Copyright & Acceptable Use Policy

1. Introduction

This Copyright & Acceptable Use Policy applies to all users, members, visitors and subscribers accessing the Association of Lymphoedema Practitioners (ALP) website, member portal, educational resources, downloads, training materials, forums and related services.

By using this Website, users agree to comply with this Policy.

2. Copyright Ownership

Unless otherwise stated, all content available on this Website is owned by or licensed to ALP and is protected by copyright, trademark and intellectual property laws.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Clinical resources
• Educational materials
• Training courses
• Downloadable documents
• Policies and procedures
• Templates and forms
• Clinical pathways
• Videos and webinars
• Graphics, photographs and illustrations
• Website content and design
• Databases and resource libraries

All rights are reserved.

3. Permitted Use

Current members may access, download and use resources solely for:

• Personal professional development
• Clinical reference
• Use within their own practice or organisation
• Patient care support
• Internal staff training within their own organisation

Resources may be adapted where necessary for use within a member's own clinical setting, provided the original copyright notices remain intact.

4. Prohibited Use

Users must not:

• Share member-only content with non-members.
• Distribute resources outside their organisation.
• Upload ALP resources to other websites, social media platforms or file-sharing services.
• Sell, licence or commercially exploit ALP materials.
• Remove copyright notices, branding or ownership information.
• Copy substantial portions of content into publications, courses, books or websites.
• Reproduce training materials for external teaching without written permission.
• Permit non-members to access member-only resources using their account.

Unauthorised reproduction or distribution of ALP materials may result in suspension or termination of membership and may lead to legal action.

5. Member Login Security

Membership accounts are personal and non-transferable.

Members must:

• Keep login credentials confidential.
• Use only their own account.
• Notify ALP immediately if unauthorised access is suspected.

Sharing login credentials with colleagues, employers, students or third parties is strictly prohibited.

6. Acceptable Use of the Website

Users agree to use the Website responsibly and lawfully.

Users must not:

• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Website.
• Circumvent security measures.
• Upload malicious software, viruses or harmful code.
• Interfere with Website operation or performance.
• Use automated tools to scrape, harvest or download content.
• Impersonate another user or organisation.
• Use the Website in a manner that may damage ALP's reputation.

7. Forums and Community Areas

Where discussion forums, comments or community areas are provided, users must:

• Be respectful and professional.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Avoid posting identifiable patient information.
• Refrain from abusive, discriminatory, defamatory or offensive content.
• Avoid advertising products or services without permission.

ALP reserves the right to remove content that breaches these requirements.

8. Patient Confidentiality

Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Patient-identifiable information must never be uploaded, shared or disclosed through the Website, forums or community areas.

9. Monitoring and Enforcement

ALP reserves the right to monitor Website usage and investigate suspected breaches of this Policy.

Where misuse is identified, ALP may:

• Issue warnings.
• Suspend access to resources.
• Terminate membership.
• Remove content.
• Take legal action where appropriate.

10. Reporting Copyright Infringement

If you believe ALP content has been copied, distributed or used without permission, please contact ALP with details of the suspected infringement.

ALP will investigate all legitimate reports and take appropriate action where necessary.

11. Changes to this Policy

ALP reserves the right to update this Copyright & Acceptable Use Policy at any time.

The latest version will always be published on the Website.

Continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance of any revised Policy.

Contact

For questions regarding copyright, permissions or acceptable use, please contact ALP using the contact details published on the Website.