These General Terms and Conditions ("Terms") form a legal agreement between you ("User") and YellowMark Publishing House ("YellowMark," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms govern your use of our websites, submission systems, and all related platforms and services.

1. Who We Are

YellowMark Publishing House is an independent, U.S.-registered open-access scholarly publisher committed to advancing transparent, ethical, and fast-track academic publishing. Our mission is to create a fair and inclusive publishing ecosystem that supports high-quality, peer-reviewed research accessible to all.

Founded with the goal of bridging innovation and integrity, YellowMark currently publishes the following open-access journals:

• Journal of Integrative Biomedical Research (active)
• Global Energy Research (upcoming)
• Journal of Robotic Surgery and Innovation (upcoming)

All journals are hosted under the YellowMark Publishing House platform, collectively referred to as "Journals." References to "Website" or "Websites" include all online portals, author dashboards, reviewer systems, and associated domains operated by YellowMark Publishing House.

2. Scope and Applicability

These Terms apply to all interactions between you and YellowMark Publishing House, whether or not you are a registered user. By visiting, using, or interacting with our Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, Copyright Policy, and any Author or Reviewer Guidelines applicable to specific Journals.

If any Journal has additional specific conditions, those will be published on its respective page. In case of inconsistency, the Journal-specific terms will prevail only for that Journal.

Your right to use our Website or services depends on your compliance with these Terms and other applicable policies.

3. Registration and User Accounts

You may register as a user on our Website to access certain features such as manuscript submission, peer review participation, and tracking article status.

Eligibility:

• Only natural persons aged 18 or above may register.
• You must register in your own name and provide accurate, current, and complete information.
• Each user may hold only one account.
• YellowMark reserves the right to verify information, refuse registration, or deactivate accounts at its discretion, with or without notice.

Account Security:

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account details. If you suspect unauthorized access, you must change your password immediately and notify us at support@yellowmark.org. YellowMark is not responsible for any loss or damage arising from failure to secure your account credentials.

4. User Rights and Responsibilities

By registering or using the YellowMark platform, you agree that:

• You have read, understood, and accepted these Terms, the Privacy Policy, and the Copyright Statement.
• You will comply with ethical publishing practices and academic integrity standards.
• You understand that YellowMark reserves full discretion regarding the acceptance, rejection, or removal of submitted content.
• You will not upload, distribute, or transmit material that violates any applicable law, infringes intellectual property rights, or breaches confidentiality.
• YellowMark may, without prior notice, remove any content or restrict access to any part of its Website if deemed necessary to protect its integrity or users' interests.

5. Communication and Notifications

By registering with YellowMark or submitting any content, you consent to receive communication from us, including emails related to:

• Submission status and editorial decisions
• Account management and platform updates
• Policy changes or mandatory notifications

You may opt out of marketing or newsletter communications, but administrative and legal notifications are mandatory for all registered users. If you no longer wish to maintain an account, please contact support@yellowmark.org to request closure.

6. Ownership of Website, Software, and Content; Trademarks

YellowMark Publishing House ("YellowMark") is the sole owner of the yellowmark.org website, all associated subdomains, and the software systems that constitute its submission and publishing platform. All copyright, database, and intellectual property rights in these assets—including the website design, user interface, layout, and functionality—belong to YellowMark Publishing House.

Each Journal published under YellowMark (including Journal of Integrative Biomedical Research, Global Energy Research, and Journal of Robotic Surgery and Innovation) is owned and managed by YellowMark Publishing House. The combination of content, website design, and branding for each Journal is the property of YellowMark.

However, YellowMark does not claim ownership of the copyright in any article submitted to or published by its Journals. Authors (or their employers/funders, as applicable) retain copyright of their published articles. Please refer to our Copyright Policy for full details.

"YellowMark" and the YellowMark Publishing House logo are registered trademarks or trademark applications of YellowMark Publishing House, USA. Names and logos of individual Journals are trade names owned by YellowMark Publishing House.

7. Licenses (Permissions) Granted by Authors

By submitting an article (including abstract, figures, and supplementary files) to any YellowMark Journal, you grant to YellowMark and to the public a permanent, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-revocable license to:

• publish, display, distribute, reproduce, adapt, store, and re-use the article in any format;
• create derivative works from it; and
• archive and disseminate it through indexing services, repositories, and other scholarly databases.

This license is granted under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) unless otherwise stated for a specific Journal. Under this license, others may copy, distribute, and adapt your work for any purpose, provided proper attribution is given to you and citation to YellowMark as the original publisher is included.

Full license details: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Authors are responsible for ensuring they hold the necessary rights and permissions for all materials (including figures, tables, and third-party content) incorporated in their submission.

