DataverseLV terms of Use
1. General Principles
1.1. These Terms of Use (hereinafter – the Terms) set out the rules for using the Latvian research data repository DataverseLV (hereinafter – the Repository). They govern the rights and obligations of all users (hereinafter – the User), meaning any person who accesses the Repository or uses its services, the access conditions, as well as the responsibility of the Repository Maintainer.
1.2. The Repository is managed by the association “Higher Education and Science Information Technology Shared Service Center” (hereinafter – the Repository Maintainer, VPC).
1.3. By using the Repository, the User fully agrees to these Terms, as well as other documents related to the use of the Repository that the Repository Maintainer has published on the website dataverse.lv.
1.4. If the User violates the Terms, the Repository Maintainer may terminate the User’s access to Repository data and services that require authorization.
1.5. Explanations of terms used in the Terms:
• Dataset — research data and accompanying documentation which, together with Metadata, form a structured unit of information for deposit in the Repository.;
• Data Steward — a research data management specialist who provides advisory support on preparing Datasets for Deposit, deposit processes, sharing, reuse, as well as data management planning and implementation.
• Data deposit — the upload of a research Dataset to the Repository with accompanying descriptive information (Metadata), access conditions, and a license for use;
• DOI — a unique digital identifier assigned to each Dataset published in the Repository, ensuring permanent access;
• MetadataPartnerorganizācija— structured information describing the content, origin, structure, and context of a Dataset, making it understandable to both humans and computer programs;
• Partner Organization — a higher education or research institution that, in cooperation with the Repository Maintainer, creates and manages one or more Repository collections;
• Access Levels — a set of permissions or restrictions intended to control access to deposited Datasets, implemented through Repository functionality (providing three levels — open, restricted, or closed access);
• Repository— a specialized digital platform for the long-term preservation, management, and provision of access to research Datasets and Metadata to promote scientific transparency and data reuse;
• Repository Collection— a thematic or institutional subdivision of the Repository’s content, managed by the respective Data Steward.
2. Repository Description
2.1. The Repository has been established as Latvia’s central research data repository to ensure secure storage, sharing, and publication of research data.
2.2. The technical solutions and content of the Repository are developed in line with Open Science and the FAIR principles.
2.3. The Repository provides the following services:
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2.3.1. Publication of Datasets, including assignment of DOIs.
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2.3.2. Long-term preservation of Datasets.
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2.3.3. Creation and maintenance of Repository collections.
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2.3.4. Long-term preservation of Metadata and harvesting them from other repositories.
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2.3.5. Integration of Metadata into other information systems, including reflection in international catalogs.
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2.3.6. Search and browsing of Datasets and Metadata.
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2.3.7. Downloading of Datasets.
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2.3.8. Downloading of Metadata.
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2.3.9. Informational and technical support on matters related to the use of the Repository.
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2.4. Additional resources are available on the Repository website (not governed by these Terms):
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2.4.1. A research data management guide providing practical information on data planning, documentation, storage, and publication.
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2.4.2. An events calendar with information on trainings, seminars, and other data management activities.
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3. User Roles
3.1. Repository services and Access Levels are provided according to roles assigned to the User:
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3.1.1. Reader — Any interested person who consults Metadata and Datasets in the Repository and may reuse them in accordance with the specified conditions.
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3.1.2. Depositor — A User who performs Dataset Deposit in the Repository, including preparation of Metadata and uploading of Datasets.
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3.1.3. Data Steward — A specialist appointed by a Partner Organization who is responsible for the content quality of the managed Repository Collection.
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3.1.4. Administrator — A specialist who manages and configures the Repository, providing User account creation and assignment of access rights to Repository functions and content.
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3.2. To perform any role in the Repository other than Reader, the User must create a User account.
3.3. A single User may be assigned multiple roles in the Repository, for example, both Data Steward and Depositor.
4. User Obligations, Rights, and Account Management Conditions
4.1. The Repository User has the following obligations:
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4.1.1. Comply with applicable laws and regulations, including copyright, personal data protection, and academic integrity principles.
