Terms & Conditions

Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the website Acta Clinica Croatica (hereinafter “the Journal” or “the Website”), an open access peer-reviewed scientific periodical dedicated to the advancement of clinical and biomedical sciences. By accessing, browsing, submitting manuscripts, or otherwise using the Website, users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, you must refrain from using the Website and its services.

The Website serves as the official online platform of the Journal, offering open access to articles, supplementary materials, editorial announcements, and related scholarly resources. Users are advised that these Terms apply to all activities conducted on or through the Website, including manuscript submission, editorial correspondence, peer review, and article retrieval.

Use of Website and Content

The primary purpose of the Website is to facilitate the dissemination of scholarly research in medicine and related fields. Users may read, download, and print articles and other published materials for personal, academic, and educational use, provided that all copyright notices, authorship details, and citations remain intact. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, or distribution for commercial purposes is prohibited unless expressly permitted by the Publisher or permitted by the open access license applicable to the work.

Any misuse of the Website, including attempts to damage, disable, overburden, or impair its functionality, is strictly forbidden. Users must not attempt to obtain unauthorized access to systems, accounts, or information stored on the Website.

Intellectual Property and Copyright

Unless otherwise indicated, all intellectual property rights in the Website, including its design, layout, logo, editorial structure, and digital architecture, are owned by Acta Clinica Croatica or its licensors. The contents of published articles are protected by copyright and may be licensed under Creative Commons or similar open access agreements. Authors retain rights in accordance with the Journal’s copyright and licensing policy, which will be specified on each published article.

In some instances, the Journal may require a transfer of copyright from authors. In such cases, the Journal will obtain the right to publish, distribute, and archive the work in all media formats, while authors retain their moral rights of authorship. Responsibility for securing permissions for any third-party material incorporated into a manuscript rests entirely with the author.

Author Responsibilities and Submissions

By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that their submission represents original work not previously published and not under consideration elsewhere, unless explicitly acknowledged. All listed co-authors must have made significant contributions, approved the final version, and consented to submission. Submissions must be accurate, free of plagiarism, and prepared in accordance with recognized standards of scientific integrity.

Authors must disclose all relevant conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that could be perceived to influence their work. Research involving human or animal subjects must comply with ethical standards, including the Declaration of Helsinki, and must have approval from the appropriate ethics committee. Documentation of such approval must be provided upon request.

Any fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or failure to comply with ethical standards may result in rejection, retraction, or notification to relevant institutions or funding bodies. The Journal follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in handling ethical breaches.

Editorial and Peer Review Process

The Journal employs a rigorous editorial and peer review process to ensure the quality, originality, and relevance of published material. Manuscripts deemed suitable are sent to independent reviewers selected for their subject expertise. Peer review is conducted confidentially, and reviewers are expected to provide constructive, unbiased assessments. Authors may be required to revise their manuscripts in response to reviewer feedback.

The final decision regarding acceptance or rejection rests with the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board. While the Journal strives for efficiency, the review process may vary depending on the complexity of the submission. The Journal cannot guarantee acceptance, even after revisions, and reserves the right to reject any submission at its sole discretion.

Open Access Policy

Acta Clinica Croatica is committed to the principle of open access publishing. All accepted articles are made freely available to readers worldwide without subscription or access barriers. Articles are distributed under Creative Commons or other open access licenses, which clearly specify permitted uses, including reproduction, adaptation, and redistribution. Users must comply with the terms of the applicable license and provide proper attribution to the original work in all cases.

Authors publishing in the Journal accept that their work will be available publicly and agree to the applicable licensing terms. The Journal does not charge subscription fees for access, but publication may be subject to article processing charges (APCs) as specified in the Journal’s policies.

Disclaimer of Medical Liability

The materials published in the Journal are intended for academic, educational, and research purposes only. They do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers should not rely solely on information contained in the Journal for clinical decision-making and must consult qualified healthcare professionals for patient care. The Journal, its editors, and authors accept no responsibility for any harm, loss, or damage arising from reliance on published material.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Journal, its Publisher, editors, and affiliates disclaim liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use of the Website or its contents. The Journal does not guarantee that the Website will operate without interruption, error, or security vulnerabilities. Users assume full responsibility for their use of the Website and any risks associated with downloading or using its content.

Privacy and Data Protection

The Journal is committed to safeguarding the privacy of authors, reviewers, and readers. Personal information collected through manuscript submissions, peer review, and user registrations will be used solely for editorial and publishing purposes. The Journal complies with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Personal data will not be shared with third parties without consent, except where required by law.

Users may request access to their personal data, correction of inaccuracies, or deletion of records in accordance with applicable regulations. For details, users are directed to the Journal’s Privacy Policy.

External Links

The Website may provide links to external websites operated by third parties. These links are offered for informational and convenience purposes only. The Journal does not endorse, control, or guarantee the accuracy or availability of external resources and disclaims any liability for damages resulting from their use.

Amendments to Terms

The Journal reserves the right to amend or update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Revised Terms will take effect immediately upon posting on the Website. Users are encouraged to review this page regularly to remain informed of any changes. Continued use of the Website following revisions constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Croatia and applicable European Union regulations. Any disputes arising under or in connection with the use of the Website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts in Zagreb, Croatia.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact:
editor@actaclinica.org