All article and journal metadata—such as journal name, ISSN, DOI, title, author affiliations, keywords, funding information, and publication dates—are considered public data and are made available under a CC0 (public domain) license, facilitating free scholarly use and citation.

8. Conditions for Submission of Articles for Peer-Reviewed Publication

By submitting an article to any YellowMark Journal, you confirm and warrant that:

• The article is original and not under consideration by any other journal.
• All co-authors have approved the submission and agree to these Terms.
• Necessary permissions have been obtained from copyright holders, employers, and funders.
• The work adheres to the highest ethical and scientific standards.
• All human and animal research complies with institutional and national ethics guidelines (e.g., Declaration of Helsinki) and includes appropriate ethical approval and consent statements.
• All potential conflicts of interest and funding sources are disclosed in the article.
• Authorship criteria follow the standards outlined in YellowMark's Author Guidelines.

Acceptance and Publication

Acceptance of an article is entirely at YellowMark's discretion, following editorial and peer-review processes. Once accepted, articles will undergo final production and publication after payment of the Article Processing Charge (APC) applicable to the respective Journal. APCs are listed on the Journal's website.

YellowMark reserves the right to retract or remove published articles that are found to breach ethical, legal, or scientific integrity standards.

Publication Permanence

Once published, articles remain permanently accessible as part of the scholarly record, except in cases of formal retraction or correction. Published metadata and archives may remain visible even if a full-text article is withdrawn.

9. User Rights and Restrictions

Registered and unregistered users may access and use open functionalities of the Website under these Terms. Certain areas—such as submission portals, reviewer dashboards, and editor tools—are restricted to registered users with appropriate roles.

Users may link to YellowMark content from reputable websites, provided such links do not misrepresent or harm YellowMark's reputation. YellowMark reserves the right to request removal of links or content at its discretion.

Uploading or sharing any unlawful, misleading, or copyrighted materials without permission is strictly prohibited.

10. Content Rules

All content submitted to or hosted by YellowMark Publishing House ("YellowMark")—including but not limited to articles, supplementary materials, figures, tables, reviews, comments, communications, and metadata—must meet the following standards:

10.1 Accuracy and Originality

• All submissions must be original, accurate, and supported by verifiable evidence.
• Authors must not fabricate, falsify, or manipulate data, figures, or results.
• Plagiarism—including self-plagiarism and duplicate publication—is strictly prohibited.

10.2 Academic Standards

• Submissions must follow accepted academic and citation practices, including full and accurate references for all cited works.
• Text should be written in clear, scholarly English and formatted per YellowMark's Author Guidelines.
• All co-authors must meet authorship criteria, and contributions should be transparently acknowledged.

10.3 Ethical and Legal Compliance

• Research involving humans or animals must comply with internationally recognized ethical standards (e.g., the Declaration of Helsinki, IACUC, or equivalent institutional review board approvals).
• All required ethical approvals and informed consent statements must be included.

10.4 Copyright and Permissions

• Authors must ensure they hold full rights to all submitted materials (including figures, images, and datasets).
• Use of third-party content (e.g., previously published figures or data) requires explicit written permission from copyright owners.

10.5 Prohibited Content

Content must not:

• Violate copyright, privacy, or intellectual property rights;
• Contain defamatory, discriminatory, hateful, obscene, or threatening language;
• Promote political, religious, or ideological propaganda;
• Include advertisements or commercial solicitations;
• Breach confidentiality or contain unpublished third-party data without authorization;
• Include AI-generated text or images without transparent disclosure and editorial permission.

10.6 Editorial Rights

• YellowMark reserves the right to edit, remove, or retract content at any time if it violates these policies, ethical standards, or applicable laws.
• Retraction or correction notices will be publicly posted and permanently linked to the affected article.

11. Advertising and Sponsorship

11.1 Advertising

• YellowMark does not host third-party advertising on its websites or within journal content.
• We maintain a strict separation between editorial and commercial interests to protect the integrity and independence of scientific communication.

11.2 Sponsorship and Collaborations

• Sponsorships may be accepted only for specific special issues, thematic collections, or conferences under clear ethical oversight and full transparency.
• Sponsored content will be clearly labeled to ensure no confusion with peer-reviewed research.
• Sponsors will not influence editorial decisions, peer review, or acceptance outcomes.

11.3 Conflict of Interest

• Editors, reviewers, and authors must disclose any financial or institutional conflicts that could affect objectivity.
• Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to editorial@yellowmark.org for review and approval by the managing editorial board.

