Sign In

Try Now

Terms of use

German version: you may find a translated version of this document here.

Previous version: you may find the outdated version of this document here.

Status: 12 March 2025

1. Scope of the Terms of Use

  1. The scienceOS Application (hereinafter: “App”) is an AI research tool of scienceOS UG (haftungsbeschränkt), Malschendorfer Str. 4, 01326 Dresden, Germany (hereinafter: “scienceOS UG”). The App can be used via the website https://www.scienceOS.ai/ and includes both free and paid services.
  2. The aim of the App is to make the research of scientists (hereinafter referred to as “Users”) easier and more efficient with artificial intelligence.
  3. scienceOS UG is particularly keen to support researchers at all stages of their research and thus make a valuable contribution to scientific research. For this reason, scienceOS UG is continuously working on improving existing functions and adding further functions to the App.
  4. These Terms of Use apply between scienceOS UG and all Users who are at least 18 years old and have accepted the Terms of Use. Users under the age of 18 are prohibited from using the App.
  5. Deviating terms and conditions of the User shall not apply to these Terms of Use unless scienceOS UG expressly agrees to their application in writing.
  6. In the event of any inconsistency between the English and German versions of these Terms of Use, the German version shall prevail. In the event of a dispute, only the German version shall be binding.

2. Access to the App and User Account

  1. The User must register and create a user account to gain access to the App and to use the contained tools.
  2. The User must enter a valid email address and choose a personal password to register for the App. Alternatively, the User can transfer their login data from social login providers and use it as a login (Google or Microsoft).
  3. When creating a user account, the User is obliged to provide correct and complete information. The User may not pass on user account data or make it accessible to other persons.
  4. scienceOS UG is entitled to reject registrations without giving reasons. There is no entitlement to use the App.
  5. If the User has provided an email address and chosen a personal password during registration, the User will receive an automated email from scienceOS UG following registration. By clicking on the link contained in the email, the User confirms the activation of their user account. Once the user account has been activated, the User is authorized to use the App in accordance with these Terms of Use.
  6. The registration creates a free contractual relationship between scienceOS UG and the User.
  7. Unless the User objects, scienceOS UG is allowed to use the email address provided by the User during the registration to send information and news relating to the App or similar products or services. The User can object to these emails at any time. scienceOS UG shall inform the User about the use of their email address for advertising purposes and about the option to object during the registration process. To object to the use of their email address to send information and news about the App or similar products or services, the User can send an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, the User can click on the unsubscribe link contained in the respective email.

3. Scope of Services and Instructions for Use

  1. The User can enter tasks or questions via the App and receive answers generated by artificial intelligence. All information that the User enters into the App is referred to below as “Input”. The User receives one or more answers to the Inputs, possibly in different formats (e.g. text or markdown code), hereinafter referred to as “Output”. The User can view their most recently created Input and Output in their User account.
  2. When using the App, the User can enter Input into a chat-like User interface to instruct the App to generate Output based on different databases.
    • Science Chat: The User can instruct the App to search the internal database “Paper Search Index” and generate Output based on the sources found (see: https://www.scienceos.ai/science-ai-chat/).
    • File Chat: The User can upload multiple files as a database in a chat and instruct the App to search these and generate Output based on the files (see: https://www.scienceos.ai/ai-pdf-chat/). The files are stored in the user account with access protection and encryption.
    • Library Chat: The User can instruct the App to search the Library database created by the User (see: 3.3) and generate Output based on the sources found (see: https://www.scienceos.ai/ai-reference-manager/). If the library database contains files, the files are stored in the user account with access protection and encryption.
  3. In addition to the option of using the App to generate Output by entering Input based on various databases, the App contains further tools to support researchers, namely the Library, Network and Citations tools. The User interacts with these tools via corresponding buttons.
  4. Furthermore, the user can create projects within the App and add sources from their library to them. The user can share individual projects with other users by adding them to the project. The added user can view the sources added to the project and instruct the App to generate Output based on these sources.
  5. The Outputs are generated using artificial intelligence. For this purpose, scienceOS UG uses the services of subcontractors. Detailed information on which subcontractors scienceOS UG uses and how the User’s data is processed can be found in the privacy policy on the website of scienceOS UG.
  6. The User warrants that they have all rights, licenses and permissions necessary to provide Input to services provided by scienceOS UG and to share Input with other users. The User is responsible for the Input and the use of the Output, including ensuring that it does not violate applicable law or these Terms of Use.
  7. The Output may not always be accurate. The User should not rely on the Output of the App as the sole source of truth or factual information or as a substitute for professional advice. The User must evaluate the Output for accuracy and appropriateness for their use case, including appropriate human review, before using or sharing the Output.
  8. The User may not use Output that relates to an individual for any purpose that could have a legal or material effect on that individual, such as making credit, educational, employment, housing, insurance, legal, medical or other important decisions.
  9. The services provided by scienceOS UG may generate incomplete, inaccurate or offensive Output that does not reflect the views of scienceOS UG or its subcontractors. Where Output refers to products or services of a third party, this does not imply that the third party endorses scienceOS UG or its subcontractors or is affiliated with scienceOS UG or its subcontractors.
  10. scienceOS UG warrants that neither Input nor Output nor other information of the User will be used by scienceOS UG or subcontractors of scienceOS UG for the training of Large Language Models.

