Philosophy and Terms of service

Table of content

Philosophy

Our goal in building Matecat was to create a free and open source platform for language service providers. We believe translation professionals should have full control over their own data (translations, translation memories and glossaries) and over the technology they use.

Traditionally, customers, language service providers and translators have been sharing files via emails. This exposes data to any kind of threats as files are downloaded and saved on non-secure computers and available to third parties managing email servers. With Matecat, there is no need to exchange files with anyone: you just share a private and temporary URL to the content you deem necessary to perform a translation job. This approach does not remove all risks involved with data sharing, but limits leaking of confidential data and guarantees the owner has more control over who has access to what data.

Matecat guarantees that your data are safe and available for you to download at any time should you decide to install your custom version of Matecat or switch to another CAT tool. Whether you use the version hosted by us or download the source code and deploy it on your own servers, you have full control over the flow and usage of your data.

Matecat is open source software released under the Lesser General Public License (LGPL) from the Free Software Foundation. Its open source license guarantees that you can download the software, integrate your own TM servers and machine translation engines. If, at any time, you are not happy with the hosted solution, you can create your own translation platform by using the open source version.

Matecat is free and always will be. We earn money through the translation services provided in outsourcing on the platform. Help us supporting Matecat by outsourcing your extra translation projects.

Service Terms and Conditions of Use

Matecat is an open source online Computer Aided Translation tool.

http://www.matecat.com (the Website) is a hosted version of Matecat operated by Translated srl. These terms of use (the Terms and Conditions of Use) refer to the latter. The Website is the property of Translated srl. By accessing or using the Website you confirm your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions of Use and your agreement to be bound by them. If you do not accept these Terms and Conditions of Use, do not use this Website. We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access or use of the Website if either: (a) we reasonably consider that you have breached these Terms and Conditions of Use, or (b) we consider it necessary to do so for security purposes.

Matecat provides a facility to linguistically translate the content of a set of user provided input documents, referred to as “originals”, into a set of output documents, referred to as “downloaded” .

These documents, internally, are split into a collection of sentence pairs (a sentence plus its own translation), referred to as “segments”, each one tagged with the language names, author name (if provided), dates and other metadata.

Matecat uses a third party authentication system provided by Google, which terms of service are available here.

Matecat may use an external translation memory service called MyMemory, which terms of service are available here,  to manage (store and retrieve) segments produced by users.

Open Source Utilization

Matecat is an open source project: all software components are freely available for customization. You can download the code, install it onto your own servers and apply any modification to better serve your business purposes (like, for example, integrating it in your ERP or changing default translation memory server). However, Translated srl does not offer any troubleshooting  for problems arising from your customizations.

Third Party Services

Matecat links by default to MyMemory. Translated srl reserves the right to immediately limit access to MyMemory in the event of unfair usage or with 30 days notice in all other cases. Unfair usage is defined as any workflow process or situation that prevents or hampers the potential outsourcing of translation projects to Translated srl.

Out of the box, Matecat works with XLIFF files only. Additional file formats may be supported with the integration of the Matecat Filters.

Surfing data and cookies

Surfing data

The computer systems and programs used for the website's operation collect some personal data whose transmission is implicit in the use of Internet communication protocols (e.g. IP addresses or domain names of computers used by users who connect to the site, URI [Uniform Resource Identifiers] of resources requested, the time of request, method used to submit the request to the server, file size obtained in response, numerical code for the status of the response submitted by the server – successful, error, etc., and other parameters relating to the user's operating system and computer environment). Although this sort of information is not collected to be associated with identified users, through processing and in association with data held by third parties, it could by its very nature allow for users to be identified.

These data types are used solely to obtain statistical information pertaining to the website's usage and serve to check the site's correct operation; they are thus not associated with any given user ID and are deleted immediately after processing. The data could be used to ascertain responsibility in the case of computer crimes against the site: with the exception of this eventuality, data on web contacts are currently not held for more than seven days.

Cookies

What are cookies? Cookies are small text files sent by websites visited by users to their computers, storing information that will be retrieved on the next visit to the site. While surfing a given website, users may receive on their computers cookies transmitted from different sites (so-called ‘third-party' cookies), as specific links to the web pages of other domains.

Cookies can be used to for a variety of purposes, depending on the sites on which they are installed; they can be used as a mode of information authentication, to monitoring sessions, or store specific data on users accessing the server.

Types of cookies. Some cookies (‘technical' cookies) are “strictly necessary” to ensure the website's operability or to provide services explicitly requested by the user (e.g. preserving selected travel solutions, memorizing the browser navigation language setting, etc.).

Similarly, the website makes use of another type of cookie (so-called “analytics” cookies) to analyse accesses and visits to the site, solely for statistical purposes, by collecting information in an aggregated form. The use of such cookies does not require consent. However, users can request at any time that analytics cookies be deactivated by following the instructions outlined below. For more information see the Privacy Policy for Google Analytics, Google Adwords.

