1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing and using IBD Movement (“we,” “our,” “us,” or “the Website”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to any part of these terms, you may not use our Website.

IBD Movement is an educational resource about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This Website provides information, articles, research summaries, and community discussion to support the IBD community.

2. Use License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use IBD Movement for personal, non-commercial purposes only. You agree not to:

• Use the Website for any illegal activity or to violate any laws
• Reproduce, republish, or redistribute our content without written permission
• Use automated bots or scrapers to harvest content from the Website
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or hack the Website
• Upload malware, viruses, or harmful code
• Impersonate another person, entity, or healthcare professional
• Harass, abuse, threaten, or harm other users or contributors
• Violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law

3. Medical Disclaimer

⚠️ IMPORTANT MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided on IBD Movement is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is NOT intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

YOU MUST:

• Always seek the advice of your physician, gastroenterologist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your medical condition, symptoms, or treatment
• NEVER disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this Website
• NEVER stop, start, or change any prescribed medications, treatments, or therapies without consulting your healthcare provider first
• Always consult your doctor before trying new supplements, diets, or lifestyle changes

Critical Information:

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IS A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION that requires ongoing professional medical supervision and treatment. IBD can cause serious complications and requires individualized medical care.

This Website does NOT provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. We do not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, treatments, medications, supplements, or other information mentioned on the Website.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services (911) immediately. Do not rely on information from this Website in an emergency situation.

Individual Results Vary:

IBD affects each person differently. What works for one person may not work for another. Treatment decisions should be made with your healthcare team based on your individual medical history, symptoms, and needs.

4. Content Ownership & Intellectual Property

Our Content

All articles, research summaries, blog posts, images, graphics, designs, logos, and other content created by IBD Movement remain our exclusive property and are protected by United States and international copyright laws.

You may:

• Read and share articles for personal, non-commercial purposes
• Link to our articles with proper attribution
• Quote brief excerpts (up to 200 words) with attribution and a link back to the original source
• Share articles on social media using standard sharing buttons

You may NOT:

• Republish our articles in full on other websites, blogs, or publications
• Use our content for commercial purposes without written permission
• Remove, alter, or obscure copyright notices, author attribution, or source links
• Claim our content as your own
• Create derivative works without permission

User-Generated Content (Comments, Submissions)

If you submit comments, questions, feedback, or other content to IBD Movement:

• You retain ownership of your content
• You grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, moderate, edit, and use your content on the Website and in promotional materials
• You represent and warrant that you have the right to post the content and that it does not violate any third-party rights
• You agree not to post copyrighted material, trademarks, or proprietary information without permission
• You agree not to provide medical advice unless you are a licensed, credentialed healthcare professional and clearly identify yourself as such

We reserve the right to moderate, edit, or remove any user-generated content that:

• Violates these Terms of Service
• Contains inappropriate, offensive, or harmful material
• Provides dangerous or misleading medical advice
• Harasses or attacks other users
• Contains spam, advertising, or excessive self-promotion
• Violates applicable laws or third-party rights

5. Research Summaries & Content Accuracy

Content Accuracy

We strive to provide accurate, evidence-based, up-to-date information about inflammatory bowel disease. However:

• Medical knowledge evolves rapidly. Information may become outdated as new research emerges.
• Research summaries reflect our interpretation and analysis, not definitive medical guidance or recommendations.
• We provide links to original sources (research studies, medical journals, news articles) for verification and additional context.
• Information should not be relied upon as the sole basis for medical decisions. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Research Summaries

When we reference research studies, clinical trials, news articles, or other sources:

• We provide proper attribution and links to original sources whenever possible
• Our summaries, commentary, and analysis represent our interpretation of the research
• Original sources should always be consulted for complete context, methodology, and conclusions
• We are not responsible for changes, retractions, or updates to third-party sources after we publish
• Research findings may be preliminary, limited, or not yet peer-reviewed

Medical Information Changes

Medical guidelines, treatment recommendations, and best practices change over time as new evidence emerges. We attempt to keep content current, but cannot guarantee all information reflects the most recent medical consensus.

Always verify information with your healthcare provider before making health decisions.

6. Affiliate Links & Advertising

Affiliate Marketing Disclosure

IBD Movement participates in affiliate marketing programs, including but not limited to Amazon Associates and other product/service affiliate programs. This means we may earn a small commission if you purchase products or services through affiliate links on our Website, at no additional cost to you.

Important disclosures:

• We only recommend products, services, books, or resources we believe may genuinely benefit the IBD community
• Affiliate relationships do NOT influence our editorial content, opinions, research summaries, or medical information
• We clearly disclose affiliate links where required by law and FTC guidelines
• We are not responsible for third-party products, services, quality, or customer service
• Purchasing through affiliate links supports the operation of this Website and creation of free content

Advertising

This Website displays advertisements through Google AdSense and potentially other advertising networks:

• We do not directly control which specific ads appear on the Website
• Ad revenue helps support Website operations and the creation of free educational content
• Display of advertisements does NOT constitute endorsements of advertised products or services
• We strive to maintain appropriate, relevant ad content for our audience
• We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of advertisers

For information about how advertising services collect data, see our Privacy Policy.