4. Granting of Rights

  1. By providing the App, scienceOS UG grants the User the non-exclusive, non-transferable and non-sublicensable right to use the App for an unlimited period of time for the intended use.
  2. In return, the User shall grant scienceOS UG the right to use the Input for the purpose of creating Output. This also applies in the event that the Input is protected by copyright (see Section 3.5 of these Terms of Use).

5. Special Terms of Use for Consumers

  1. Users who use the App as consumers within the meaning of Section 13 of the German Civil Code (BGB) can choose between the free version (hereinafter: “Free Plan”) or the paid premium version (hereinafter: “Angel Plan”) of the App.
  2. The functional scope of the App is limited in the Free Plan. Users using the Free Plan can use the tools Library and Network, and can instruct the App to use the following databases using a language model with a smaller range of functions:
    • Science Chat: with the limitation that the use of certain features is restricted to a set number of inputs, requests, or interactions per chat and/or period.
    • Library Chat: with the limitation that the App does not search the “Library” database created by the User (see Section 3.3 of these Terms of Use) for files and does not generate any Output based on the files, and that the use of certain features is restricted to a set number of inputs, requests, or interactions per chat and/or period.
  3. In addition, Users who use the Free Plan can receive free credits through certain actions within the App. Credits allow the User to use functions of the Angel Plan within the Free Plan. Such promotions and their conditions are specified on the website https://www.scienceos.ai/.
  4. The range of functions of the App is generally not restricted in the Angel Plan, with the exception that the use of certain features may be restricted to a set number of inputs, requests, or interactions per chat and/or period. If certain features are subject to restrictions, these restrictions will be less stringent than those in the Free Plan. Users who use the Angel Plan can use the tools Library, Network and Citations, and can instruct the App to use the following databases on the basis of a language model with an extended range of functions:
    • Science Chat
    • File Chat
    • Library Chat
  5. Both the Free Plan and the Angel Plan each contain a single license for one User.

6. Special terms of use for entrepreneurs

  1. Users using the App as entrepreneurs within the meaning of Section 14 BGB can choose between the free version (hereinafter referred to as the “Free Plan”) or the premium version which is subject to a fee (the “Team Plan” or “Institution Plan “).
  2. The functional scope of the Free Plan is set out in Section 5.2 of these Terms of Use.
  3. The range of functions of the premium versions is set out in Section 5.4 of these Terms of Use.
  4. With the Team Plan the User acquires six Angel Plan licenses.
  5. The Institution Plan allows the User to acquire more than six Angel Plan licenses.

