Terms of Use

1. Definitions

• "JSMS" or "Journal" refers to the Journal of Strategic Military Studies
• "Website" refers to jsms.qsogo.com and all associated domains
• "Services" includes manuscript submission, peer review, and publication services
• "User" or "You" refers to any individual accessing our website or services
• "Content" includes all text, graphics, images, data, and materials on the website
• "Submission" refers to manuscripts submitted for publication consideration

2. Acceptance and Modifications

These Terms of Use constitute a legally binding agreement between you and JSMS. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time without prior notice. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

2.1 Notification of Changes

Significant changes to these terms will be communicated through:

• Website notifications
• Email announcements to registered users
• Updated revision dates on this page

3. Academic Integrity and Publishing Standards

3.1 Author Responsibilities

• Originality: All submissions must be original work not previously published
• Attribution: Proper citation and attribution of all sources and prior work
• Authorship: All listed authors must have made substantial contributions
• Conflicts of Interest: Full disclosure of any potential conflicts
• Data Integrity: Accurate representation of research data and methodology
• Copyright Compliance: Respect for intellectual property rights

3.2 Peer Review Standards

• Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality of review materials
• Objectivity: Provide fair, unbiased, and constructive reviews
• Timeliness: Complete reviews within agreed timeframes
• Conflict Declaration: Disclose any conflicts of interest
• Professional Conduct: Maintain respectful and professional communication

4. Intellectual Property Rights

4.1 Published Content

Content Type	Rights Holder	Usage Rights
Published Articles	Authors/JSMS	Open access with attribution
Editorial Content	JSMS	All rights reserved
Website Design	JSMS	All rights reserved
User Submissions	Authors	Limited license to JSMS

4.2 Copyright and Licensing

• Author Rights: Authors retain copyright to their published works
• Publication License: Authors grant JSMS non-exclusive rights to publish and distribute
• Open Access: Published articles available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
• Commercial Use: Commercial reproduction requires explicit permission

5. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

5.1 Acceptable Use

Users agree to use our services only for lawful, academic, and professional purposes consistent with our mission.

5.2 Prohibited Activities

• Academic Misconduct: Plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or other research misconduct
• Security Violations: Attempting to breach security or access unauthorized systems
• Malicious Content: Uploading viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Harassment: Threatening, abusive, or discriminatory behavior
• Spam and Misuse: Unsolicited communications or system abuse
• Impersonation: Misrepresenting identity or institutional affiliation
• Copyright Infringement: Unauthorized use of copyrighted materials

6. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our data collection and use practices are governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these Terms of Use.

6.1 Data Security

• Implementation of industry-standard security measures
• Regular security audits and assessments
• Encrypted data transmission and storage
• Access controls and authentication systems

7. Service Availability and Limitations

7.1 Service Availability

While we strive for continuous availability, we do not guarantee uninterrupted access to our services. Maintenance, updates, and unforeseen circumstances may result in temporary service interruptions.

7.2 Content Accuracy

We endeavor to maintain accurate and current information but do not warrant the completeness or accuracy of all content on our website.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

8.1 Academic Content Disclaimer

• Published content represents authors' views, not necessarily JSMS positions
• Research findings are subject to peer review but not guaranteed for accuracy
• Users should exercise independent judgment in applying research findings
• JSMS is not responsible for consequences of content use or application

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, JSMS shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our services, including but not limited to:

• Loss of data or information
• Business interruption or lost profits
• System failures or security breaches
• Errors in published content
• Third-party actions or omissions

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless JSMS, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, or damages arising from:

• Your use of our services
• Your violation of these Terms of Use
• Your infringement of intellectual property rights
• Your submission of content to our platform

11. Termination

11.1 Termination by User

You may terminate your use of our services at any time by ceasing to access our website and services.

11.2 Termination by JSMS

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend access to our services for violations of these Terms of Use, academic misconduct, or other reasons we deem appropriate.

11.3 Effect of Termination

• Published content remains available under applicable licenses
• Ongoing editorial processes may be completed or suspended
• Data retention follows our Privacy Policy guidelines

12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with applicable international academic standards and the laws of the jurisdiction where JSMS is established. Any disputes shall be resolved through appropriate legal channels.

12.1 Dispute Resolution

We encourage resolution of disputes through:

1. Direct communication with our editorial team
2. Mediation through academic professional organizations
3. Formal arbitration if necessary
4. Legal action as a last resort

13. International Compliance

Our services comply with international academic publishing standards and applicable data protection regulations, including:

• GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation (European Union)
• CCPA: California Consumer Privacy Act (United States)
• COPE: Committee on Publication Ethics guidelines
• ICMJE: International Committee of Medical Journal Editors standards

14. Accessibility and Inclusion

We are committed to providing accessible services that comply with:

• WCAG 2.1 AA: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
• Section 508: U.S. accessibility standards
• Academic Inclusion: Support for diverse academic communities
• Language Support: Assistance for non-native English speakers

15. Contact Information and Support

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms of Use is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Invalid provisions shall be replaced with enforceable terms that most closely reflect the original intent.