7. Limitation of Liability

IBD Movement is provided “AS-IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

Health & Medical Disclaimer

WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR:

• Any adverse health effects, medical complications, or health outcomes
• Medical decisions, treatment choices, or medication changes based on Website information
• Delays in seeking medical care due to reliance on Website content
• Allergic reactions, side effects, or complications from products mentioned on the Website
• Any harm resulting from following advice, suggestions, or information found on the Website

You acknowledge and agree that:

• You use information from this Website at your own risk
• IBD is a serious medical condition requiring professional medical supervision
• This Website is a supplemental educational resource only, not a replacement for medical care
• Individual results and experiences vary significantly

General Limitations

We shall NOT be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Inability to access the Website or loss of data
• Service interruptions, downtime, or technical errors
• Inaccuracies, errors, or omissions in content
• Third-party content, products, services, websites, or links
• Damages from viruses, malware, or other harmful components
• Unauthorized access to your information or systems
• Actions or omissions of third parties

Maximum Liability

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the Website is limited to the amount you paid to access the Website (which is $0 for free content).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitation of liability for consequential damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

8. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use IBD Movement responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with all applicable laws. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to:

Medical Content Restrictions:

• Do NOT provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations unless you are a licensed, credentialed healthcare professional and clearly identify yourself as such
• Do NOT recommend or discourage specific medications, treatments, or therapies
• Do NOT claim cures, guaranteed results, or miraculous healing for any product, supplement, diet, or treatment
• Do NOT discourage others from seeking professional medical care or following their doctor’s advice
• Do NOT share unverified health claims, conspiracy theories, or dangerous medical misinformation
• Do NOT recommend stopping or changing prescribed medications

Community Conduct:

• Be respectful, supportive, and compassionate toward others in the IBD community
• Do NOT harass, bully, threaten, or personally attack other users
• Do NOT share personal medical information about others without their explicit consent
• Do NOT post graphic images, disturbing content, or explicit material without appropriate warnings
• Do NOT spam, advertise products/services, or engage in excessive self-promotion
• Do NOT impersonate others, including healthcare professionals or IBD Movement staff

Content Guidelines:

• Do NOT post copyrighted material, trademarks, or proprietary content without permission
• Do NOT spread false information, hoaxes, or intentionally misleading content
• Do NOT post illegal content or encourage illegal activity
• Do NOT violate others’ privacy or share personal identifying information without consent
• Do NOT post content that violates applicable laws or regulations

Enforcement: We reserve the right to remove content, issue warnings, temporarily suspend, or permanently ban users who violate these policies. Violations may be reported to appropriate authorities if illegal activity is suspected.

9. Third-Party Links & Services

IBD Movement contains links to third-party websites, products, services, research studies, medical resources, and other external content. These links are provided for your convenience and informational purposes only.

No Responsibility for Third Parties

We are NOT responsible for:

• The content, accuracy, or reliability of third-party websites
• Privacy practices or data collection by third-party sites
• Products, services, or quality provided by third parties
• Availability or functionality of external links
• Any harm, loss, or damages from third-party interactions

Third-party websites have their own terms of service and privacy policies. We encourage you to review them before providing any personal information or making purchases.

No Endorsement

Links to third-party websites, products, or services do NOT constitute endorsements unless explicitly stated. We link to external resources for educational purposes and to provide access to original research sources.

Third-Party Services We Use

This Website uses third-party services for functionality and analytics:

• Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis and user behavior insights
• Google AdSense: Advertisement serving and revenue generation
• WordPress: Content management platform and website hosting
• WPConsent: Cookie consent management

See our Privacy Policy for detailed information about third-party data collection and use.

10. Comments & Community Guidelines

If we enable comments on articles, the following policies apply:

Allowed Comments:

• Sharing personal IBD experiences, perspectives, and stories
• Asking questions about article content or IBD topics
• Providing constructive, supportive feedback
• Sharing relevant resources with proper disclosure (especially affiliate links)
• Offering encouragement and support to others

Prohibited Comments:

• Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations (unless from credentialed professionals)
• Harassment, bullying, personal attacks, or inflammatory remarks
• Spam, advertising, or excessive promotional content
• Graphic descriptions or images without appropriate warnings
• Dangerous health claims or misinformation
• Violations of others’ privacy or confidentiality
• Hate speech, discrimination, or offensive language
• Off-topic or irrelevant content

Moderation Policy

We reserve the right to:

• Moderate, edit, or delete comments at our discretion
• Require comment approval before publication
• Close comments on specific articles
• Ban users who repeatedly violate community guidelines
• Report illegal activity or threats to appropriate authorities

Important: We are not responsible for user-generated content in comments. Comments represent the views of individual users, not IBD Movement. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy of user comments.

11. Copyright Infringement (DMCA)

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect users to do the same.

