The American College of Surgeons (ACS) receives requests from individuals and organizations to utilize ACS intellectual property and copyrighted works. ACS supports the dissemination of information to aid in the development of science and scholarly research. This Content Use Permissions Policy provides an overview of uses, restrictions, and instructions relating to ACS intellectual property, including how to properly request permission to utilize ACS intellectual property.
Permitted Use and Restrictions
ACS materials are protected by US copyright, with all rights reserved by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). ACS materials may be cited in academic publications as well as downloaded and printed for individual non-commercial use, where specifically permitted. All other use is prohibited without the ACS’s express written permission. ACS materials may not be distributed, resold, reproduced in whole or in part, or used to create revenue-generating content by any person or entity other than the ACS without the express written permission of the ACS. Additionally, ACS materials, including all data and content, cannot be copied, distributed, posted, displayed, published, modified or embedded in or used as part of presentations, publications, third-party applications, platforms, software, or websites without prior express written authorization from the ACS. This restriction explicitly includes, but is not limited to, the integration of ACS content into tools leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, large language models, or generative AI technologies and infrastructures. Violation of this policy may result in immediate revocation of access, termination of user accounts, and legal action as deemed appropriate by the ACS.
Apart from citations in academic publications and individual non-commercial use, all users must enter into a written agreement with the ACS and receive express permission to use any ACS materials for the purpose of, but not limited to, distributing, reselling, reproducing in whole or in part, creating derivative works, or revenue generation activity of any kind associated with the use of ACS materials.
Without limiting the ACS’s rights, hospitals participating in an ACS Quality Program or those preparing for participation in an ACS Quality Program do not need to request permission for the use of ACS program standards or guidelines as long as they are for the purposes of participation in an ACS Quality Program including pursuing or maintaining ACS accreditation/verification:
- Downloading
- Printing
- Building internal electronic medical record tools to assist with standards/tracking compliance (internal facility-only purposes)
- Use in internal presentations and meetings
In addition, including a hyperlink to a page/document on the ACS website, is not considered copyright infringement.
Permission requests for use of content from the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS) should be directed to jacsedit@facs.org.
Use of any and all ACS copyrighted content must acknowledge the material’s ACS copyright:
Used with permission of the American College of Surgeons, Chicago, Illinois. The original source for this information is the [identify source]. Copyright © 20[XX] American College of Surgeons. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of ACS. The Content does not reflect the views or interpretations of the American College of Surgeons.
Permission Requests
Except where previously noted, it is required that express written permission be requested and/or a license agreement be executed before there is any use of American College of Surgeons copyrighted materials.
To request permission, please complete the ACS Content Use Permissions Request Form.
To determine permission, the ACS takes into account various factors, including, but not limited to, purpose and scope of use; accuracy of use; market considerations; impact on the ACS's reputation; and consistency with ACS values and mission. The ACS reserves the right to refuse requests for permission without explanation.
Fees
In most cases, payment of a fee will be required before permission is granted. The fee assessed for approved permission requests will be determined based on the requested use.
License agreements will be required when permission requests for ACS content include use in a new Work (i.e., course, book, etc.), incorporation into existing products, products that are licensed or distributed by a vendor, company, or third party, derivative works, translations or repurposing of the content in a new way. If a license agreement is required, payments will be discussed during the licensing process.
Process
The ACS Content Use Permissions Request Form will be reviewed by ACS Staff, and information on the next steps, including any required fees, will be communicated within 10 business days.
Inquiries regarding ACS Permission Requests can be submitted to baa@facs.org.
