POLICY STATEMENT ON THE HKIE WEBSITES

The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (the “HKIE”, the “Institution”) recognises its websites (“Websites”) as key resources for providing information to the members and the public, for general communication, for publicity and for administration. The Institution will ensure the proper use of its Websites in the fulfilment of its missions.

Purposes of the HKIE websites

The HKIE Websites are intended for the following uses:

1. Communication with members and the public: to serve as a gateway for the dissemination of information, collection of feedback and enquiries from members and the public.
2. Publicity and promotion: to provide a channel for the Institution to publicise its events, seminars and services.
3. Public access to the Institution’s information: to provide the most up-to-date information about its events/seminars and the work and services of the Institution.
4. Administration and support services: to handle on-line applications and other support services.
5. Collection of statistics: to determine web usage and Users' opinions to facilitate better services. 
6. The content contains general information and is for reference only.

Privacy Policy

Under normal circumstances, no personally identifiable information will be collected from users (“Users”) to the HKIE’s Websites. However, where personal information is collected, through the use of means such as data collection forms, linkage of social platforms and any other means, the Institution will ensure that the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance is complied with. Please refer to our Privacy Policy Statement for details on personal data protection and right of access and correction.

Copyright

The HKIE Websites contain copyrighted materials and other proprietary information, including, but not limited to, text, software, photos, video, graphics, music and sound, and the entire contents of the Websites are copyrighted as a collective work under the copyright laws. The HKIE owns a copyright in the selection, coordination, arrangement and enhancement of such content, as well as in the content original to it.

The Institution will endeavour to seek prior permission from the rightful owner before publishing any copyrighted works, including weblinks, text, graphics, photographs, and sound and video recordings on the HKIE Websites. 

By the same token, the HKIE Websites are protected by copyright and any attempt to modify, reproduce, link, publish, distribute, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale, create derivative works, or in any way exploit, in whole or in part, including the design elements, look and feel or layout of the Websites, without prior written permission of the Institution, will be deemed to have infringed the Institution’s copyright.  Users may download copyrighted material for Users’ personal use only.

Except as otherwise expressly permitted under copyright law, no copying, redistribution, retransmission, publication or commercial exploitation of downloaded material will be permitted without the express permission of the Institution and the copyright owner. Any copies of materials made for a permitted purpose will include an acknowledgement that copyright belongs to the Institution, and no changes in or deletion of author attribution, trademark legend or copyright notice shall be made. Users acknowledge that they do not acquire any ownership rights by downloading copyrighted material.

Users shall not upload, post or otherwise make available on the HKIE Websites any material protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right without the express permission of the owner of the copyright, trademark or other proprietary right and the burden of determining that any material is not protected by copyright rests with Users. Users shall be solely liable for any damage resulting from any infringement of copyrights, proprietary rights, or any other harm resulting from such a submission. By submitting materials to any public area of the HKIE Websites, Users automatically grant, or warrant that the owner of such material has expressly granted the Institution the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate and distribute such material (in whole or in part) worldwide and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media or technology now known or hereafter developed for the full term of any copyright that may exist in such material. No compensation will be paid with respect to the use of such materials. Users also permit any other Users to access, view, store or reproduce the material for that Users' personal use. Users hereby grant the Institution the right to edit, copy, publish and distribute any material made available on the HKIE Websites by Users.

Any concerns about the content on the HKIE’s Websites or copyright should be addressed to our webmaster at mlssupport@hkie.org.hk.  Requests to have a hyperlink to the HKIE Websites included or removed should be addressed to the HKIE Secretariat at hkie-sec@hkie.org.hk. 

Legal Considerations

The HKIE Websites are the property of the Institution. The Institution will not tolerate any acts of misuse of the HKIE Websites, infringement of laws, or any attempts to abuse its network or systems or tamper with its normal operation.  The Institution reserves the right to take appropriate legal action against any person who performs, directly or indirectly, such acts.  Such persons will also be liable for any loss or damage caused by the prohibited acts.

Disclaimer

By using the HKIE Websites Users agree to abide by the Terms of Use of the Websites.