12. Website Availability, Security, and Maintenance

12.1 Availability

• YellowMark aims to provide continuous, 24/7 access to its website and publishing systems.
• Temporary interruptions may occur due to scheduled maintenance, security updates, or unforeseen technical issues.
• YellowMark is not liable for delays or data loss arising from such interruptions.

12.2 Data Security

• We use modern encryption and cybersecurity protocols to protect personal and research data.
• Despite these measures, YellowMark cannot guarantee that the website will be completely free from cyberattacks, viruses, or unauthorized access.
• Users are responsible for maintaining strong passwords and using secure devices when accessing our systems.

12.3 Backups and Data Retention

• All published content is backed up on secure servers.
• However, users are encouraged to retain personal copies of submitted manuscripts and related materials.

13. Prohibited Activities

Users must not engage in the following actions:

• Unauthorized Access – Attempting to access, modify, or damage other users' accounts, or YellowMark's systems.
• Identity Misrepresentation – Falsifying author details, affiliations, or peer reviewer identities.
• Cybersecurity Violations – Introducing malware, ransomware, or malicious scripts into the system.
• Data Exploitation – Using automated bots or scrapers to extract large volumes of content or metadata without written permission.
• Commercial Misuse – Promoting products, services, or unrelated commercial interests on the platform.
• Academic Misconduct – Engaging in plagiarism, fake authorship, citation manipulation, or data fabrication.
• Harassment or Abuse – Sending offensive messages to editors, reviewers, or staff, or misusing the submission platform for non-scholarly purposes.

14. Text and Data Mining (TDM)

YellowMark supports responsible and transparent text and data mining of its open-access content for scholarly, non-commercial use, provided that:

• Mining respects the licensing terms (CC BY 4.0 or CC0).
• Mining activities do not degrade the performance of YellowMark servers.
• Appropriate attribution and DOI citation are provided for all mined content.

For large-scale or automated mining requests, researchers must contact support@yellowmark.org to arrange structured access. Commercial TDM projects require explicit written consent.

15. Infringement of Rights

If you believe your intellectual property, personal data, or moral rights have been violated by any material published by YellowMark:

1. Send a detailed written notice to claims@yellowmark.org.
2. Include:
   • The title, DOI, or URL of the infringing content;
   • A description of the alleged infringement;
   • Proof of ownership or authorization; and
   • Your full contact information.

YellowMark will review the claim promptly and may temporarily remove the disputed content while an investigation is conducted.

16. Breach of Terms

16.1 Definition of Breach

A breach of these Terms occurs when a user violates, fails to comply with, or acts in contradiction to any of the provisions, policies, or obligations outlined herein. This includes but is not limited to breaches of academic integrity, data privacy violations, or improper conduct on YellowMark platforms.

16.2 Consequences of Breach

YellowMark reserves the right, at its absolute discretion and without prior notice, to take one or more of the following actions:

• Account Suspension or Termination – Temporarily suspend or permanently terminate the user's account, including access to submission, review, and editorial systems.
• Restriction of Access – Block the user's ability to access any part of YellowMark's website, systems, or affiliated portals.
• Content Removal or Retraction – Remove submitted or published material found to violate these Terms or ethical publication standards.
• Notification to Third Parties – Notify relevant parties such as academic institutions, research funders, professional organizations, or governmental authorities regarding the breach.
• Legal Action – Pursue legal remedies, including claims for damages, where warranted by the severity of the breach.

16.3 Final and Binding Decisions

All decisions regarding breaches, including account suspension, article retraction, or disciplinary measures, are final and binding. YellowMark is under no obligation to provide a detailed justification beyond the summary of grounds for the action taken.

17. Exclusion of Users

17.1 Grounds for Exclusion

YellowMark reserves the right to refuse or revoke access, registration, or participation in any of its platforms or Journals for any of the following reasons:

• Proven or suspected violation of academic integrity, such as data falsification, plagiarism, or manipulation of peer review;
• Submission of false or misleading information during registration or article submission;
• History of unethical conduct with YellowMark or other publishers;
• Repeated breaches of submission or reviewer guidelines;
• Harassment or abuse toward staff, editors, reviewers, or other users;
• Misuse of platform tools for spam, self-promotion, or solicitation.

17.2 Process and Notification

In most cases, YellowMark will issue a written warning or notice of investigation. However, in severe or urgent cases (such as cyberattacks, harassment, or ethical misconduct), exclusion may occur immediately and without prior notice.

17.3 Consequences of Exclusion

Excluded users may lose:

• Access to all YellowMark platforms and journals;
• The right to submit, review, or edit manuscripts; and
• The right to claim recognition or affiliation with YellowMark.