7. Terms of Payment

  1. The prices for the fee-based versions Angel Plan and Team Plan of the App and their conditions are listed on the scienceOS UG website at https://www.scienceos.ai/pricing/.
  2. All prices listed on the website of scienceOS UG at https://www.scienceos.ai/pricing/ apply exclusively to users who use the application for private purposes or for academic or non-profit purposes. Prices and conditions for the paid versions Angel Plan and Team Plan for commercial use must be requested via email. Prices and conditions for the Institution Plan must also be requested via email, regardless of the intended use.
  3. The User’s subscription to the paid versions of the App begins as soon as the paid version has been activated by scienceOS UG.
  4. If the User purchases the Angel Plan, the monthly payment must be made in advance.
  5. If the User purchases the Team Plan or the Institution plan, scienceOS UG will send an electronic invoice to the email address provided by the User for receipt of the invoice. The User can choose between quarterly or annual payment. Alternatively, the User may expressly agree on a different individual payment cycle with scienceOS UG. Depending on which payment cycle the User chooses, the subscription fee shall be charged either for each contractual quarter, contractual year or for the individual expressly agreed period in advance and must be paid within 7 days of invoicing. Interest on arrears shall amount to nine percentage points (9%) above the applicable base interest rate.

8. Term and Termination

  1. The contract for the Free Plan is concluded for an indefinite period.
  2. The User has the right to terminate the contract for the free plan with immediate effect. Cancellation of the Free Plan is effective upon confirmation by the delete account action in the settings section of the App and confirmation of this process by entering a verification code.
  3. If the User has decided to subscribe to the Angel Plan, subscription is automatically renewed each month until one party terminates the contract. Entrepreneurs within the meaning of Section 14 BGB receive – depending on the agreement – an invoice in advance for each contractual quarter, each contractual year or for another individually expressly agreed period. Section 7.4 of these Terms of Use applies to the payment of the invoice.
  4. If the User has decided to subscribe to the Team Plan or the Institution Plan, their subscription is automatically renewed after the end of the initial contract term in accordance with the agreement between the User and scienceOS UG until one party terminates the contract. Depending on the agreement, the User shall receive an invoice in advance for each contractual quarter, each contractual year or for another individually expressly agreed period. Section 7.4 of these Terms of Use shall apply to the payment of the invoice.
  5. The minimum term of the Team Plan and the Institution Plan is three months.
  6. The User has the right to terminate the contract for a premium version of the App with due notice. Ordinary termination of the paid version does not automatically lead to termination of the Free Plan. Section 8.2 of these Terms of Use applies to this.
  7. Extraordinary termination of the contract is governed by the statutory provisions. It must be in text form. Extraordinary termination of a premium version of the App does not automatically lead to termination of the Free Plan. Section 8.2 of these Terms of Use applies to this.

9. Confidentiality and Data Protection

scienceOS UG collects and uses the User’s personal data only in accordance with the applicable legal provisions. The privacy policy of scienceOS UG can be viewed on the website at https://www.scienceos.ai/privacy-policy/.

10. Warranty

  1. scienceOS UG shall not be obliged to remedy faults and damage caused by incorrect operation, improper handling by the User, unauthorized interference by third parties, faulty hardware or force majeure.
  2. In order to use the App, an Internet-capable end device and a functional Internet connection are required, the existence of which must be guaranteed by the User themselves and the functionality and performance of which they must ensure.
  3. Should the User discover defects in the App, the User must notify scienceOS UG of these immediately in writing.
  4. scienceOS UG shall be obliged to rectify the reported defects in the App within a reasonable period of time. In the context of remedying defects, scienceOS UG shall have the right to choose between rectification and replacement delivery. The costs of remedying the defect shall be borne by scienceOS UG.
  5. The User must provide scienceOS with the necessary access to the App for the purpose of rectifying the defect.
  6. In the event of failure to remedy the defect owed pursuant to Section 10.4 of these Terms of Use, the User shall be entitled to extraordinary termination of this contract of use pursuant to Section 543 (2) sentence 1 no. 1 BGB. A failure to remedy the defect shall be deemed to exist in particular if it is impossible for scienceOS UG to remedy the defect, if scienceOS UG refuses to remedy the defect or if scienceOS UG cannot reasonably be expected to remedy the defect for the User for other reasons.

