Munich Datageeks e.V.

Terms of Service

Munich Datageeks e.V. - Knowledge Sharing Community

Last updated: 20.10.2025

1. Scope and Applicability

1.1 These Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your relationship with Munich Datageeks e.V. (referred to as "we," "us," "our," or "the Club") when you:

  • Attend our events (in-person or online)
  • Access our website and online content
  • Use our services (newsletters, video archives, member areas)
  • Participate in our community activities

By participating in any of our activities, you accept these Terms.

1.2 Who We Are

Munich Datageeks e.V. e.V.
Registered Club (eingetragener Verein)
Registration: Vereinsregister Amtsgericht München, VR [number]
Founded: May 12, 2015
Registered: August 5, 2015

Represented by:
Prof. Torsten Schön (First Chairman)
Email: munichdatageeks@gmail.com

1.3 Our Purpose

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to creating spaces for community knowledge sharing through talks, presentations, workshops, and discussions in data and AI.

1.4 Language

These Terms are provided in English.

2. Event Participation

2.1 Event Registration

Free Events:

  • Most of our events are free to attend
  • Registration may be required for capacity planning
  • Registration does not guarantee admission if capacity is exceeded

Paid Events (if applicable):

  • Payment must be completed before the event
  • Cancellation and refund policies are stated on each event page
  • We reserve the right to cancel events and provide full refunds

2.2 Event Attendance Rules

By attending our events, you agree to:

✓ Respectful Participation:

  • Treat all participants, speakers, and organizers with respect
  • Follow instructions from organizers and venue staff
  • Not disrupt presentations or discussions

✓ Recording Acknowledgment:

  • Accept that events will be recorded (video, audio, photos)
  • Understand recordings will be published publicly
  • Follow our Video Recording Policy

✓ Safety and Compliance:

  • Follow venue rules and safety regulations
  • Not bring prohibited items (weapons, illegal substances, etc.)
  • Follow applicable health and safety measures

✗ Prohibited Behavior:

  • Harassment, discrimination, or intimidation of any kind
  • Commercial solicitation without prior approval
  • Recording with personal devices without permission
  • Disruptive or aggressive behavior

2.3 Right to Refuse or Remove

We reserve the right to:

  • Refuse admission to anyone
  • Remove participants who violate these Terms or our Code of Conduct
  • Ban participants from future events for serious violations
  • Contact authorities if illegal behavior occurs

No refund will be provided for removal due to Terms violations.

2.4 Event Changes and Cancellations

We reserve the right to:

  • Change event details (speakers, topics, times, locations)
  • Cancel events due to unforeseen circumstances
  • Move events online if necessary

In case of cancellation:

  • Registered participants will be notified via email
  • Paid events: Full refund within 14 days
  • Free events: No compensation provided

2.5 Liability for Events

Our Liability is Limited:

  • We are not liable for personal injury except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct
  • We are not liable for lost or stolen personal belongings
  • We are not liable for travel costs if events are cancelled
  • Venue-specific liability rules may also apply

Your Responsibility:

  • You attend events at your own risk
  • You are responsible for your personal belongings
  • You must have adequate insurance coverage

3. Online Services and Content

3.1 Website Usage

Access to our website is free and subject to these Terms.

Permitted Use:

  • View and access content for personal, non-commercial purposes
  • Download materials explicitly marked as downloadable
  • Share links to our content on social media
  • Embed videos where embedding is enabled

Prohibited Use:

  • Automated scraping or mass downloading
  • Circumventing access restrictions or paywalls
  • Reverse engineering or attempting to hack our systems
  • Using content for commercial purposes without permission
  • Impersonating the Club or misrepresenting affiliation

3.2 Video Content and Archives

YouTube and Video Platform Usage:

  • Our videos are hosted on YouTube and similar platforms
  • Those platforms' terms of service also apply
  • Videos are published under "all rights reserved"
  • Educational fair use is permitted within legal bounds

Permitted Use of Videos:

  • Watch for personal learning and education
  • Share links with attribution
  • Use short clips for educational purposes with attribution (fair use)
  • Embed where allowed

Prohibited Use of Videos:

  • Downloading and re-uploading to other platforms
  • Using in commercial products or services without permission
  • Editing or modifying without permission
  • Removing attribution or credits

3.3 Speaker Content and Intellectual Property

Speaker Rights:

  • Speakers retain copyright to their presentation content
  • Some presentations may be under Creative Commons licenses (specified per video)
  • Respect speaker-specific usage terms stated in video descriptions

Club Rights:

  • We own rights to recordings, editing, and production elements
  • We grant you a limited, personal, non-commercial license to view content
  • This license is revocable if you violate these Terms

3.4 Newsletter and Communications

By subscribing to our newsletter, you consent to:

  • Receiving regular emails about events, news, and content
  • Our processing of your email address per our Privacy Policy
  • Occasional surveys or feedback requests

You can unsubscribe at any time:

  • Use the unsubscribe link in any email
  • Use the unsubscribe button on the website
  • We will process unsubscribe requests within 48 hours

4. Membership (if applicable)

4.1 Becoming a Member

Membership Types:

  • Regular Member (Ordentliches Mitglied) of the e.V.
  • Regular Community Attendee (visiting a talk or event)
  • Special Event Attendee (visiting a DaDaDa event)

Membership Benefits:

  • Voting rights at general assemblies
  • Help building a even stronger community

4.2 Membership Fees

Annual Fees:

  • Regular Member: €10 per year
  • Regular Community Attendee (visiting a talk or event): nothing
  • Special Event Attendee (visiting a DaDaDa event): obligatory sign up fee, published per event

Payment:

  • Due annually on January or upon joining
  • Payable via bank transfer
  • No refunds for partial years

4.3 Rights and Obligations

Member Rights:

  • Participate in all club activities
  • Vote at general assemblies (regular members)
  • Run for board positions

Member Obligations:

  • Pay membership fees on time
  • Support the club's mission and values
  • Follow these Terms and our Code of Conduct

4.4 Termination of Membership

By Member:

  • Written notice required (email acceptable)
  • Effective end of calendar year with 1 month notice
  • No refund of fees already paid

By Club:

  • For non-payment of fees (after 2 reminders)
  • For serious violations of Terms or Code of Conduct
  • Requires board decision
  • Member will be notified in writing

Consequences of Termination:

  • Loss of all membership benefits
  • No further voting rights
  • Possible exclusion from events (for cause)

5. User Accounts and Interactive Features

5.1 Account Registration (if applicable)

Creating an Account:

  • You must provide accurate information
  • You are responsible for keeping login credentials secure
  • One account per person
  • Accounts are non-transferable

Account Security:

  • You are responsible for all activities under your account
  • Notify us immediately of unauthorized access
  • Use strong, unique passwords
  • Enable two-factor authentication if available

5.2 User-Generated Content

If our platform allows comments, forum posts, or submissions:

You grant us license to:

  • Display your content on our platforms
  • Moderate, edit, or remove content
  • Use your name/username with your content

Content Standards:

  • Must be respectful and constructive
  • No harassment, hate speech, or illegal content
  • No spam, advertising, or self-promotion (unless invited)
  • No copyright infringement

We reserve the right to:

  • Remove content that violates these Terms
  • Suspend or ban accounts for violations
  • Report illegal content to authorities

5.3 Privacy of User Data

All personal data is processed according to our Privacy Policy.

Key points:

  • We collect minimal necessary data
  • We comply with GDPR/DSGVO
  • You have rights to access, correct, and delete your data
  • Contact: meetups@munich-datageeks.de

6. Code of Conduct

6.1 Our Community Values

We are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful community for everyone, regardless of:

  • Gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation
  • Disability or health status
  • Ethnicity, nationality, or cultural background
  • Age, religion, or political views
  • Experience level or expertise

6.2 Expected Behavior

✓ Be Respectful:

  • Listen actively and allow others to speak
  • Value diverse perspectives and experiences
  • Disagree constructively and professionally

✓ Be Inclusive:

  • Use welcoming and inclusive language
  • Be patient with newcomers
  • Help create a safe space for learning

✓ Be Professional:

  • Stay on topic during presentations
  • Ask thoughtful questions
  • Give credit where due

6.3 Unacceptable Behavior

✗ Harassment includes:

  • Offensive comments or jokes
  • Unwelcome sexual attention or advances
  • Intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Photography/recording without consent (beyond event recording)
  • Sustained disruption of talks or events

✗ Discrimination:

  • Based on any protected characteristic
  • Microaggressions or exclusionary behavior
  • Gatekeeping or elitism

✗ Other Violations:

  • Doxing or sharing private information
  • Advocating or encouraging harmful behavior
  • Violating confidentiality agreements

