FAQ: What are the main points of the MDC Terms of Use?
About downloading and using datasets
When downloading a dataset, am I getting permission to use it from Mozilla Data Collective or the Data Provider?
When you download a dataset from Mozilla Data Collective, you are entering into an agreement with the Data Provider who published the dataset. Data Providers set their own terms, licenses, and access conditions for their datasets, which Mozilla Data Collective then hosts and distributes on their behalf.
How do I know what terms and conditions apply to my use of a given dataset?
Each dataset hosted on Mozilla Data Collective specifies a specific license that applies to that particular dataset. The collective set of terms and conditions that apply to a dataset include: the license specified for that dataset, the additional restrictions or prohibited uses included on the datasheet, and the Terms of Use governing your access to and use of the Mozilla Data Collective website itself that you agreed to when creating an account. The terms and conditions applicable to all downloads from Mozilla Data Collective specifically prohibit rehosting, re-sharing, or otherwise re-distributing the datasets beyond the permissions given by the dataset license and its additional restrictions.
If the license on a dataset permits a certain use, but the additional terms on the datasheet prohibit that use, which do I have to adhere to?
The additional terms on a datasheet and the license on a dataset are considered additive. In places where there is a conflict (e.g. the license permits one thing, but the terms do not allow that use) the more restrictive of the two should be used.
Does Mozilla Data Collective guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or legality of datasets hosted on the platform?
No. Mozilla Data Collective does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or legality of datasets hosted on the platform. We may, but are not obligated to, review datasets when they are uploaded to the platform and use our discretion to vet data providers, but Mozilla Data Collective does not endorse or guarantee a particular dataset’s quality or suitability for use. You, as the downloader, remain responsible for evaluating whether a given dataset meets your needs.
Can I use automated tools, scripts, and bots to retrieve, download, or index datasets?
You may use the Mozilla Data Collective public API to access datasets hosted on MDC, provided you have created access credentials through the platform. You may not use any other tools, scripts, or automated scraping technologies to access, copy, scrape, or otherwise access a dataset from Mozilla Data Collective.
Am I allowed to mirror or host a dataset that I downloaded to make it available to my community?
No. Mirroring, re-hosting, re-distributing, or otherwise re-sharing datasets that you download from Mozilla Data Collective is prohibited beyond the permissions given by the dataset license and its additional restrictions.
What obligations do I have about managing and continuing to use data that I have downloaded from Mozilla Data Collective if I terminate my account?
If you terminate your Mozilla Data Collective account, or if Mozilla terminates your account due to violations of the terms of use, you must stop using the datasets that you downloaded. Pursuant to the terms of use applicable to the the individual datasets, you must also delete the copies that you have in your possession.
About uploading and publishing datasets
Is Mozilla Data Collective free to use?
Our platform offers free hosting of datasets to dataset providers who choose to make them available for free or without economic costs to others. In the future, we plan to charge a commission in cases where the datasets are available for a fee.
If I publish a dataset in Mozilla Data Collective, am I giving it away to Mozilla?
No, by choosing to upload and host a dataset in our platform you’re simply giving us permission to make it available to others under the license and restrictions that you establish. You retain ownership and control over the dataset and may choose to withdraw your dataset at any time.
I already publish my datasets somewhere else, can I publish them in Mozilla Data Collective too?
Dataset creators can decide if they want to host their datasets with us exclusively or not. If you elect to opt out of the exclusivity, you need to indicate that election when completing your datasheet. By doing so, you understand that we won’t be able to offer you the same level of proactive protection we provide to our exclusive datasets.
