Terms &
Institutional Conditions
The governing legal framework for the access and utilization of the Tibetan Digital Library’s cultural archives and digital infrastructure.
Jurisdiction
Himachal Pradesh, India
Compliance
Cultural Heritage Ethics
Usage Type
Scholarly & Non-Commercial
1. Definitions
Within the scope of this legal framework, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
The digital infrastructure, websites, and databases operating under the Tibetan Digital Library (TDL) domain.
Any digitized manuscript, image, audiovisual record, or metadata hosted within the TDL repository.
Any individual or representative of an institution accessing the Platform.
Information generated through the scholarly utilization of Archival Assets.
2. Introduction
Welcome to the Tibetan Digital Library (“TDL”). These Terms and Conditions govern your access to and institutional use of our digital platform, including digitized cultural assets, research databases, and administrative inquiry systems. This platform is dedicated to the preservation and scholarly exploration of Tibetan heritage.
3. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or utilizing any section of the Platform, you explicitly acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Institutional Conditions. If you do not agree to these regulations, you must cease all use of the Platform immediately.
4. Eligibility
Access to certain archival records and advanced research modules is restricted to:
Verified students at accredited academic institutions
Accredited independent researchers and scholars
Authorized representatives of partner cultural organizations
Individuals over the age of majority in their respective jurisdiction
5. Permitted Use
The Platform is provided strictly for non-commercial, academic, and cultural preservation purposes. Permitted use includes the consulting of archival metadata, the reading of digitized texts for research, and the submission of institutional inquiries. Any use for commercial profit, unauthorized data harvesting, or non-academic distribution is strictly prohibited.
6. IP & Cultural Sensitivity
System Ownership
The TDL platform architecture, source code, institutional branding, and proprietary databases remain the exclusive intellectual property of the TDL Administrative Office.
Cultural Sensitivity Clause
Archival Assets within the TDL repository often possess profound historical and religious significance. TDL acknowledges the inherent moral rights of originating communities. Users are required to handle digitized cultural materials with appropriate respect and scholarly decorum. Unauthorized modification, satire, or disrespectful repurposing of sacred or sensitive materials is a violation of these Terms.
7. Research & Citations
Academic contributors and researchers are mandated to maintain institutional standards:
- — Maintain transparency regarding institutional credentials
- — Adhere to the Cultural Sensitivity Clause in all derivative works
- — Cite Tibetan Digital Library as the source of digitized materials
Standard Citation Format
* Citation is mandatory for all archival materials used in scholarly publications.
8. Restricted Activities
Security Breaches
Any attempt to circumvent authentication protocols or extract raw institutional data.
Unlicensed Harvesting
Use of high-frequency scripts, crawlers, or automated agents to ingest archival assets.
Commercial Hijacking
Re-distributing digitized cultural heritage items within commercial environments.
Credential Misuse
Sharing institutional login credentials or providing unauthorized third-party access.
9. Third-Party Content
The Platform may incorporate metadata or external repository links provided by partner organizations. TDL exercise no editorial control over such third-party contributions and disclaims responsibility for the operative status of linked external research hubs.
10. Disclaimer
The Tibetan Digital Library provides its services on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, TDL disclaims all warranties—whether express or implied—including the accuracy or historical completeness of specific archival records. We make no guarantee regarding the uninterrupted operability of the digital infrastructure.
11. Limitation of Liability
In no event shall the TDL Administrative Office or its institutional partners be held liable for any direct, indirect, or incidental damages arising from your engagement with the Platform, including the loss of research data or errors in digitization.
12. Force Majeure
TDL shall not be held responsible for any failure in performance resulting from causes beyond its reasonable institutional control, including natural disasters, national emergencies, or infrastructure failures affecting the Dharamshala administrative region.
13. Termination
TDL maintains the right to suspend or terminate User access at any time should a violation of these Terms occur. Termination does not relinquish the User from their ongoing obligations regarding Citations and IP rights.
14. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of **India**, specifically within the jurisdiction of the State of **Himachal Pradesh**.
Any legal proceedings shall be heard exclusively in the competent courts located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
15. Amendments
Institutional regulations are subject to periodic review. TDL reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. Continued Platform utilization constitutes binding acceptance of the updated framework.
Institutional Contact
For legal and governance inquiries.
Preserving History through Legal Excellence.