Terms & Conditions

Last update: 01.012024

General terms

Opening hours
The Bioregion Institute has general opening hours between 09-17. The institute is closed on holidays (days marked red in the calender). The institute may be closed on other days, prior communication will then be given.

Confidentiality
Bioregion Institute develops products and services that are confidential. Bioregion personnel has the full right to deny access to anyone. Access to the biolab will only be allowed with permission once an NDA has been signed. Meetings between Bioregion Institute and potential investors and/or collaborators need to sign an NDA prior to the meeting.

BioDesignLab use
To access the biodesign lab permission must be obtained in writing from the Bioregion Institute personnel. Moreover, the client will be required to read and sign a document setting out the procedures and rules of the laboratory before using the lab. If the client is found to violate any of the biodesign lab rules and regulations Bioregion Institute has the full right to end the contract without a refund. A written document will explain what rules and regulations of the lab have been violated You use the biolab at your own risk. Bioregion Institute will not be held liable for any injuries occurring in the laboratory. The client must show proof of insurance before starting work in the lab.

At the conclusion of the project or period of use, the lab must be professionally cleaned. All materials must be removed from the premises. If any of the equipment was damaged during the project the customer will be liable for the replacement of the equipment. Bioregion Institute will charge the client the full replacement value to restore the lab to the condition it was in before the lab was handed off to the client.

If the client has decided to use the lab without the collaboration of Bioregion Institute, it must be clearly communicated to Bioregion Institute.

Insurance
Bioregion institute does not accept any liability for injuries occurring in the biolab. Therefore, before the commencement of a project the customer must show proof of insurance for individuals that will be working in the biolab.

Liability for valuables
Everyone is obligated to use the Bioregion Institute in a manner that does not disturb the environment and that follows the value of the institute. Everyone using the Bioregion Institute in any way is obligated to follow the institute's instructions with respect. The premises may not be used for activities in violation of laws and regulations, or in any way that otherwise damages the property or reputation of Bioregion institute.

Website terms & conditions
The member has the right to use the information published on the website in a responsible manner. When using the information the member will not change or add additional information not first approved by the Bioregion Institute. The member has the right to have their company logo present on the website. Bioregion Institute have the right to publish or withhold information that the institute deems necessary.

Photography and social media
Bioregion Institute works on confidential projects and knowledge. No photography of the lab area and associated areas is allowed.
Photography in common areas is allowed only if permission is given by the Bioregion Institute personnel.
Individuals in possession of photographs of products in development due to collaboration must require written permission before any images may be posted on social media or the website. Neither Bioregion Institute nor the partners/collaborator will post photographs without together discussing doing so. The photographs will not be made public until a decision has been made regarding what Intellectual property protection to apply for.

Payment
Payment will be done by invoice. The client needs to send over invoice information (contact person, telephone, email, organization number/ID) no later than 2 days before the date of the room booking. In case of non or late (2 weeks) payments of our invoices, Bioregion Institute will follow and apply the Norwegian regulations and send a reminder including a legal fee of 150,- NOK + due interests calculated on the current legal index of 12,5%/year of the due invoice(s) + a compensation fee. Our prices (including for offers ordered during a previous year) are adjusted annually in accordance with the official inflation basis from Statistics Norway Department.

Travel expenses
Travels, food, transport, shuttle and hotel costs are excluded of our services/products and will be charged to the Client. In agreement with the Client these costs are invoiced separately.

Fixed agreement
When agreed and ordered by signature, no refunds are made on the cost of our service(s), product(s) and the full amount is due by invoice end of month from the date of the order’s signature.

Additional costs
In case of additional work, the Client will be informed before the task is executed.

Company data
BIOREGION INSTITUTE AS
Damsgårdsveien 227
5160 Laksevåg
Norway

desk@bioregion.institute
org. nr. 925 283 258
bank account. 3633.69.59025
iban. NO1336336959025
swift. SPAVNOBB
bank. Sparebanken Vest Jonsvollsgaten 2, NO-5011 Bergen

Contact
For any questions regarding Bioregion Institute terms, your dedicated contact is Nathalie Bauer.

Room booking

Reservations
A reservation is a binding agreement when the Bioregion Institute and the client have come to an agreement. The client is the person who is liable to pay for the agreement. In order to book a meeting room, you must be 18 years of age or older. All published rates are quoted in local currency excluded VAT.  The Bioregion Institute reserves the right to adjust prices as a result of an increase in taxes, fees or other circumstances beyond the institute’s control. Unless a special agreement is entered into, the following rules apply. 

Cancellations
Cancellations and changes to bookings can be made without charges up to 3 days (72 hours) before the reservation. If you cancel or change the booking later, the institute reserves the right to charge you the full price in the agreement. In case of no-show, the institute is entitled to a compensation equivalent to the full price of the booking you made.