6.4 Reporting and Enforcement

How to Report:

  • During event: Contact organizer immediately
  • After event: Email meetups@munich-datageeks.de
  • Anonymous reports accepted
  • All reports handled confidentially

Consequences:

  • Warning (first minor offense)
  • Removal from event (immediate violations)
  • Temporary ban (serious or repeated violations)
  • Permanent ban (severe violations)
  • Legal action (illegal behavior)

Due Process:

  • Accused parties will be informed of complaints
  • Opportunity to respond provided
  • Board makes final decisions on bans
  • Appeals can be submitted to the board

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 Our Content

Club-Owned Content:

  • Website design, layout, and branding
  • Event recordings and production elements
  • Marketing materials and graphics
  • Original written content (blog posts, descriptions)

Protection:

  • ©2025 Munich Datageeks e.V. All rights reserved (unless otherwise stated)
  • Trademarks and logos are protected
  • Unauthorized use is prohibited

7.2 Third-Party Content

Speaker Presentations:

  • Speakers retain copyright to their content
  • Licensed to us for recording and distribution
  • Your use is subject to speaker-specific terms

Linked Content:

  • We are not responsible for external websites
  • External content is subject to their own terms
  • Links do not imply endorsement

7.3 Your Use of Our Content

Permitted Uses (Fair Use):

  • Educational purposes with attribution
  • News reporting and commentary
  • Personal learning and study
  • Short quotes with attribution

Prohibited Uses:

  • Commercial exploitation without license
  • Claiming authorship or removing credits
  • Creating derivative works without permission
  • Mass redistribution

If You Want to Use Our Content:

8. Data Protection and Privacy

8.1 Reference to Privacy Policy

Data protection is a fundamental right. Our complete data protection practices are detailed in our Privacy Policy.

8.2 Key Points

Data We Collect:

  • Event registration information
  • Website analytics
  • Newsletter subscriptions
  • Membership data (if member)
  • Video recordings from events

Legal Basis:

  • Consent (for newsletters, recordings)
  • Contract performance (for membership)
  • Legitimate interest (for event photography)

Your Rights:

  • Access your data
  • Correct inaccuracies
  • Request deletion
  • Object to processing
  • Withdraw consent

Contact: meetups@munich-datageeks.de

8.3 Recording at Events

Special Notice: Events are recorded per our Video Recording Policy. By attending, you acknowledge:

  • Video and audio recording will occur
  • Recordings will be published publicly
  • You have opt-out options available

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 Content Accuracy

Educational Content:

  • Presented "as is" for educational purposes
  • We don't guarantee accuracy, completeness, or currency
  • Speakers express their own opinions
  • Content is not professional advice

Not Professional Services: Our content and events do NOT constitute:

  • Legal, financial, or medical advice
  • Professional consulting services
  • Endorsement of any products or services
  • Employment or contractor relationships

Always consult qualified professionals for specific advice.

9.2 Limitation of Liability

To the Maximum Extent Permitted by German Law:

We are NOT liable for:

  • Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
  • Lost profits or business opportunities
  • Data loss or corruption
  • Third-party actions or content
  • Force majeure events

We ARE liable for:

  • Willful misconduct (Vorsatz)
  • Gross negligence (grobe Fahrlässigkeit)
  • Personal injury caused by negligence
  • Violations of essential contractual obligations (cardinal duties)
  • Mandatory statutory liability (product liability, etc.)

Liability Cap: For simple negligence affecting non-cardinal duties, liability is limited to €[reasonable amount, e.g., 5,000] per incident and €[amount, e.g., 10,000] per year.

9.3 Third-Party Services

External Platforms:

  • YouTube, Meetup, social media platforms
  • Governed by their own terms and policies
  • We are not responsible for their actions
  • Service interruptions may occur

External Links:

  • We don't control linked websites
  • No endorsement implied
  • You access them at your own risk

9.4 Technical Issues

Website and Services:

  • Provided "as available"
  • May have downtime for maintenance
  • May be updated or changed without notice
  • No guarantee of uninterrupted access

10. Financial Terms

10.1 Free Services

Most of our services are free because we are a non-profit organization dedicated to knowledge sharing.

