Article 1 – Legal Information

Company Name: Positive Science SAS (being established)

Legal Form: Simplified Joint Stock Company (SAS)

Registered Office: 91 Route des Romains, 67200 Strasbourg, France

Contact Email: [email protected]

Publication Director: Valentina TESLENKO ([email protected])

Hosting: Hetzner Online GmbH, Industriestr. 25, 91710 Gunzenhausen, Germany

Article 2 – Purpose

These Terms of Sale (hereinafter 'ToS') govern the contractual relationships between Positive Science SAS (hereinafter 'Positive Science' or 'the Company') and any natural or legal person (hereinafter 'the Client' or 'the User') wishing to access and use the services offered on the Positive Science digital platform.

Positive Science is a digital platform that provides technological infrastructure enabling scientific journals, researchers, editors and institutions to host, publish, evaluate and distribute scientific work online.

Positive Science acts as a platform operator and technical host, providing scientific journals with the tools and services necessary for their operation. Each journal maintains its editorial and scientific independence.

Any order or use of the services offered implies unreserved acceptance of these ToS.

Article 3 – Services Offered

Positive Science offers the following services:

Infrastructure and hosting services:

Optional services:

Important note: Journals hosted on Positive Science maintain their editorial autonomy. Positive Science does not substitute for journal editorial boards in publication decisions.

Article 4 – Concerned Clients

Positive Science services are intended for:

Direct clients (B2B):

End users (B2C):

Article 5 – Prices

5.1. Pricing

Service prices are indicated in euros (€), all taxes included (TTC). Positive Science reserves the right to modify its prices at any time. However, services will be billed based on the prices in effect at the time of order validation by the Client.

5.2. Price Revision

For ongoing subscriptions, any price modification will be communicated to the Client at least 30 days before its entry into force. The Client may then choose to terminate their subscription without fees.

Article 6 – Order and Validation

6.1. Order Process

The Client selects the desired service(s) on the platform and follows the online ordering process.

6.2. Order Validation

Order validation implies acceptance of these ToS and constitutes proof of the sales contract. Positive Science will confirm the order by email to the address provided by the Client.

6.3. Archiving

In accordance with legal provisions, Positive Science will archive order forms and invoices on a reliable and durable medium constituting a faithful copy.

Article 7 – Payment Methods

7.1. Accepted Payment Methods

Payment is made exclusively by credit card via a secure payment system. Accepted cards are: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and other cards compatible with our payment service provider.

7.2. Payment Security

All transactions are secured by SSL protocol and comply with PCI-DSS standards. Positive Science does not store any complete banking data.

7.3. Payment Deadline

Payment is due immediately upon order validation, except for special provisions (installment payment for certain institutional subscriptions).

7.4. Payment Default

In case of payment default, Positive Science reserves the right to suspend access to services until regularization.

Article 8 – Service Execution

8.1. Immediate Digital Services

Most offered services (access to articles, subscriptions, etc.) are digital services provided immediately after payment validation.

8.2. Services Requiring Time

For editorial, proofreading or DOI attribution services, an execution deadline will be communicated to the Client when ordering.

8.3. Client Obligations

The Client commits to:

Article 9 – Right of Withdrawal

9.1. Digital Services Started Immediately

In accordance with Article L221-28 of the Consumer Code, the right of withdrawal does not apply to digital services whose execution has begun with the express prior agreement of the consumer and for which they have waived their right of withdrawal.

By validating their order, the Client acknowledges and expressly accepts that: execution of the service begins immediately after payment validation, and they waive their 14-day right of withdrawal.

9.2. Services Not Yet Started

For ordered services whose execution has not yet begun, the Client has a period of 14 days from order validation to exercise their right of withdrawal, without having to justify reasons or pay penalties.

9.3. Withdrawal Procedure

The withdrawal request must be addressed by email to [contact email] specifying the order number.

Article 10 – Refund

10.1. Services Not Provided

In case of non-provision of an ordered service within agreed deadlines, the Client may obtain a full refund of amounts paid.

10.2. Defective Services

If a service presents a conformity defect, the Client may request its conformity or, failing that, a price reduction or contract cancellation with refund.

