I am voluntarily submitting a personal story which may include my name, image, location, voice, and/or statements (my “Contribution”) to the Smithsonian for possible use in connection with the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History’s (NMAH) “Stories of 2020” (the “Project”). I understand the Project will appear online at https://americanhistory.si.edu/stories-of-2020, on the NMAH website and on the NMAH’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), and knowingly and voluntarily consent to inclusion of my Contribution in the Project.
I hereby irrevocably grant a royalty-free license to the Smithsonian and to those authorized by the Smithsonian to use and include my Contribution, along with my first name, last initial, and location, in connection with the Project. This license includes the right to use and reproduce the Contribution in whole or in part, make derivative works based upon, publicly perform and display, and distribute the Contribution in all forms of media related to the Project and in connection with other standard museum uses. Such standard museum uses include but are not limited to use in connection with exhibitions, public programming, archives, philanthropic-fundraising, publications, publicity, websites, and social media uses on Smithsonian platforms and on those where the Smithsonian maintains a presence. I understand that the Smithsonian has no control over third party social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google Classroom) and I understand that my Contribution could be further disseminated by the public and associated with comments with which I may disagree or find objectionable.
I did not share any information in the Contribution that I do not want made public. Moreover, I waive any expectation of privacy I may have in connection with my Contribution. My Contribution is wholly original to me and the Smithsonian may use it as described in this consent and release without the need for further permission from third parties (e.g., it does not contain someone else’s copyrighted material or personal information).
I understand also that the Smithsonian has the sole discretion in determining whether to include the Contribution in the Project, in whole or in part. The Smithsonian may, but is not obliged to, edit submissions for grammar, spelling, and/or insignificant profanity.
I understand that at the end of the Project, in accordance to then-applicable Smithsonian record retention and archiving policies and practices, my text story may be archived and preserved in what NMAH is calling a ‘digital time capsule’.
I remain solely responsible for my Contribution, and any consequences of submitting it under these Terms and Conditions, and the Smithsonian shall not be liable for any claims, demands or injury of any kind arising out of the use of my Contribution as set forth herein, including but not limited to any claims for copyright infringement, defamation, invasion of privacy, or right of publicity.
I understand that the Smithsonian may contact me using the information I voluntarily provide with any questions about my Contribution.