Liability for valuables
The client is obligated to use the premises in a manner that does not disturb the environment. The client is obligated to follow the institute's instructions with respect. The premises may not be used for activities in violation of laws and regulations, or in any way that otherwise damages the property or the reputation of Bioregion Institute. The premises may only be used for the purpose communicated to us in connection with the booking. Should it, after the booking has been confirmed, become known that the client had provided incorrect or misleading information and/or the event is in conflict with our values, the institute is entitled to cancel the booking while the client remains liable to pay the full costs.
The client is responsible for any damage inflicted on the institute and the property of the institute by the participants. The client will be charged the replacement value of the damaged item/s.

Food and beverage
Bioregion Institute does not provide food. It is allowed to bring own food and beverage, including alcohol for private use. The trash needs to be exposed of in line with the values of Bioregion Institute.

Force majeure
Bioregion Institute accepts no liability and will not pay any compensation where the performance of its obligations is prevented or affected directly, or indirectly, by or as a result of force majeure or any circumstances beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to; flood, earthquake, extreme adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, fire or failure of electric power, gas, water, or other utility services, plant machinery, computers, vehicles or any collapse of building structures.

Condition of the premises
Our rented spaces are offered as is and furnished for temporary rental, including objects and furniture not included in the rental. The rental of our premises begins when they are actually made available and stops when they are fully returned to their initial condition for rental. Under no circumstances should the furniture and any other equipment (such as cables, lights, wall elements or any other component of our interiors) be moved or dismantled without the prior written consent of Bioregion Institute. If such an agreement is written unilaterally, the reinstallation of any element then moved is the responsibility of the tenant. No holes or drillings are authorized in the walls or any structure of our institute. Any damage caused during the moving and/or reinstallation of item(s) on our floors, walls and any other surface or equipment will be the responsibility of the tenant and must be returned in the same condition as at the start of the rental and this within a maximum period of 10 days. The client shall not leave the premises in disarray once the purpose of the booking is completed. The premises should be handed back to the institute as it was before the client took possession of the premises. This term is in regards to general waste and basic cleanliness.

Roof access
Using the roof is at your own risk. When using the roof only paved areas can be used, it is not allowed to walk outside this areas. Bioregion Institute accepts no liability any injuries sustained by using the roof area.
If the roof area is being used in regarding to a event etc, a sober dedicated person need to control access and serve as a look out to insure that persons do not walk outside the paved areas. 

Prices
Prices for room booking will be send over to the client on a different document.

Associated Partnerships & Residencies

All members have access to the Bioregion Institute as stated by the contract signed by the Associated Partner. The Associated Partner has the responsibility to use the space respectfully and properly. Associated Partner will not misuse or share information with third parties. If the Associated Partner breaks the contract, NDA or terms of Bioregion Institute the institute has the full right to cancel the Associated Partner or Residency without a refund.

Prices
Bioregion Associated Partnership is charged annually 50.000,- excluding MVA, starting and automatically renewed at the agreed entrance date. Associated Partnership is solely for companies and institutions with more than one individual.

Bioregion Residency is charged monthly 2.500,- excluding MVA, starting and automatically renewed based on the agreed entrance date. The Residency is solely for individual/freelancer.

Any annual Bioregion Associated Partnership or monthly Residency initiated period is due, even if the Associated Partnership or Residency is not used.

Cancellation
The cancellation time for Associated Partnership is 3 (three) months delay before the desired date of termination and has to be stipulated by email with a tangible explanation. The cancellation time for Residency is 1 (one) month delay before the desired date of termination and has to be stipulated by email with a tangible explanation.

Rule of engagement
Once the Associated Partner has signed the contract a strategic meeting will be held between Bioregion Institute and the Associated Partner. Before the meeting is held the Associated Partner should familiarize themselves with the rules of engagement.

Rule of engagement - General meeting
The general meeting refers to a meeting where the Associated Partner and Bioregion Institute discuss potential projects or how the institute and the Associated Partner can work together. In this meeting, expectations should be clearly communicated to both parties.

Rule of engagement - Project related
If you come to Bioregion Institute to collaborate on a project the Associated Partner must be upfront and state all other parties included. The list of parties included is not limited to current parties but also parties that will be approached or have been approached.

Within the first meeting the customer shall disclose all relevant information about the project. Including, but not limited to, prototypes, previous research, and viability of the product.

If a similar or competing product is being produced it should be stated by the Associated Partner.

The end result and any other information should be clearly communicated. Moreover, expectations should be clearly discussed and communicated.

If Bioregion Institute decides to enter into the project a contract will be signed for the specific project indicating:

  • Ownership of the product

  • Ownership of the knowledge created (IP)

  • The intention is to create a spin-off (unless otherwise decided before the commencement of the project)

  • All parties involved are responsible for writing finance applications if applicable.

  • Any changes to the project must first be discussed by both parties

Either party may terminate the contract at any time in case of disrespect of the agreement. This encompasses non-payments or delivery of ordered services. For the cancellation to be valid, proof of a valid reason for withdrawal must be provided.