to manage and allocate funds in accordance with these Terms and our mission.
• No Fiduciary Duty; Not a Trust or Escrow: You acknowledge that Reproducible is not acting as your agent, broker, trustee, or fiduciary with respect to contributed funds. All contributions become the property of the bounty pool managed by Reproducible. We will not hold contributions in a separate trust or escrow account for your benefit. Instead, funds are pooled to incentivize reproducibility, and we will exercise our judgment in administering those funds for the bounty as described. By contributing, you relinquish any legal claim over the funds except the right to see them used toward the intended bounty or similar reproducibility initiatives per these Terms.
• Unclaimed Bounties and Fund Reallocation (5-Year Rule): Reproducible will make good-faith efforts to award bounty pools to qualified researchers who meet the criteria (see Bounty Awards and Eligibility below). However, if a specific bounty remains unawarded for a period of five (5) years from the date the bounty pool is established (or the last contribution is made, as applicable), Reproducible may, at its sole discretion, redirect or reallocate the funds in that bounty pool. Any reallocated funds will be used to further our mission of reproducible research – for example, by funding other bounty challenges, supporting verification projects, or contributing to general initiatives that bolster scientific reproducibility. We will not use unclaimed bounty funds for unrelated purposes; any redirection will be aligned with our mission. Contributors acknowledge and agree that after five years of no award, they have no right to a refund or any say in the reallocation, and Reproducible assumes no further obligation to seek the originally intended reproduction outcome.

Bounty Awards and Eligibility

Reproducible is responsible for determining when a bounty should be awarded and to whom. Eligibility rules for bounty awards are determined by us and are based on the current version of our Research Assurance Standard ("RAS") (see the RAS v0.1.0 documentation for details). This standard outlines the criteria for what constitutes a successful reproduction of a research result, ensuring a consistent and rigorous evaluation process. Key points regarding bounty awards include:

• Compliance with RAS Criteria: To be eligible for a bounty, a researcher (or research team) must document and demonstrate reproducibility of the specified experiment or study in accordance with the RAS. This includes meeting all requirements in the standard (such as data transparency, methodology, analysis verification, and any other benchmarks defined in RAS v0.1.0 or the then-current version). Reproducible may update the RAS from time to time to reflect best practices, and will apply the version current at the time of evaluation for a bounty claim.
• Platform Determination: Reproducible has sole discretion to determine whether the RAS criteria have been satisfied and whether a bounty will be awarded. All submissions or claims for a bounty will be reviewed by our team (and/or appointed independent reviewers, if applicable) to verify compliance with the standards. We may require claimants to provide additional information or undergo independent validation as part of the review.
• Announcement of Winners: If we determine that a submission successfully meets the reproducibility criteria, we will notify the winning researcher(s) and arrange for distribution of the bounty reward. We may also publicly announce the successful reproduction and the recipient of the bounty, as part of our mission to promote verified science. By participating, bounty claimants agree to allow their names and a summary of their successful reproduction to be used in such announcements (subject to our Privacy Policy).
• Finality of Decisions: All decisions by Reproducible regarding bounty awards are final and binding. This includes decisions on whether the criteria were met, who the rightful claimant is, or if no award is given. We appreciate the efforts of the community, but for the integrity of the program, no appeals or challenges to our award decisions will be permitted. In cases where no submission is deemed satisfactory by the bounty deadline (if one is set) or within a reasonable time frame, the bounty may remain unawarded (see the Unclaimed Bounties section above for how those funds may be handled).
• Changes to Criteria: If there are any changes to the RAS or specific bounty criteria after a bounty is announced, we will communicate those changes clearly on the Platform. However, we strive to avoid mid-stream changes to ensure fairness. Any updated standard will be applied fairly and consistently to all participants.

User Conduct and Use of the Platform

We expect all participants – both contributors and researchers – to use the Platform in a manner consistent with our mission and values. By using the Platform, you agree that you will:

• Provide Accurate Information: When creating an account or submitting information to Reproducible, you will provide true, accurate, and current information. If you are a bounty claimant, any data, code, or documentation you provide in support of your reproduction effort must be truthful and your own work (or properly attributed) to the best of your knowledge.
• Comply with Laws and Ethics: You will use the Platform only for lawful purposes and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. You will not engage in any fraudulent behavior, misrepresent your work, plagiarize others' work, or otherwise undermine the integrity of the research verification process. Participants are expected to adhere to high standards of research ethics and scientific conduct.
• Respect Platform Integrity: You will not attempt to interfere with the functioning of the Platform or other users' participation. This includes not attempting to hack, attack, or disrupt the website, not posting malware or malicious content, and refraining from harassing or abusing other community members. Collaboration and respectful debate are welcome; personal attacks or bad faith behavior are not.
• Follow Additional Guidelines: You agree to follow any additional rules or guidelines posted on the Platform for specific activities. For example, a particular bounty might have additional instructions or scope limitations which will be outlined in its description. Similarly, our community guidelines or help center articles (if provided) are there to ensure everyone has a constructive experience and are considered part of your obligations when using the Platform.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Platform if you violate these conduct standards or any other provision of these Terms.

