Terms of use of the iba digital platform
On the iba digital platform (hereinafter the “digital platform”), providers publish their own content. Visitors to the digital platform can access information. Visitors may also create a free account and thereby become members (hereinafter “Members”) in order to use additional features.
The operator of the digital platform is GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH (hereinafter the “Operator”). These Terms of Use govern the rights and obligations of the Operator and the Members in connection with the digital platform. Further information on data protection can be found in the Privacy Policy.
1. Functions and services
1.1 The Operator provides the digital platform to visitors and Members for viewing. The available functions and services depend on the platform’s accessibility at the time of use, as well as any descriptions the Operator has published about specific features and services. There is no entitlement to use the platform or any particular function or service.
1.2 Visitors can voluntarily create a free account to become Members. Members can access additional features of the digital platform via their account.
1.3 Members can use various features to prepare for their trade fair visit. This includes, among other things, creating a personal favorites list, registering for events, contacting providers and provider representatives, and receiving personalized recommendations for their trade fair visit. If available, Members or providers may scan a Member’s QR code — with the Member’s prior consent — to access the Member’s contact details, including their email address.
1.4 If available, Members can access selected content and sections of the digital platform that are not accessible to non-registered visitors.
1.5 Members can follow topics and providers. Based on the topics and providers followed, and based on platform behavior, the digital platform generates a personalized newsfeed and personalized recommendations for the Member’s trade fair visit. Members also receive regular personalized updates via email. Members may object to receiving such emails at any time (“opt-out”). The legal basis for this data processing is § 7 (3) of the German Act Against Unfair Competition (UWG) in conjunction with our overriding legitimate interest under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.
1.6 By creating an account (becoming a Member), Members receive a public Member profile on the digital platform. Members can deactivate their public profile at any time; in that case, they will not have a public profile. Members with public profiles can find and view other public profiles and be found and viewed by others. If available, they can also view other public profiles of event participants. Providers with the appropriate functionality can see which Members have viewed or interacted with their content. For Members with public profiles, providers see the profile data; for Members without public profiles, only limited, anonymized data is shown.
1.7 Members with public profiles can send messages to other Members with public profiles. Members may deactivate the messaging function at any time. Once deactivated, they can no longer send or receive messages.
1.8 The Operator is entitled to adapt and further develop the digital platform as a whole or individual functions and services. Members will be informed in an appropriate form about any relevant changes.
2. Account
2.1 Visitors who create an account as Members must provide accurate and complete information at all times. Registration with false or fictitious information is prohibited. The Operator is entitled — also retrospectively — to verify Member information and request additional data.
2.2 Registration is limited to natural persons with full legal capacity. Members must be 18 years of age or older unless they have obtained the prior express consent of a legal representative. Members are required to keep their login credentials confidential and to use the digital platform solely on their own behalf.
2.3 Members can delete their account at any time under “My Account.”
3. Use
3.1 Members are required to use the digital platform lawfully and only as intended.
3.2 Members may only enter or publish content that is legally compliant — for example, in their provider profile or when contacting providers or other Members. In particular, they must not publish any content that is discriminatory, false, misleading, racist, harmful, criminal, or unsafe.
3.3 The Operator monitors how many messages Members send. If there is a suspicion that Members are sending spam, the Operator may analyze the messages and take appropriate action.
3.4 It is prohibited to collect or publish content that infringes intellectual property rights, personal rights, or other rights of third parties — for example, images that violate third-party copyrights or the right to one’s own image. Members must assume that content from the Operator, providers, and other Members is protected by copyright and other legal provisions.
3.5 The Operator is entitled at any time to immediately block access to the digital platform for individual Members in the event of a violation of these Terms of Use or suspected unlawful or improper use. The Operator may issue a warning at its own discretion but is not obligated to do so.
3.6 The availability of the digital platform may be temporarily, partially, or completely disrupted — particularly for technical reasons. The Operator is entitled to suspend access for maintenance purposes. While the Operator strives for the highest possible availability, no guarantee can be given.
3.7 The Operator is not obligated to monitor Member or provider behavior on the platform. In particular, the Operator is not required to proactively check the legality or admissibility of content. The Operator accepts no responsibility for the content of Members or providers. In the case of inquiries, complaints, or other third-party notifications regarding potentially unlawful or unauthorized content, the Operator adheres to the Code of Conduct Hosting (CCH).
4. Liability
4.1 The Operator is liable for direct damages caused by gross negligence or intent. Any further liability of the Operator for direct damages is expressly and fully excluded. The Operator is also not liable for indirect damages, consequential damages, lost profits, or claims by other Members or third parties. Liability for auxiliary persons is excluded.
4.2 Members are fully and independently liable — regardless of fault — to the Operator and any third parties for all direct and indirect costs and damages arising from violations of these Terms of Use or in connection with the digital platform. This includes indemnifying the Operator against all claims by other Members or third parties and covering all costs — including legal and court fees — as well as direct and indirect damages incurred by the Operator.
4.3 The limitation of liability under these Terms of Use applies regardless of the legal basis. Any mandatory liability — particularly for gross negligence, intent, or under applicable data protection laws — remains unaffected.
5. Final provisions
5.1 Automated access to the digital platform — for example, using bots, scripts, or similar tools — is prohibited. The Operator may grant exceptions, such as the use of APIs.
5.2 The Operator is entitled to change these Terms of Use at any time without providing reasons. Members will be informed of significant changes in an appropriate manner.
5.3 These Terms of Use are governed exclusively by German law. The place of performance and jurisdiction is the registered office of the Operator, provided the Member is not a consumer. For consumer disputes, the competent court shall be the one at the domicile or place of business of either party.