Reinstatement may be considered upon written appeal, at YellowMark's sole discretion.

18. Modification of Terms

18.1 Right to Modify

YellowMark reserves the right to amend, update, or revise these Terms and related policies—including but not limited to the Privacy Policy, Copyright Policy, Open Access Policy, and Author Guidelines—to reflect:

• Changes in applicable laws or regulatory requirements;
• Evolving technological, editorial, or business practices;
• Adjustments to ensure continued legal compliance or ethical publishing standards.

18.2 Notification and Effective Date

Updated versions of these Terms will be published on the official YellowMark website, with a clear effective date displayed at the top of the document. In certain cases, registered users may be notified by email or system alert regarding material changes.

18.3 User Responsibility

Continued use of the YellowMark website or submission system following any update constitutes full and binding acceptance of the revised Terms. If a user does not agree to the updated Terms, they must cease all use of YellowMark platforms and request account deletion by contacting support@yellowmark.org.

19. Disclaimer of Warranties

19.1 General Disclaimer

All services, websites, and content provided by YellowMark are made available "as is" and "as available", without warranties or representations of any kind—express or implied.

19.2 No Guarantee of Accuracy or Completeness

While every effort is made to maintain accuracy, YellowMark does not guarantee that published content, data, or metadata are error-free, complete, or current. Users rely on all published material at their own discretion and risk.

19.3 No Warranty of Availability

YellowMark does not guarantee uninterrupted, timely, or secure access to its platforms. Downtime or interruptions may occur due to maintenance, upgrades, or circumstances beyond YellowMark's control.

19.4 No Warranty Against Viruses

YellowMark takes appropriate security precautions but cannot guarantee the website will be free from viruses, cyberattacks, or other harmful components. Users are responsible for using adequate virus protection and maintaining secure systems.

19.5 Disclaimer of Implied Warranties

All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement, are expressly disclaimed to the fullest extent permitted by law.

20. Limitation of Liability

20.1 General Limitation

To the maximum extent permitted by law, YellowMark, its directors, officers, employees, editors, reviewers, contractors, or affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, revenue, or anticipated savings;
• Loss or corruption of data or content;
• Damage to hardware or software;
• Business interruption or reputational loss.

20.2 Maximum Liability

If liability is established under any applicable law, YellowMark's total liability shall not exceed the total Article Processing Charge (APC) paid by the author or institution for the affected article.

20.3 Exclusions

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by negligence;
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
• Willful misconduct or gross negligence under applicable law.

21. Claim Period

Any claim, complaint, or cause of action arising out of or relating to these Terms, including issues related to publication, submission, or user access, must be initiated within one (1) year from the date the event giving rise to the claim occurred. Failure to initiate a claim within this period shall permanently bar the claim, regardless of the legal theory under which it is brought.

22. Non-Enforcement

22.1 No Waiver of Rights

Failure or delay by YellowMark to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right or any other rights under these Terms.

22.2 Independent Validity

If any clause of these Terms is found invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions, which will remain in full force and effect.

23. Third-Party Rights

These Terms are intended solely for the benefit of the contracting parties—namely, the user (author, reviewer, or editor) and YellowMark Publishing House. No third party (including co-authors not directly registered) shall have any rights to enforce or benefit from these Terms under any legal theory, except as expressly provided herein.

24. Force Majeure

24.1 Definition

Neither YellowMark nor the user shall be held liable for failure or delay in fulfilling obligations if such failure results from events beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods, hurricanes);
• Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies;
• Acts of government, legal prohibitions, or regulatory restrictions;
• Strikes, labor disputes, or civil unrest;
• Terrorist acts, cyberattacks, or data breaches;
• Power failures, network outages, or technical malfunctions.

24.2 Obligations During Force Majeure

Parties affected by a force majeure event must:

• Notify the other party promptly in writing;
• Take all reasonable steps to minimize delay or damage; and
• Resume performance of obligations as soon as reasonably possible.

If the event continues for more than 60 days, either party may terminate the affected obligations without penalty.

25. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

25.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute arising under them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

25.2 Jurisdiction

All disputes, claims, or proceedings arising out of or relating to these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Somerset County, New Jersey.

25.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be construed to reflect the original intent of the parties to the maximum extent permissible, and all remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

25.4 Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between YellowMark and the user with respect to access and use of YellowMark's websites, services, and Journals. They supersede any prior agreements, representations, or communications, whether written or oral.

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Effective Date: October 28, 2025

YellowMark Publishing House
📍 6 A Reler Ln, Somerset, NJ 08873, United States
📧 support@yellowmark.org
🌐 www.yellowmark.org