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Terms of Use:

 

Terms of Use:

 

BBC News - North America Edition does not allow the reproduction or public communication of content that it produces or commissions, so as to protect the credibility and integrity of content that it broadcasts and to ensure fulfilment of the agreements with its authors, artists and others partners. Your access to BBC News - North America Edition digital services does not give you any rights to that content.

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As Canada's newest Blog Site, BBC News - North America Edition produces content or commissions it from third parties. That content usually requires working with partners or the public and negotiating rights with media artists, news agencies, authors, musicians and performers, for the use of pictures (videos, photos, drawings) and material from third-parties; those rights are protected by law.

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To be allowed to reproduce or present certain content in public, you must first obtain a licence from BBC News - North America Edition, unless use is permitted by law or by special notice in connection with a program or interactive activity, subject to the terms and conditions stated therein.

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BBC News - North America Edition mandate is to inform, enlighten and entertain. Content provided on BBC News - North America Edition digital services is not intended to replace professional advice when required, in any field whatsoever.

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BBC News - North America Edition offers no warranty with regard to the content or operation of BBC News - North America Edition digital services and assumes no responsibility for any interruption, whether intentional or not, in putting its programming, various services and submissions from the public online. BBC News - North America Edition neither assumes responsibility for nor offers any warranty concerning the security of any communications or unauthorized interception by third parties and wireless (wifi) services in its buildings, for any damage whatsoever, regardless of its nature or value.

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Besides your responsibility for the content, your submissions to BBC News - North America Edition digital services may not, under any circumstance, have the effect of hindering or preventing other users from using BBC News - North America Edition digital services, nor modifying its operation or its effectiveness by any means whatsoever.

You may neither use BBC News - North America Edition digital services other than for private purposes, unless otherwise authorized under specific agreements with BBC News - North America Edition, nor may you use BBC News - North America Edition digital services for any illegal purpose.

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You are liable for any damage arising from not complying with these Terms of Use, or with any other law or regulation applicable to your submissions. If your submissions to BBC News - North America Edition digital services require a name and a password, you are responsible for ensuring their confidentiality.

Those of BBC News - North America Edition and the social media platforms, as the case may be. BBC News - North America Edition use of social media constitutes an extension of its digital presence. Social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) are public and not hosted on BBC News - North America Edition servers. Users who interact with BBC News - North America Edition through social media platforms must refer to the conditions of service and privacy policies of these third-party service providers.

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Personal information that you provide to BBC News - North America Edition through social media accounts is collected in order to capture conversations between you and BBC News - North America Edition. It may be used for inquiry response, statistical measurement and reporting purposes.

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BBC Legal handles legal issues affecting the BBC, with different departments dealing with different issues. 

The Programme Legal Advice department gives pre-transmission advice on the main content-related issues including defamation, privacy, contempt of court, legal rights of anonymity and all other types of reporting restrictions. Programme Legal Advice has a duty lawyer on call 24 hours a day for urgent enquiries. In addition, Programme Legal Advice keeps a list of lawyers in other jurisdictions and may be able to assist with advice on foreign law.

Advice on copyright (including fair dealing) and trade marks can be obtained from Intellectual Property. Specialist data protection advice can be obtained from Information Rights.    

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There are some significant differences between the legal systems of England and Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland which, if not observed, can cause serious problems. For advice on Scottish media law, consult the BBC Legal Director, Scotland.

While following the Editorial Guidelines will often ensure that BBC content will be legally defensible, there are situations where the law imposes specific obligations, or requires standards, that are not addressed fully in these Guidelines. It is important, therefore, that referrals to Programme Legal Advice and other legal departments are adhered to. As the law is subject to interpretation and change by the courts and by statute, content producers should, in any event, consider whether taking legal advice would be appropriate.

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Other common legal considerations are set out in this section.  

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BBC North America 

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