If you believe your copyrighted work has been infringed on our Website, please send a DMCA takedown notice to our designated agent with the following information:

1. Description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed
2. Description of where the infringing material is located on our Website (specific URL)
3. Your contact information (name, address, telephone number, email address)
4. A statement that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law
5. A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner
6. Your physical or electronic signature

Send DMCA notices to: [contact@ibdmovement.com]

We will promptly investigate valid copyright infringement claims and remove or disable access to infringing material as required by law.

Counter-Notice

If you believe material you posted was removed in error, you may file a DMCA counter-notice with the same information listed above, plus a statement consenting to jurisdiction in your local federal district court.

12. No Professional Relationship

Use of this Website does NOT create any professional relationship between you and IBD Movement, its owners, contributors, or affiliated healthcare professionals.

Specifically, no relationship is created including but not limited to:

• Doctor-patient relationship
• Healthcare provider-patient relationship
• Gastroenterologist-patient relationship
• Nurse-patient relationship
• Nutritionist-client relationship
• Dietitian-client relationship
• Counselor-client relationship
• Therapist-patient relationship
• Attorney-client relationship

This Website is an educational resource and community platform only. Professional medical care requires an established relationship with a licensed healthcare provider who has personally examined you, reviewed your complete medical history, and understands your individual health needs.

Information provided through comments, articles, or other Website features does not constitute professional medical advice and should not be treated as such.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless IBD Movement, its owners, operators, contributors, affiliates, employees, agents, and partners from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees and legal costs) arising from or related to:

• Your use or misuse of the Website
• Your violation of these Terms of Service
• Your violation of any laws, regulations, or third-party rights
• Content you submit, post, or transmit through the Website
• Your reliance on information from the Website
• Medical decisions, treatment choices, or health outcomes influenced by Website content
• Your interactions with other users or third parties through the Website
• Your use of third-party products, services, or websites linked from our Website

This indemnification obligation will survive termination of your use of the Website and these Terms of Service.

14. Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to the Website, in whole or in part, at our sole discretion, without notice, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms of Service or our community guidelines
• Illegal activity or suspected fraudulent behavior
• Abuse of the Website or other users
• Posting harmful, dangerous, or misleading medical information
• Harassing or threatening other users or contributors
• Posing a security, legal, or reputational risk to IBD Movement
• At your request (you may stop using the Website at any time)

Upon termination:

• You must immediately cease all use of the Website
• Your right to access the Website is revoked
• We may delete any content you submitted (comments, posts, etc.)
• Provisions of these Terms of Service that should reasonably survive termination will remain in effect (including indemnification, disclaimers, and limitations of liability)

Termination does not limit any other rights or remedies available to us under these Terms of Service or applicable law.

15. Changes to Terms of Service

We reserve the right to modify, update, or replace these Terms of Service at any time, at our sole discretion.

Notice of changes:

• Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Website
• We will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page
• We may notify users of significant changes through:
  • A prominent notice or banner on the Website
  • Email notification (if you’ve subscribed to our newsletter)
  • Social media announcements

Your responsibility: It is your responsibility to review these Terms of Service periodically for changes. Continued use of the Website after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms of Service.

If you do not agree to the updated terms, you must stop using the Website immediately.

16. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Colorado, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles. You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of courts located in Jefferson County, Colorado for resolution of any disputes.

Dispute Resolution Process

In the event of any dispute, controversy, or claim arising from or relating to these Terms of Service or your use of the Website, the parties agree to the following resolution process:

1. Informal Negotiation: The parties will first attempt to resolve the dispute through good faith negotiation for a period of 30 days.
2. Mediation: If negotiation fails, the parties agree to attempt mediation before pursuing arbitration or litigation.
3. Binding Arbitration: If mediation is unsuccessful, any remaining disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
4. Small Claims Court: Either party may bring an action in small claims court if the claim qualifies under applicable jurisdictional limits.

Class Action Waiver

You agree to waive the right to participate in class-action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration against IBD Movement. Any disputes must be brought in your individual capacity, not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding.

Exceptions

Nothing in this section shall prevent either party from seeking injunctive or equitable relief in court to prevent actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of intellectual property rights or confidential information.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms of Service is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed severable from these Terms of Service and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

The unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its original intent, or if modification is not possible, it shall be eliminated.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and IBD Movement regarding your use of the Website.

These terms supersede and replace any prior agreements, understandings, or communications (whether oral or written) regarding the subject matter herein.

No waiver of any term or condition shall be deemed a continuing waiver of such term or any other term. Our failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

19. Assignment

You may not assign, transfer, or delegate your rights or obligations under these Terms of Service without our prior written consent.

We may assign, transfer, or delegate our rights and obligations under these Terms of Service to any party at any time without restriction and without your consent.

20. Survival

The following provisions shall survive termination or expiration of these Terms of Service:

• Medical Disclaimer
• Content Ownership & Intellectual Property
• Limitation of Liability
• Indemnification
• Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
• Any other provisions that by their nature should reasonably survive

Questions About Our Terms of Service?

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about these Terms of Service, we’re here to help!

Contact us:

• Website: ibdmovement.com/contact-us
• Email: [contact@ibdmovement.com]

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, supportive, and informative community for everyone affected by IBD.