QIST Foundation — Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of These Terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of websites, documents, and other materials made available by QIST Foundation ("QIST", "we", "our"). By accessing or using any QIST web property, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you should not use QIST websites or materials.

2. Nature of QIST Services

QIST operates as an independent, unincorporated global research initiative dedicated to scientific work in quantum information science, secure computation, distributed intelligence, and related fields.

QIST does not operate user accounts, login systems, transactional services, or financial platforms. All QIST materials are provided for informational and scientific purposes only and should not be treated as professional advice of any kind.

3. Permitted and Prohibited Uses

You may use QIST websites and materials only to:

• Learn about QIST research, technology, and initiatives
• Reference or cite materials for academic or educational work
• Inform independent research, standards development, or technical exploration

You may not use QIST websites or materials to:

• Conduct or promote illegal activities
• Misrepresent your relationship with QIST or imply QIST endorsement where none exists
• Operate or market token sales, investment schemes, or financial products using QIST branding or research
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to QIST systems or disrupt their normal operation

Where QIST offers community features (such as events, workshops, working groups, contributor onboarding, or newsletters), your participation in those spaces must follow these Terms and any published Community Standards. QIST may limit or end participation in specific programs if these expectations are not followed.

4. Intellectual Property and Content Use

Unless otherwise indicated, QIST and its contributors retain all intellectual property rights in the text, diagrams, models, graphics, and other materials published on QIST websites.

You may reference or quote QIST materials for academic, research, or news purposes with appropriate attribution. You may not present QIST materials as your own work, remove attribution, or use QIST branding, diagrams, or content in a way that suggests sponsorship or endorsement without prior written permission from QIST.

Where QIST releases open-source software or code, that material will be governed by the license terms provided with the relevant repository or distribution. In the event of a conflict between these Terms and a specific software license, the software license will control your use of that code.

If you choose to submit feedback, suggestions, or other voluntary contributions through QIST websites or community programs, you grant QIST a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, adapt, and publish that material for purposes consistent with QIST's research and public-benefit mission. Contributions are provided on a voluntary basis and do not create an entitlement to compensation, employment, or formal collaboration.

5. No Financial, Investment, or Token Services

QIST does not issue tokens, operate token sales, manage digital assets, or provide investment, financial, or trading services. QIST does not provide investment advice or solicit investment in any digital asset or financial instrument.

Any use of QIST materials to support financial or token-related activities is undertaken entirely at the user's own risk and is outside the scope of QIST's mandate.

6. Third-Party Links and Resources

QIST websites may contain links to external sites, protocols, repositories, or other resources operated by independent parties. QIST does not control and is not responsible for the content, security, or practices of those third-party resources.

7. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

QIST materials are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, QIST and its contributors disclaim all liability arising from or related to your use of QIST websites, research, or other materials.

These Terms operate together with QIST's Legal Disclaimer. If there is any inconsistency between these Terms and the Legal Disclaimer with respect to risk and liability, the more protective provision for QIST will apply.

8. Changes to These Terms

QIST may update these Terms from time to time, for example to reflect changes in its activities, governance, or legal status. When that occurs, the Effective Date at the top of this page will be updated. Continued use of QIST websites after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

9. Future Cayman Foundation

QIST is in the process of preparing for future establishment as a nonprofit foundation in the Cayman Islands. Upon formal incorporation, additional governance, contributor, and legal documents may supplement or refine these Terms.

10. Contact

For questions about these Terms or QIST websites, contact:

contact@qist.foundation