10.2 Paid Events and Memberships (if applicable)

Prices:

  • Listed in Euros (€)
  • Include VAT if applicable
  • Subject to change with notice

Payment Methods:

  • Bank transfer
  • Payment details provided upon registration

Refund Policy:

  • Paid (DaDaDa) Event cancellation by us: Partial refund as budgets can be aligned with 3rd parties that provide services for events
  • No-shows: No refund
  • Membership fees: No refund after joining

10.3 Donations

We welcome donations:

Donation Terms:

  • Voluntary and non-refundable
  • Used to support our mission
  • No special benefits unless explicitly stated

11. General Provisions

11.1 Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms:

  • To reflect legal changes
  • To improve clarity
  • To address new services or features
  • Based on community feedback

Notice of Changes:

  • Posted on our website with "Last updated" date
  • Significant changes announced via newsletter
  • Continued use constitutes acceptance

Your Options:

  • Review Terms periodically
  • Contact us with questions
  • Stop using our services if you disagree

11.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable:

  • The rest of the Terms remain in effect
  • The invalid provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary
  • Or replaced with a valid provision that achieves similar purpose

11.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision:

  • Does not constitute a waiver
  • Does not prevent future enforcement
  • Rights remain reserved

11.4 Assignment

You may not transfer these Terms or your obligations:

  • Membership is personal
  • Accounts are non-transferable

We may transfer our rights and obligations:

  • To a successor organization
  • With notice to you

11.5 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with:

  • Our Privacy Policy
  • Our Video Recording Policy
  • Event-specific terms (if any)

Constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding our services.

12. Dispute Resolution and Applicable Law

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by:

  • The laws of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Without regard to conflict of law principles
  • GDPR/DSGVO for data protection matters
  • German Civil Code (BGB) for contractual matters

12.2 Jurisdiction

For Legal Disputes:

  • Jurisdiction: Munich (München), Germany
  • Applies to: Commercial members or claims over €5,000
  • Consumer disputes: Your local jurisdiction may apply

12.3 Informal Resolution First

Before formal legal action:

12.4 Mediation (Optional)

For significant disputes:

  • We're willing to participate in mediation
  • Mediator selected by mutual agreement
  • Costs shared equally
  • Non-binding but encouraged

12.5 Consumer Rights

If you are a consumer:

  • German consumer protection laws apply
  • You may have additional rights
  • See: www.verbraucherzentrale.de
  • EU Online Dispute Resolution: ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

12.6 German Language

Legal Binding:

  • These Terms are originally drafted in English

13. Contact Information

13.1 General Inquiries

Munich Datageeks e.V.
Attn: Board of Directors

Email: munichdatageeks@gmail.com
Website: https://munich-datageeks.de

13.2 Specific Departments

Privacy and Data Protection:
Email: meetups@munich-datageeks.de

Code of Conduct Violations:
Email: meetups@munich-datageeks.de

Membership Questions:
Email: meetups@munich-datageeks.de

Event Registration:
Via https://meetup.com platform.

Content Licensing:
Email: meetups@munich-datageeks.de

13.3 Board of Directors

Prof. Torsten Schön (First Chairman)
Maik Preßler (Vice Chairman)
Stephanie Thiemichen (Secretary)
Jonas Biehler (Treasurer)

Board Email: torsten@munich-datageeks.de

13.4 Registry Information

Vereinsregister:
Amtsgericht München
Register Number: VR [number]
Founded: May 12, 2015
Registered: August 5, 2015

Tax Status: Gemeinnützig (Non-profit)

14. Acknowledgment

By attending our events, using our website, or participating in our community, you acknowledge that:

✓ You have read and understood these Terms of Service
✓ You agree to be bound by these Terms
✓ You understand our Privacy Policy and Video Recording Policy
✓ You agree to our Code of Conduct
✓ You are at least 16 years old (or have parental consent)
✓ You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations

If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not:

  • Attend our events
  • Use our website or services
  • Register as a member
  • Participate in our community

15. Additional Resources

Related Policies:

Useful External Resources:

  • German Consumer Protection: www.verbraucherzentrale.de
  • Data Protection Authority: www.lda.bayern.de
  • German Civil Code: www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/
  • EU GDPR: gdpr.eu

Thank you for being part of our knowledge-sharing community!

These Terms of Service were last updated on 20.10.2025. Version 0.9

Questions?

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

Email: meetups@munich-datageeks.de
Subject: "Terms of Service Question"

We're committed to transparency and will respond to inquiries within 7 business days.

Munich Datageeks e.V. is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to data and AI community exchange. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and educational community.