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Terms of Use

Rules of the road

These terms govern your use of Costa Rica Species. They are written in plain language — please read them before using the platform.

Last updated: April 2026

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Costa Rica Species (costaricaspecies.com), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform. These terms apply to all visitors, registered users, and contributors.

Use of the Catalog

You may:

  • Browse, search, and view species, habitat, and protected area data for personal or educational use.
  • Share links to individual species or habitat pages on social media or other platforms.
  • Cite Costa Rica Species as a source in academic, journalistic, or educational work, with proper attribution.
  • Use photos explicitly marked as Creative Commons according to their stated license.

You may not:

  • Systematically scrape, copy, or download our database for commercial use without prior written permission.
  • Misrepresent, alter, or decontextualize scientific data obtained from this catalog.
  • Use automated tools to index or access the platform beyond what standard search engines do.
  • Build competing databases or derivative products using our editorial content without authorization.
  • Use the platform in any way that could damage, disable, or impair our servers or infrastructure.

User Accounts

  • Eligibility — You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. By registering, you confirm that the information you provide is accurate and current.
  • Security — You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use.
  • Termination — We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, misuse the platform, or submit false, harmful, or copyrighted content without authorization.

User-Contributed Content

  • Ownership — You retain ownership of any content you submit. By submitting, you grant Costa Rica Species a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display, distribute, and use your content within the platform.
  • Accuracy — You are responsible for the accuracy of any species data, photos, or information you contribute. Deliberately false or misleading submissions may result in content removal and account termination.
  • Original work only — Only submit content that you own or have explicit rights to share. Do not upload copyrighted photos or data without permission from the rights holder.

Intellectual Property

  • Platform design & code — The design, source code, original text, and branding of Costa Rica Species are the property of Imagine Paradise and are protected by copyright law.
  • Species data — Factual biodiversity data — scientific names, taxonomic classifications, and distribution ranges — is not copyrightable. Our curated descriptions and editorial content are.
  • Photography — Each photo displays its license terms. Unless explicitly marked as Creative Commons, all photos remain under the copyright of their respective authors.

Accuracy Disclaimer

Costa Rica Species is an independent catalog maintained by volunteers and contributors. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all species data, classifications, range maps, or descriptions are current or error-free. Taxonomy is a dynamic science — classifications change, species are revised, and new discoveries emerge continuously. Do not rely solely on this catalog for scientific, medical, legal, or conservation decisions. Always verify critical information against peer-reviewed sources.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Costa Rica Species and Imagine Paradise shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform — including but not limited to errors in species information, data loss, or service interruption. The platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied.

Governing Law & Changes

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Costa Rica. We may update these terms at any time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page always reflects the current version. Continued use of the platform after any change constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. For questions about these terms, contact us at: legal@costaricaspecies.com

Questions about these terms? Use the Report or Suggestion buttons in the footer — our team reviews every message.

Terms of Use