The website also makes use of cookies to facilitate its fruition (e.g. to store information gathered within a single web browser session and entered by users in forms while surfing through the different pages, or the use of the password memorization function), as well as cookies for collecting information with the aim of directing targeted promotional messages based on user preferences and profiles, even in real time, and developed on the basis of statistics and each user's browsing experience. The installation of such cookies requires the user's prior consent. Users have the right to accept or refuse the use of cookies at any time, or to remove any cookies previously accepted by changing their browser settings.

The following links provide an overview of how to disable cookies on your browser:

However, with cookies disabled on your browser, you will no longer be able to make use of all of the website's services and features.

Trademarks and Logos Fair Usage

You are free to use all trademarks, trade names, logos, brand names and product names provided on the website (Trademarks) in the instance of Matecat installed and published on your server, as long as the usage is non-confusing, non-disparaging and is not tied to commercialization and/or diffusion of merchandise not previously authorized by Translated srl. By non-confusing, we mean that people should always know whom they are dealing with, and where the software they are downloading and/or using comes from. By non-disparaging, we mean that, outside the bounds of fair use, you may not use the “Trademarks” as vehicles for defaming us or sullying our reputation.

All “Trademarks” and related rights are the exclusive property of Translated srl.

Modifications and Rebranding

Any modification made to your copy of Matecat shall be published and/or redistributed with a visible “Powered by Matecat” logo linked to the Matecat website.

Printed Materials, Web Sites and Domain Names

We encourage the use of the “Trademarks” in marketing, and other publicity materials related to Matecat, Translated srl or other Translated srl products and/or services, as long as the logos remain unmodified and the “Trademarks” are distinguishable and reported in proper form.

You must receive written permission from Translated to include all or part of a Matecat trademark in a domain name.

Privacy policy

Definition of public, private and personal data

We will refer as “Public Data” (or “Public Contributions”) to all the segments sent to Matecat and not explicitly marked as private while being contributed to MyMemory.

We will refer as “Private Data” (or “Private Contributions”) to all the segments sent to Matecat and explicitly marked as private (for example, by providing a TM key during project creation) while being contributed to MyMemory.

We will refer as “Personal Data” to all the information provided by the users about their identity

1.       during authentication flows, necessary to access our service;

2.       during web browsing or API consuming, used for tracking purposes.

Information collected during your visit

We collect and store on a long term basis any translation submitted, whether it's public or private.

We collect and store on a long term basis both the originals you submit to us and the segments that originate from them.

We may collect tracking data and send cookies in order to provide a better user experience during your visit.

We may collect information such as IP address, visiting time, duration, etc. for internal logging purposes.

When you log into any of our services, we collect the “Personal Data” you submit in order to provide these services.

Google Auth & Google Drive

With your explicit consent, matecat.com collects and stores information provided through the Google authentication system and Google Drive for long-term use. This collection is essential for delivering the services and features offered by our app. We commit to retaining your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the specific purposes outlined in this privacy policy, except where a longer retention period is mandated or allowed by law.

Should you wish to have your data deleted, we provide a straightforward process for this request. Please contact us at info@matecat.com, and we will facilitate the deletion of your data in accordance with your preferences and applicable regulations.

How we use information we collect

We will not share, sell or transfer “Personal Data” to third parties without users' express consent.

All segments, whether they are “Public Data” or “Private Data”, are collected, processed and used by Matecat to create internal statistics.

Additionally, “Public Data” are used to provide translation matches to other users of the Matecat software.

What information do we share with third parties

Matecat uses external partners to outsource some developments and provide some functionalities: this involves data sharing. External Machine Translation providers is the most obvious example.

We are fully committed to ensure that personal information confidentiality is protected and maintained.

In order to share translation projects among translators, Matecat uses a public access link system: each translation job is represented and accessed by a HTTP link referred to as “Job link”.

From this link is possible to

  1. access and edit the segments related to that job
  2. download a work in progress preview of the translated file
  3. download the “original” file
  4. download the final translated file after all the segments have been completed
  5. display statistics about the work in progress in a separate panel referred to as “Editing log report”
  6. display statistics about sentence repetitions, matches against Translation memory and total billable words in a separate panel referred to as “Volume Analysis report”

Use of the Website

You are permitted to use the Website and the Content only and always in compliance with these Terms and Conditions of Use. Except as permitted by applicable law, you may not and may not permit, assist or allow any third party to (i) copy, reproduce, publish, transmit, distribute, broadcast, perform, upload, post, publicly display, encode, modify or create derivative works from, sell, license or otherwise distribute this Website or any Content, including but not limited to mirroring, framing or linking, to any other computer, server, web site or (ii) access or use this Website or any Content for any advertising or advertising revenue generation activity on your own web site.

