Grade D — Sign with caution (score 58/100)
ORCID forces users into binding arbitration and claims a perpetual, irrevocable license to all user-deposited data, while reserving the right to modify terms without direct notice.
Forced arbitration, perpetual content license, and unilateral term changes.
Except as set forth herein, all Disputes shall be resolved by through a desk arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association... The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on both parties.
You are required to resolve all legal disputes through binding arbitration rather than in a court of law.
Specifically, by depositing any data... you grant ORCID and its users a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to sublicense, reproduce, store, modify, transmit, distribute, publicly perform and publicly display such data... This license continues even after you stop using the Registry.
Once you upload data, you grant a permanent license that you cannot revoke, even if you close your account.
We may modify these Terms and Conditions of Use from time to time by posting a revised version on our Websites and/or Registry. Your continued use... means that you agree to the changes.
The company can change the terms at any time without notifying you, and your continued use constitutes acceptance.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless ORCID... from and against any liability, damage, loss, cost or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees).
You must pay for the company's legal defense and any damages if your use of the service results in a third-party claim.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF THE ORCID PARTIES... EXCEED THE FEES PAID BY YOU TO ORCID.
Since the service is free, this clause effectively limits the company's liability to zero dollars.
Last reviewed 2026-08-01 under rubric v3.5.