The Institution expressly disclaims any responsibility, representation or warranty, to the extent permitted by law:

1. in relation to the quality, operation, use, accuracy, or timeliness of the information contained within the HKIE Websites. The Websites are provided on an “as is” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of title or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, other than those warranties which are implied by and incapable of exclusion, restriction or modification under the laws applicable to this agreement;
2. that any access to the HKIE Websites will be uninterrupted or error free.  Users expressly agree that use of the HKIE Websites is at users’ sole risk. Neither the Institution, its affiliates nor any of their respective employees, agents, third party content providers or licensors make any warranty as to the results that may be obtained from use of the HKIE Websites, or as to the accuracy, reliability or content of any information, service, or merchandise provided through websites;
3. for any direct or indirect loss, damage or injury arising from any cause of use in connection with the HKIE Websites, including but not limited to any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communication line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorised access to, alteration of, or use of record, whether for breach of contract, tortious behaviour, negligence, or under any other cause of action. Users specifically acknowledge that the Institution is not liable for the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of other Users or third-parties and that the risk of injury from the foregoing rests entirely with Users;
4. in relation to the content of external weblinks and webpages provided or mentioned in the Websites. References and links to any such sites shall not be taken as an endorsement or approval by the Institution of any opinions expressed or services provided at those sites;
5. that in no event will the Institution, or any person or entity involved in creating, producing or distributing the HKIE Websites or the software, be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages arising out of the use of or inability to use the Websites. Users hereby acknowledge that the provisions of this section shall apply to all contents in the HKIE Websites.

In addition to the terms set forth above, neither the Institution, nor its affiliates, information providers or content partners shall be liable regardless of the cause or duration, for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or other defects in, or untimeliness or incorrectness of, the information contained within the HKIE Websites, or for any delay or interruption in the transmission thereof to the Users, or for any claims or losses arising therefrom or occasioned thereby. None of the foregoing parties shall be liable for any third-party claims or losses of any nature, including, but not limited to, lost profits, punitive or consequential damages.

The content of the HKIE’s Websites and their policies are subject to change without notice. The Institution reserves the right to take appropriate action under its relevant policies and procedures where suspicion or allegation of breach occurs. These actions are subject to the sole discretion and final determination by the Institution and Users agree to raise no objection therein.  

Enquiries

Any queries on this policy statement should be addressed to
hkie-sec@hkie.org.hk.

Issued in September 2017

TERMS OF USE

Acceptance of Terms

The services that The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (the “HKIE”) provides to any user(s) (each a “User”) are subject to the following Terms of Use (“TOU”). The HKIE reserves the right to update the TOU at any time without notice to User. The most current version of the TOU can be reviewed by clicking on the “Terms of Use” hypertext link located at the bottom of the web pages.

1. This agreement (the “Agreement”), which incorporates by reference other provisions applicable to use of the websites of the HKIE (“Websites”), including, but not limited to, supplemental terms and conditions set forth hereof governing the use of certain specific materials contained in the Websites, sets forth the terms and conditions that apply to the use of the Websites by Users. By using the Websites (other than to read this Agreement for the first time), User agrees to comply with all of the terms and conditions hereof. The right to use the Website is personal to User and is not transferable to any other person or entity. User is responsible for all use of User’s account (under any screen name or password) and for ensuring that all use of User’s account complies fully with the provisions of this Agreement.
2. The HKIE shall have the right at any time to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of the Websites, including, but not limited to, content, hours of availability, and equipment needed for access or use.

Change of Terms

The HKIE shall have the right at any time to change or modify the terms and conditions applicable to User’s use of the Websites, or any part thereof, or to impose new conditions, including, but not limited to, adding fees and charges for use. Such changes, modifications, additions or deletions shall be effective immediately upon notice thereof, which may be given by means including, but not limited to, posting on the Websites, or by electronic or conventional mail, or by any other means by which User may gain access thereto. Any use of the Websites by User after the effective date of such notice shall be deemed to constitute acceptance by User of such changes, modifications or additions.

Description of Services

Through its web property, the HKIE provides User with access to a variety of resources, including download areas, communication forums and information (collectively "Services"). The Services, including any updates, enhancements, new features, and/or the addition of any new web properties, are subject to the TOU. The Services may contain email services, bulletin board services, news, forums, photo albums, and/or other message or communication facilities designed to enable User to communicate with others (each a “Communication Service” and collectively “Communication Services”).