11. Liability of scienceOS UG

  1. scienceOS UG has unlimited liability:
    • in the event of malice, intent or gross negligence;
    • for damages resulting from injury to life, limb or health of people;
    • for the breach of an essential contractual obligation, the fulfillment of which makes the proper execution of the Terms of Use possible in the first place and on the observance of which the User regularly relies on and may rely on (“cardinal obligation”), but limited to the damage reasonably to be expected at the time of the conclusion of the contract;
    • in accordance with the provisions of the Product Liability Act.
  2. Any further liability of scienceOS UG is excluded. In particular, scienceOS UG shall not be liable for defects already existing at the time of conclusion of the contract, insofar as no case of Section 11.1 of these Terms of Use exists.
  3. The above liability rules shall apply accordingly to the conduct of and claims against employees, legal representatives and vicarious agents of scienceOS UG.

12. Restrictions on Use and Copyright

  1. The User is not entitled to sell the App to third parties or to transfer it to third parties in any other way (in particular by renting or lending it). Excluded from the prohibition of resale and transfer of the App to third parties set out in sentence 1 is the transfer of the App to such third parties who are not granted an independent right of use and who are subject to the User’s instructions regarding the use of the App.
  2. The App is protected by copyright. The App contains copyrighted material and trade secrets, which the User undertakes to protect. It is prohibited to convert, modify, adapt, translate, rent, lease, lend or manufacture the App or parts of the App, as well as products derived from it. It is also prohibited to make the source code of the software on which the App is based accessible.
  3. The User is not authorized to separate the components of the App. Copyright notices, serial numbers and other features serving to identify the program may not be removed or altered under any circumstances. The copyright covers in particular the program code, the documentation, the appearance, the structure and organization of the program files, the program name, logos and other forms of presentation within the App. Any unauthorized duplication, use, distribution, modification or reproduction of the content of the App is prohibited.
  4. The right to use the App may only be transferred to third parties with the written consent of scienceOS UG. The User shall not be entitled to transfer the App or associated written material to third parties or otherwise make it accessible without the prior written consent of scienceOS UG.
  5. The input of special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9 GDPR by the User is not permitted.
  6. The user is not permitted to access the application automatically or programmatically.

13. Right of Withdrawal

  1. (1) Users who use the App as consumers within the meaning of Section 13 BGB have the right to withdraw from this contract within fourteen (14) days without giving any reason. The withdrawal period shall be fourteen (14) days from the date of conclusion of the contract. In order to exercise their right of withdrawal, the User must inform scienceOS UG of their decision to withdraw from this contract by means of a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post or an email). The user can use the sample withdrawal form provided at the following link, which is not mandatory: https://www.scienceos.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250312_Muster-Widerrufsformular.pdf. To comply with the withdrawal period, it is sufficient for the User to send the notification of the exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
  2. If the User revokes this contract, scienceOS UG shall repay all payments that scienceOS UG has received from the User immediately and at the latest within fourteen (14) days from the day on which scienceOS UG receives notification of the User’s revocation of this contract. For this repayment, scienceOS UG shall use the same means of payment that the User used for the original transaction, unless expressly agreed otherwise with the User; in no case shall the User be charged any fees for this repayment.
  3. The right of revocation shall expire prematurely if scienceOS UG has provided the service in full and has only begun to perform the service after the User has given their expressed consent to this and at the same time confirmed their knowledge that they shall lose their right of revocation upon complete fulfillment of the contract by scienceOS UG.

14. Final Provisions

  1. Amendments and supplements to these Terms of Use shall be offered to the User in text form no later than two months before the proposed date of their entry into force. The amendments and/or additions offered by scienceOS UG shall become effective if the User accepts them. The User shall be deemed to have accepted them if they have not indicated their rejection before the proposed date of entry into force of the amendments and/or additions.
  2. Should a provision or part of a provision of these Terms of Use be or become invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. The invalid provision shall be replaced by an appropriate provision that comes closest to what the parties would have wanted if they had considered the point.
  3. The exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes relating to these Terms of Use shall be the registered office of scienceOS UG. The Terms of Use are subject to German law.