No Warranties and Assumption of Risk

Reproducible is a mission-driven platform, and while we strive to maintain high quality and reliability, your use of the Platform is at your own risk. We provide the Platform and all services "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. This means that we do not guarantee:

• Outcome of Research Efforts: We make no guarantee that any particular bounty will result in a successful reproduction of research, or that any research findings will be confirmed or refuted. Contributors accept that their funds may ultimately not lead to a conclusive result. Researchers understand that even significant effort may not meet the criteria for a bounty if the original results cannot be reproduced or if documentation is insufficient.
• Platform Uptime and Accuracy: We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components. While we will do our best to correct errors and maintain security, we cannot promise the site will always be available or flawless. Any data or content you obtain through the Platform is at your discretion and risk.
• Fitness for a Particular Purpose: We make no warranty that the Platform is fit for your specific needs, or that using the Platform will directly achieve your goals (scientific, financial, or otherwise). For example, we can't promise that contributing to a bounty will definitely cause someone to reproduce that specific study, or that attempting a bounty will yield publishable research for you. There are inherent uncertainties in scientific research.

To the extent applicable laws do not allow the disclaimer of certain warranties, some of the above disclaimers may not apply to you. However, in such cases, our warranties will be limited to the minimum extent permitted by law.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Reproducible and its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, and partners will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the Platform, contributions to bounty pools, or participation in bounty challenges. This includes, without limitation, any loss of your contributions (for example, if a bounty is never awarded), lost opportunities, lost data, lost profits, or reputational harm, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total cumulative liability to any user for any claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform is limited to the greater of: (a) the total amount of funds you contributed to bounty pools through the Platform in the twelve months prior to the event giving rise to liability, and (b) one hundred U.S. dollars (USD $100). This limitation applies to all claims of every kind, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or any other legal theory, and whether or not Reproducible has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Exceptions: Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or limit liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law. Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitations may not apply to you in their entirety. In such cases, liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

You acknowledge and agree that the limitations of liability and warranty disclaimers in these Terms are fair and reasonable, and that they form an essential basis for us offering this Platform and service to you.

Force Majeure (Events Beyond Our Control)

Reproducible will not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations under these Terms if such delay or failure results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control. This includes, but is not limited to, force majeure events such as:

• Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, epidemics, pandemics, or other acts of God or nature.
• War and Civil Unrest: War, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riots, or other civil disturbances.
• Government Action: Government orders, laws, regulations, or sanctions that impact our ability to operate, or other government-imposed restrictions.
• Labor and Supply Disruptions: Strikes, labor disputes, lockouts, or failures of utilities (electricity, telecommunications, internet service providers) or transportation systems.
• Technical Failures and Cyberattacks: Unexpected technical failures, software or infrastructure crashes, cyberattacks, hacking, data breaches, or other malicious acts that impair the Platform's functionality or security despite reasonable preventative measures.

During a force majeure event, our obligations under these Terms will be suspended to the extent affected by the event. We will make reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact and resume full performance as soon as feasible. You acknowledge that these events can occur and release us from any claims or liabilities arising from such force majeure events.

Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

We encourage our community to reach out and discuss any concerns with us directly. However, if any dispute arises out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform that cannot be resolved informally, you and Reproducible agree to resolve such dispute through binding arbitration on an individual basis.

Arbitration Procedure: The arbitration will be administered by a neutral arbitration provider such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) (or a similar reputable organization) under its applicable rules (for example, the AAA's Commercial Arbitration Rules or Consumer Arbitration Rules, depending on the nature of the dispute). The arbitration will be conducted in English by a single neutral arbitrator. You agree to arbitrate in good faith in an individual capacity – this means no class actions or representative proceedings can be brought under this arbitration agreement. Each side will be responsible for its own costs and attorneys' fees, but the arbitrator may award attorneys' fees to the prevailing party if applicable law allows.

