Acknowledgment of Risk and Release and Waiver Of Liability
By clicking “I Agree” on the RITEC Community of Practice registration form, I acknowledge that there are certain risks inherent in participating in the Community of Practice, a peer network of designers, product leads, and trust & safety professionals applying RITEC principles in their own work, facilitated day to day by The Joan Ganz Cooney Center for Educational Media and Research, Inc. (“JGCC”). The Community of Practice serves as a practitioner-led engine for translating RITEC research and guidance into design practice, enabling peer learning, co-creation, and iterative uptake of RITEC principles across the gaming industry to design better digital play experiences for kids. Members connect through quarterly virtual meetings (via Zoom), an annual in-person summit tied to an aligned industry event, and Slack. My participation in the Community of Practice, including all of those meetings, summits, and channels, is referred to in this document as the “Activity.”
Acknowledgement of Risk:
1. I hereby acknowledge and agree that none of the Releasees (as defined below) requires my participation in the Activity and that my participation in the Activity is totally voluntary and contains inherent risks. I agree that I will not represent myself or the Activity as representing the Releasees in any way.
2. I fully understand and appreciate the dangers, hazards and risks inherent in participating in the Activity and in any actions, I undertake during the time period in which I am participating in (whether or not associated with my direct participation) the Activity, which dangers include but are not limited to bodily injury, broken bones, paralysis, sprains, lacerations, concussions, contusions, loss of limbs, and even death. I understand and agree that none of the Releasees has medical personnel at the location of the Activity and assumes no responsibility for injury or damage which arises out of or in connection with any third-party emergency medical treatment. Knowing the dangers, hazards, and risks of such Activity, including physical injury, death, or disability, I accept the risk and responsibilities mentioned herein by choosing to participate in the Activity. I assume all risks, known and unknown, in any way connected with my participation in the Activity, including my occupancy of any facility owned, controlled, or occupied by any of the Releasees.
3. I have made my own investigation of the risks described above, understand these risks and assume them knowingly and willingly. With full knowledge of the risks and liabilities associated with the Activity, I have made the independent judgment to participate voluntarily in the Activity.
Release and Waiver of Liability and Covenant not to Sue
I agree that each of the Releasees is not responsible if anything happens to me or to my property in connection with my participation in the Activity. Knowing the risks and dangers associated with the Activity and in consideration for being permitted to participate in the Activity, I also agree, to the maximum extent permitted by law:
1. to release and discharge each of the Releasees from any liability or responsibility for any personal or bodily injury (including death), economic injury, and for any damage to or loss of property, however caused, that I suffer as a result of or in connection with my participation in the Activity, including, but not limited to, any injury, loss or damage resulting from or arising out of the negligent acts or omissions of employees, agents, or servants of each of the Releasees; and
2. not to raise any claim or institute any legal action or proceeding against each of the Releasees that I have ever had, now have, or may have in the future or which my heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns may have, or claim to have, for any cause of action that may result from or arise out of my participation in the Activity, including, but not limited to, any cause of action that may result from or arise out of the negligent acts or omissions of employees, agents or servants of each of the Releasees.
Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by law, I agree, for myself and my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless each of the Releasees from and against all suits, actions, claims, demands, losses, and damages (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) to the extent arising from my acts or omissions in connection with my participation in the Activity.
Moderation and Removal. I understand that JGCC may moderate, edit, or remove content and may remove members or end access under the Community Rules, and that those decisions are final. To the maximum extent permitted by law, I agree not to bring any claim against the Releasees arising from those decisions.
In this form, “Releasees” means JGCC, its affiliates, including Sesame Workshop, and the “Community of Practice” funders and partners, including The LEGO Group, the LEGO Foundation, UNICEF and Games for Change, as well as the organizers, hosts, and venue operators of any in-person summit, and all provisions of this Release will inure to the benefit of the Releasees and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, servants and representatives.
Scope and Duration. This Release applies to my participation in the Activity from the date I click “I Agree” until I leave the Community of Practice, including the quarterly virtual meetings, the annual in-person summit, member-organized meetups, and Slack and other online channels. I understand that the Releasees do not organize, supervise, or control member-organized meetups or the acts of other members or third parties, and that I participate in those at my own risk. I understand that I may also be asked to sign event-specific waivers for the in-person summit or other events, which will be in addition to this Release.
Related Terms. This Release is in addition to, and does not replace, the RITEC Community of Practice Operator’s Manual and Community Rules and the data consent and privacy notice or any other document that I accept separately. Nothing in this Release limits my rights under that data consent and privacy notice, including my right to update or withdraw my consent. If this Release conflicts with the Operator’s Manual on the subject of liability, this Release controls.
This Release will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, United States, applicable to contracts entered into and intended to be performed solely within the State of New York. I will submit to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New York County, New York State, for the resolution of disputes arising hereunder or relating hereto, regardless of the place of execution hereof. If any part of this agreement is found to be void by law, the remaining provisions of this agreement will nevertheless be binding with the same effect as though the void portions were deleted. This Release binds me and my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.
Nothing in or relating to this Release is a waiver, express or implied, of any of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, including UNICEF.
I have read this document and understand its contents. I have had the opportunity to ask JGCC any questions about the Activity and this Release. I am at least 18 years old, and I have full authority to execute this Release and have executed this Release voluntarily and of my own free will. I understand that I am giving up substantial rights by signing, and I have had the opportunity to consult with an attorney of my choosing before signing. By clicking “I Agree,” I am signing this document electronically and agreeing to be bound by it, and I agree that my electronic acceptance has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.