Conditions of Participation

Biophotoniq is an initiative with two distinct streams: the Biophotoniq Ecosystem — the broader scientific community and research arm — and a Tech branch developing biophoton instrumentation and services, which is on a path to becoming a legally separate spinoff. The Network is the formal directory of members within the Ecosystem, and these Conditions govern Network membership. Network participation is free of charge, open, and collaborative. There are no contracts, no fees, and no obligations beyond good faith. By joining, members commit to the following principles.

1. General commitments (all members)

• Represent biophoton science accurately and responsibly.
• Credit the Biophotoniq Network where relevant in citations and communications.
• Treat other members with respect; no harassment, discrimination, or defamation.
• Do not use the network for spam, off-topic promotion, or political purposes.
• Inform us if your role or affiliation changes so we can update your entry.

2. Scientific & academic integrity

• Follow established principles of scientific integrity — honesty, transparency, reproducibility.
• Cite primary literature; do not claim work that is not yours.
• Disclose conflicts of interest in scientific communications.
• Share methods openly where possible; contribute to reproducible research.
• Acknowledge funding sources and institutional affiliations.

3. Industry & commercial members

• Do not misrepresent association with the network as endorsement of specific products or services.
• Marketing claims about instruments or services must be scientifically defensible.
• Do not inject commercial announcements into Network-sanctioned scientific channels (member-wide newsletters, joint statements, co-branded scientific communications). Commercial content on your own channels is unaffected.
• Respect scientific peer review — do not pressure academic members for favorable reviews.

4. Clinical, medical, wellbeing & longevity members

• Do not make unverified health claims based on biophoton measurements.
• Distinguish clearly between established science and exploratory research.
• Comply with applicable medical regulations in your jurisdiction.
• No direct-to-consumer medical advice using the network affiliation.

5. Science communication & media

• Represent biophoton science with accuracy, especially to non-specialist audiences.
• Avoid sensationalism and pseudoscientific framing.
• When unsure about a claim, consult network scientists or use Ask Ela for guidance.
• Credit sources and link to primary literature where appropriate.

6. Funding bodies & investors

• Be transparent about funding mechanisms and decisions where possible.
• Respect the scientific independence of funded groups.
• Support open-access outputs where feasible.

7. Relationship between the Network and Biophotoniq Tech

• The Network and the Tech branch are distinct streams under the same initiative and operate under separate terms.
• Joining the Network creates no commercial obligation to, and no commercial relationship with, the Tech branch or any future spinoff.
• Engaging commercially with the Tech branch (e.g., purchasing instruments or services) creates no automatic Network role or endorsement.
• Network member data (directory entries, contact information, scientific discussions) is not shared with the Tech branch or any future spinoff without your explicit separate consent.
• Biophotoniq may communicate about both the Ecosystem/Network and the Tech branch on its own official channels (website, newsletter, social media); such communications will clearly identify which stream they concern, and do not fall under the member conduct rule separating commercial from scientific communications.
• When Biophotoniq features Tech-branch products or services on its main channels — biophotoniq.net, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, newsletters — equivalent feature opportunities are available to Network members on the same editorial terms. Biophotoniq commits to giving Tech-branch commercial content no structural advantage over Network-member commercial content on these shared channels.
• All commercial content on Biophotoniq's main channels — whether from the Tech branch or a featured Network member — will be clearly identified as commercial/promotional.
• When the Tech spinoff is legally established, it will operate as a separate entity under its own terms; these Network Conditions will not apply to it.

8. Community behavior & removal

• Communicate professionally and respectfully in all network channels.
• Constructive disagreement is welcomed; personal attacks are not.
• Raise concerns to info@biophotoniq.net.
• Biophotoniq reserves the right to remove members who seriously or repeatedly violate these principles.
• Members may request removal at any time by emailing info@biophotoniq.net.