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4.1.2. Comply with documents governing Repository operation and use — these Terms, the Privacy Policy, and the Data Deposit Agreement. If a Partner Organization has established additional rules for specific Datasets, Collections, or Users, comply with those as well.
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4.1.3. Provide correct citations to Repository content, indicating the DOI.
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4.1.4. Report security incidents or misconduct to the Repository Maintainer by sending a written notice to
info@vpc.lv;
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4.1.5. Maintain accurate and truthful information in the User account and update it in a timely manner.
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4.2. When using the Repository, the User has the following rights:
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4.2.1. Use the Repository free of charge to browse, download, and reuse Datasets in accordance with Metadata and license conditions.
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4.2.2. Create a User account to use authorized functions such as Deposit or Collection management.
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4.2.3. Submit complaints and appeal decisions of the Repository Maintainer in accordance with Section 5.3 of these Terms.
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4.3. The User adheres to the following User account management conditions:
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4.3.1. User account registration is possible using an email address corresponding to the relevant institution of the Collection.
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4.3.2. It is prohibited to use names of other persons or inappropriate usernames.
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4.3.3. The User is fully responsible for the security of their account and password.
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4.3.4. In case of suspected unauthorized access, the User must immediately inform the Repository Maintainer.
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4.4. The User is prohibited from performing the following actions:
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4.4.1. Perform actions that unduly load the Repository or jeopardize its operation.
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4.4.2. Attempt to circumvent access control mechanisms.
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4.4.3. Use a User account in violation of these Terms.
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5. Termination of User Access
5.1. The Repository Maintainer has the right to immediately and without notice terminate the User’s access if the Terms are violated or if there are security or legal reasons, or other justified circumstances.
5.2. A User who wishes to delete their User account informs the Repository Maintainer by sending an electronic notice to info@vpc.lv.
5.3. A User may appeal a decision to terminate access by submitting a written appeal to the Repository Maintainer within 14 (fourteen) calendar days from the date of notification of the decision. The Repository Maintainer will review the appeal and provide a response within 30 (thirty) calendar days of its receipt.
6. Obligations and Rights of the Repository Maintainer
6.1. The Repository Maintainer has the following obligations:
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6.1.1. Maintain and develop the Repository infrastructure and software, ensuring stable operation.
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6.1.2. Implement and develop functionality that ensures long-term preservation of deposited Datasets, version control, DOI assignment, and Access Level management, based on best practice principles and considering User needs.
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6.1.3. Provide informational, technical, and advisory support to Users, including on matters of Repository use, maintaining documentation and guidelines, as well as in processes of creating new Collections and depositing Datasets.
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6.1.4. Implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect data in the Repository and Users’ personal data in accordance with the Repository Privacy Policy.
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6.1.5. Provide the competent personnel necessary for sustainable operation and development of the Repository.
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6.2. The Repository Maintainer has the following rights:
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6.2.1. Aggregate Metadata and make them available in external information resources (e.g., public catalogs and search engines).
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6.2.2. Request or recommend that the Depositor make corrections to deposited content (Datasets and Metadata), for example, refine descriptions or make corrections to files to ensure quality and compliance with the FAIR principles.
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6.2.3. Disseminate User-deposited content in accordance with the access conditions and license specified in the Metadata.
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6.2.4. Remove content from the Repository if these Terms or other binding conditions published by the Repository Maintainer on dataverse.lv are violated.
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7. Limitation of Liability
7.1. The Repository Maintainer is not responsible for total or partial loss or damage of content deposited by the User, nor for any direct or indirect consequences or losses arising therefrom.
7.2. The Repository Maintainer provides no warranties and is not responsible for:
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7.2.1. The accuracy, completeness, timeliness, legality, or fitness for a particular purpose of Datasets or other content published in the Repository.
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7.2.2. Any harm, losses, or other negative consequences that the Depositor, User, or third parties may incur by using or relying on data available in the Repository.
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7.2.3. Possible violations of copyright, other intellectual property rights, or other rights or interests of third parties related to content deposited by the User. Responsibility for the legal compliance of deposited content and the provision of necessary rights lies with the Depositor.
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