You may not use any deep-link, page-scrape, robot, spider or any other automatic or manual processes to access, acquire, copy or monitor the Website or the Content or any portion thereof, or in any way reproduce the structure or presentation of the Website or any Content, or circumvent any copy-protection devices, to obtain or attempt to obtain any materials, documents or information through any means not purposely made available through the Website.

Disclaimer

The materials on the Website are provided on an “as is”, “as available” and “with all faults” basis. Translated srl makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaim and negate all other warranties, including without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, ability to meet your needs, non-infringement of intellectual property or other violation of rights, title, custom, trade, quite enjoyment, system integration and freedom from computer virus as to (a) the Website, (b) Translated's service or (c) security associated with the transmission of information to Mateatc or via services provided by Matecat. Furthermore, Translated srl does not warrant or make any representations concerning the correctness, accuracy, currency, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials on the  Website or otherwise relating to such materials or on any sites linked to this site.

The use of Matecat is at the user's own sole risk and the user is entirely responsible for its use of Matecat. Translated srl takes all reasonable measures necessary to try to ensure that Matecat is free from viruses and defects but cannot guarantee that the user's computer equipment, hardware or software or any data stored or created by the user's computer equipment, hardware or software (collectively, “Equipment”) will not be damaged, corrupted, lost or otherwise affected if the user accesses or uses Matecat. Further, Translated srl does not warrant that Matecat or any service or feature of Matecat will be error-free or uninterrupted, or that any defects will be corrected, or that the service or the server that makes Matecat's service available is free from any harmful components, including, without limitation, viruses.

Translated srl disclaims any and all liability for the acts, omissions and conducts of any third parties in connection with or related to the user's use of Matecat, including without limitation any liability for any third party content, information, statement, available on or through the , under criminal or civil laws relating to defamation, intellectual property infringement, privacy, obscenity, or other areas of law.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Translated srl shall in no event be liable to the user or anyone else for any damage, direct or indirect, arising out of use of Matecat, including without limitation, liability for (a) lost profits, revenues, (b) any loss of or corruption to data, (c) loss of or damage to the user's Equipment, (d) any loss or damage which was not foreseeable by both the user and by Translated srl or which the user did not notify to Translated srl may occur if Translated srl breach these Terms and Conditions of Use or Translated's legal duty of care to user, or (e) any loss or damage suffered by the user as a result of its failing to take reasonable precautions against such loss or damage, such as through the installation of reputable anti-virus software.

Sharing of a “Job link”, “Volume analysis report”, “Editing log report” is totally at user responsibility. Translated srl cannot be held liable of any privacy breach or any of the damages, direct or indirect, described above.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions of Use excludes or limits Translated's liability to the user for fraud or gross negligence or for any other liability which may not be excluded or limited under any mandatory provision of applicable law.

Indemnification

The user (and also any third party for whom the user operates an activity on Matecat) agrees to defend (at Translated srl request), indemnify and hold Translated srl harmless from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with any of the following (including as a result of the user's direct activities on Matecat or those conducted on the user behalf): (i) the user's access to or use of Matecat; (ii) the user's breach or alleged breach of these Terms and Conditions of Use; (iii) the user's violation of any third-party right, including without limitation, any intellectual property right, publicity, confidentiality, property or privacy right; (iv) the user's violation of any laws, rules, regulations, codes, statutes, ordinances or orders of any governmental and quasi-governmental authorities, including, without limitation, all regulatory, administrative and legislative authorities; or (v) any misrepresentation made by the user. The user will cooperate as fully required by Translated srl in the defense of any claim. Translated srl reserves the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by the user and the user will not in any event settle any claim without the prior written consent of Translated srl. Translated srl will provide the user with written notice of such claim, suit or action.

Revisions and Errata

The materials appearing on the Website could include technical, typographical, or photographic errors. Translated srl does not warrant that any of the materials on the Website are correct, accurate, complete, or current. Translated srl may make changes to the materials contained on the Website at any time without notice. Translated srl does not, however, make any commitment to update the materials at regular or predictable intervals.

Links

Translated srl has not reviewed all of the sites linked to Matecat and are not responsible for the contents of any such linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Translated srl of the site. Use of any such linked website is at the user's own risk and Translated srl will have no liability to the user for any loss or damage that the user suffer (including but not limited to any loss or damage to the user's Equipment, hardware or software) arising out of or related to the user's access or use of, or reliance on, any material on the Website.

Site Terms of Use Modifications

Translated srl may revise these terms of use for the Website at any time without notice, for example, to reflect changes to the law. By using the Website you are agreeing to be bound by the then current version of these Terms and Conditions of Use.

Governing Law

Any claim relating to the Website shall be governed by Italian law without regard to its conflict of law in other countries.