Equipment

User shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all telephone, computer hardware, software and other equipment needed for access to and use of the Websites and all charges related thereto.

User Conduct

1. User shall use the Websites for lawful purposes only. User shall not post or transmit through the Websites any material which violates or infringes in any way upon the rights of others, which is unlawful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, vulgar, obscene, profane or otherwise objectionable, which encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offence, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any law, or which, without the HKIE's express prior approval, contains advertising or any solicitation with respect to products or services. Any conduct by a User that in the HKIE’s discretion restricts or inhibits any other User from using or enjoying the Websites will not be permitted. User shall not use the Websites to advertise or perform any commercial solicitation, including, but not limited to, the solicitation of users to become subscribers of other on-line information services competitive with the HKIE.
2. The foregoing provisions of Section 5 are for the benefit of the HKIE, its subsidiaries, affiliates and its third party content providers and licensors and each shall have the right to assert and enforce such provisions directly or on its own behalf.

Use of Services

User agrees to use the Communication Services only to post, send and receive messages and materials that are proper and, when applicable, related to the particular Communication Service. By way of example, and not as a limitation, User agrees that when using the Websites, Services and/or Communication Services, User will not:

1. Use the Websites, Services and/or Communication Services for unlawful purposes.
2. Use the Communication Services in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise).
3. Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.
4. Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any inappropriate, profane, defamatory, obscene, indecent or unlawful topic, name, material or information.
5. Upload, or otherwise make available, files that contain images, photographs, software or other materials protected by intellectual property laws, including, by way of example, and not as limitation, copyright or trademark laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless User owns or controls the rights thereto or has received all necessary consent to do the same.
6. Use any materials or information, including images or photographs, which are made available through the Websites, Services and/or Communication Services in any manner that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right of any party.
7. Upload files that contain viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another's computer or property of another.
8. Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any business purpose, unless such Communication Services specifically allow such messages.
9. Download any file posted by another user of a Communication Service that User knows, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally reproduced, displayed, performed, and/or distributed in such manner.
10. Falsify or delete any copyright management information, such as author attributions, legal or other proper notices or proprietary designations or labels of the origin or source of software or other material contained in a file that is uploaded.
11. Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Websites, Services and/or Communication Services.
12. Violate any code of conduct or other guidelines which may be applicable for the Websites, Services and/or Communication Services.
13. Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including email addresses.
14. Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
15. Use, download or otherwise copy, or provide (whether or not for a fee) to a person or entity any directory of users of the Websites, Services and/or Communication Services or other user or usage information or any portion thereof.

Materials uploaded to the Communication Services may be subject to posted limitations on usage, reproduction and/or dissemination; User is responsible for adhering to such limitations if User downloads the materials.

User should always use caution when giving out any personally identifiable information in any Communication Services. The HKIE does not control or endorse the contents, messages or information found in any Communication Services and, therefore, the HKIE specifically disclaims any liability with regard to the Communication Services and any actions resulting from User’s participation in any Communication Services. Managers and hosts are not authorised HKIE spokespersons, and their views do not necessarily reflect those of the HKIE.

Member Account, Password, and Security

User is entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of User’s password and account. Furthermore, User is entirely responsible for any and all activities that occur under User’s account. User agrees to notify the HKIE immediately of any unauthorised use of User’s account or any other breach of security. The HKIE will not be liable for any loss that User may incur as a result of someone else using User’s password or account, either with or without User’s knowledge. However, User could be held liable for losses incurred by the HKIE or another party due to someone else using User’s account or password. User may not use anyone else’s account at any time, without the permission of the account holder.

Notice Specific to Documents Available on the Websites

Permission to use documents (such as Constitution, Disciplinary Regulation, Rules of Conduct, manuals, meeting minutes etc.) (“Documents”) from the Services is granted, provided that (1) the below copyright notice appears in all copies and that both the copyright notice and this permission notice appear, (2) use of such Documents from the Services is for informational and non-commercial or personal use only and will not be copied or posted on any network computer or broadcast in any media, and (3) no modifications of any Documents are made.