10.3. Refund Deadline

Any refund will be made within a maximum period of 14 days following the validated request, by credit to the credit card used for payment.

Article 11 – Responsibility

11.1. Responsibility of Positive Science

Positive Science commits to providing services with diligence and according to the rules of art, it being specified that it bears a best efforts obligation.

Positive Science cannot be held responsible for: indirect damages resulting from use or inability to use services, temporary interruptions related to maintenance operations, malfunctions due to external causes (force majeure, third-party act).

11.2. Client Responsibility

The Client is solely responsible for: content they publish on the platform, respect for intellectual property rights, confidentiality of their login credentials.

Article 12 – Intellectual Property

12.1. Positive Science Rights

All elements of the Positive Science platform (structure, design, software, databases, trademarks, logos) are protected by intellectual property law. Any unauthorized reproduction, representation or exploitation is prohibited and constitutes counterfeiting sanctioned by the Intellectual Property Code.

12.2. Rights on Published Content

The Client retains full intellectual property rights over content they publish.

By publishing on the platform, the Client grants Positive Science a non-exclusive license to distribute, reproduce and represent content, for the purposes of service execution. Specific terms regarding publication licenses (Creative Commons, open access, etc.) are defined in each journal's or service's specific conditions.

Article 13 – Personal Data Protection (GDPR)

13.1. Data Controller

Positive Science SAS is the controller of personal data collected on the platform.

13.2. Data Collected

13.3. Processing Purposes

13.4. Retention Period

Data is retained for the duration necessary for pursued purposes, in compliance with legal obligations (particularly accounting and tax).

13.5. Personal Rights

These rights are exercised by email to [contact email] or by mail to the registered office address.

13.6. Data Security

Positive Science implements all appropriate technical and organizational measures to guarantee data security and confidentiality.

13.7. Data Transfers

Data may be transferred to service providers located in the European Union or in countries offering an adequate level of protection.

13.8. Complaint

The Client has the right to lodge a complaint with the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés): www.cnil.fr

Article 14 – Duration and Termination

14.1. One-time Services

One-time services (publications, DOI attributions) end upon their complete execution.

14.2. Subscriptions

Subscriptions are taken out for the duration chosen by the Client (monthly, annual, etc.) and renew tacitly except for termination.

14.3. Termination

The Client may terminate their subscription at any time, effective at the end of the current period, by going to their personal space or by email. Positive Science may terminate a Client's access in case of serious breach of these ToS, after formal notice remaining without effect for 15 days.

Article 15 – Force Majeure

Positive Science's responsibility cannot be engaged in case of force majeure or act independent of its will (natural disaster, war, strike, major computer failure, government decision, etc.).

Article 16 – Modification of ToS

Positive Science reserves the right to modify these ToS at any time. New conditions will be applicable as soon as they are put online, for any new order. Clients will be informed by email or via the platform of any substantial modification at least 30 days before their entry into force.

Article 17 – Partial Nullity

If one or more stipulations of these ToS are held invalid or declared null, the other stipulations will retain all their force and scope.

Article 18 – Mediation and Dispute Resolution

18.1. Consumer Mediation

In accordance with Article L612-1 of the Consumer Code, the consumer Client has the right to resort free of charge to a consumer mediator for the amicable resolution of a dispute.

Recommended Mediator:
CM2C - Consommation Médiation Communication
14 rue Saint Jean, 75017 Paris
Site web: https://www.cm2c.net
Email: [email protected]

Note: Membership in the CM2C mediation service is in progress and will be finalized after company registration.

18.2. Amicable Settlement

Before any legal action, the parties commit to seeking an amicable solution to any dispute.

18.3. Applicable Law and Competent Jurisdiction

These ToS are subject to French law.

In case of dispute and failing amicable resolution, the dispute will be brought before the competent courts of Positive Science's registered office jurisdiction (Strasbourg, France), except for contrary public policy provisions. For consumer Clients, the courts of the consumer's place of residence may be competent.

Article 19 – Customer Service

Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Positive Science SAS, 91 Route des Romains, 67200 Strasbourg, France
Publication Director: Valentina TESLENKO ([email protected])

Article 20 – Entry into Force

These Terms of Sale enter into force on November 1, 2025.