Location: The arbitration may be conducted in a location mutually agreed upon by you and Reproducible. If we cannot agree, the default location shall be in the State of Delaware, USA. At our mutual discretion, the arbitration may be conducted via telephone, video conference, or written submissions, especially if the amounts or issues are relatively small or if traveling would be burdensome to you. We aim to make the process fair and accessible.

Arbitrator's Authority: The arbitrator has the authority to resolve any dispute regarding the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this arbitration agreement (including whether a particular claim is subject to arbitration). The arbitrator can grant any remedy or relief that a court could, including individual injunctive relief, and the arbitrator's decision will be final and binding on both parties. The award rendered by the arbitrator may be confirmed and entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Exceptions: Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek relief in a court of small claims for matters within that court's jurisdiction. Additionally, either party may bring an action in a court of proper jurisdiction to seek injunctive or equitable relief to protect intellectual property rights or confidential information, even while arbitration is pending. Such actions for injunctive relief will not be deemed incompatible with the agreement to arbitrate or a waiver of the right to arbitrate.

Waiver of Jury Trial and Class Actions: By agreeing to arbitration, you and Reproducible are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class or representative action. You may only resolve disputes with us on an individual basis, and may not bring a claim as a plaintiff or class member in a class, consolidated, or representative action (nor an attorney general or private attorney general action). If this class action waiver is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this Dispute Resolution section shall be null and void, but the rest of the Terms will remain in effect.

Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or related to them or the Platform are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles. This means that the law of Delaware will apply even if you reside or contribute from elsewhere. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) does not apply to these Terms or any transactions on the Platform.

If for any reason a dispute is deemed not subject to arbitration (or if the arbitration clause is unenforceable in your jurisdiction), you agree that the dispute shall be litigated exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of Delaware. You and Reproducible each consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts, and waive any objection on the grounds of venue or inconvenient forum.

Changes to These Terms

Reproducible may update or modify these Terms from time to time, for example to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or our operational practices. If we make material changes, we will provide advance notice by posting the revised Terms on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top, or by other means such as email notification if appropriate.

It is your responsibility to review any updated Terms. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of the revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Platform and (if applicable) may request closure of your account.

For clarity, no unilateral update will retroactively alter the rights or obligations for contributions already made or disputes already arisen before the update, unless you expressly agree. However, updated Terms will govern any new contributions or participation in bounties after the effective date of the update.

Miscellaneous Provisions

• Entire Agreement: These Terms (along with any documents or policies expressly incorporated by reference, such as our Privacy Policy and the Research Assurance Standard) constitute the entire agreement between you and Reproducible regarding the Platform. They supersede all prior agreements, understandings, or representations on the same subject matter, whether oral or written. No oral or written information or advice given by any party shall create any additional obligations or warranty beyond those expressly stated in these Terms.
• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions of these Terms will remain in full force and effect. In other words, the invalid part will be cut out or narrowed, and everything else stays binding.
• No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Reproducible to be effective. If we do waive a default or breach by you, that waiver is specific to that particular instance and does not mean we waive any later defaults or breaches by you or anyone else.
• Assignment: You may not assign or transfer any of your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. Any attempt to assign without consent will be null and void. Reproducible may assign or transfer its obligations under these Terms freely to an affiliate or in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, or by operation of law or otherwise. These Terms will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each party's successors and permitted assigns.
• No Agency or Third-Party Beneficiaries: These Terms do not create any partnership, joint venture, employment, contractor, or agency relationship between you and Reproducible. You and we are independent contractors. Also, except as expressly provided in these Terms, there are no third-party beneficiaries to this agreement. That means no one else except you and Reproducible (and our successors) has any rights under these Terms.
• Headings and Language: Section headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal effect. Words like "including" shall be interpreted to mean "including without limitation." These Terms are in the English language, and if they are translated into other languages, the English version will control if there is any conflict in interpretation.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about these Terms or the Platform, please feel free to contact us. We value open communication and are dedicated to fostering a community of trust and transparency.

Contact Us: You can reach Reproducible at hello@getreproducible.com or at the mailing address listed on our website. We will do our best to respond promptly and address your inquiry.

By using the Platform or contributing to a bounty pool, you acknowledge that you have read these Terms, understand them, and agree to be legally bound by them. We thank you for being part of our effort to enhance the reproducibility of scientific research, and we appreciate your trust and collaboration in this important mission. Let's work together to make science more robust and reliable for everyone.