The Documents and related graphics published on the services could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically added to the information herein. The HKIE, its subsidiaries, affiliates and/or their respective suppliers may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described herein at any time.

Materials Provided to the HKIE or Posted at any of its Websites

The HKIE does not claim ownership over the materials User provides to the HKIE (including feedback and suggestions) or posts, uploads, inputs or submits to any Services or its associated services for review by the general public, or by the members of any public or private community, (each a “Submission” and collectively “Submissions”). However, by posting, uploading, inputting, providing or submitting (“Posting”) User’s Submission, User is granting the HKIE, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies and necessary sublicensees permission to use User’s Submission in connection with the operation of their Internet businesses (including, without limitation, all the HKIE Services), including, without limitation, the licence rights to: copy, distribute, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, reproduce, edit, translate and reformat User’s Submission; to publish User’s name in connection with User’s Submission; and the right to sublicense such rights to any supplier of the Services.

No compensation will be paid with respect to the use of User’s Submission, as provided herein. The HKIE is under no obligation to post or use any Submission User may provide and the HKIE may remove any Submission at any time in its sole discretion. By Posting a Submission User warrants and represents that he owns or otherwise controls all of the rights to his User’s Submission as described in the TOU including, without limitation, all the rights necessary for User to provide, post, upload, input or submit the Submissions.

In addition to the warranties and representations set forth above, by Posting a Submission that contain images, photographs, pictures or that are otherwise graphical in whole or in part (“Images”), User warrants and represents that (a) User is the copyright owner of such Images, or that the copyright owner of such Images has granted User permission to use such Images or any content and/or images contained in such Images consistent with the manner and purpose of User’s use and as otherwise permitted by the TOU and the Services, (b) User has the rights necessary to grant the licences and sublicences described in the TOU, and (c) that each person depicted in such Images, if any, has provided consent to the use of the Images as set forth in the TOU, including, by way of example, and not as a limitation, the distribution, public display and reproduction of such Images. The licences granted in the preceding sentences for Images will terminate at the time User completely removes such Images from the Services, provided that, such termination shall not affect any licences granted in connection with such Images prior to the time User completely removes such Images.

Links to Third Party Sites

The HKIE is a distributor (and not a publisher) of certain contents supplied by third parties and Users. Accordingly, the HKIE has no more editorial control over such contents than does a public library, bookstore, or newsstand. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, Users or any other user of the Websites, are those of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and not of the HKIE. Neither the HKIE nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content, nor its merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.

In many instances, the content available through the Websites represents the opinions and judgments of the respective information provider, User, or other user not under contract with the HKIE. The HKIE neither endorses nor is responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, advice or statement made on the Websites by anyone other than the authorised HKIE spokespersons while acting in their official capacities. Under no circumstances will the HKIE be liable for any loss or damage caused by a User’s reliance on information obtained through the Websites. It is the responsibility of User to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content available through the HKIE. Please seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding the evaluation of any specific information, opinion, advice or other content.

Monitoring

The HKIE shall have the right, but not the obligation, to monitor the contents of the Websites, including bulletin boards and forums, to determine compliance with this Agreement and any operating rules established by the HKIE and to satisfy any law, regulation or authorised government request. The HKIE shall have the right in its sole discretion to edit, refuse to post or remove any material submitted to or posted on the Websites.

Indemnification

User agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the HKIE, its subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all claims and expenses, including legal fees, arising out of the use of the HKIE by User or User’s account.

Termination

Either the HKIE or User may terminate this Agreement at any time. Without limiting the foregoing, the HKIE shall have the right to immediately terminate User’s account in the event of any conduct by User which the HKIE, in its sole discretion, considers to be unacceptable, or in the event of any breach by User of this Agreement.

Miscellaneous

This Agreement and any operating rules for the Websites established by the HKIE constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous written or oral agreements between the parties with respect to such subject matter. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong SAR, China, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. No waiver by either party of any breach or default hereunder shall be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or subsequent breach or default. The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not be given any legal import.

Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

The design of this website is based on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA requirements. If you encounter any difficulty in the use of this website or find any aspect of this website inaccessible, please contact us at 2895 4446 or email to wca@hkie.org.hk, thank you.