Terms and Conditions

I am over the age of 18 and 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) “September 11th: Stories of a Changed World” (the “Project”).  I understand the Project will be publicly available on https://americanhistory.si.edu/stories-of-september-11 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.  By this consent: 

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 or other standard museum uses. This license includes the right to use and reproduce the Contribution in whole or in part, make translations or other 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.  Standard museum uses include but are not limited to uses in connection with education, exhibitions, public programming, archives, philanthropic-fundraising, publications, publicity, websites, and social media activities 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 herein 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, or otherwise use it, in whole or in part, or to translate it in whole or part. The Smithsonian may, but is not obliged to, edit submissions for grammar, spelling, and/or insignificant profanity. At the end of the Project, in accordance with then-applicable Smithsonian record retention and archiving policies and practices, my text contribution may be archived and preserved by NMAH as part of the NMAH collections. 

I hereby hold harmless and release the Smithsonian from any and all liability arising out of 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. 

The Smithsonian may contact me using the information I voluntarily provide below with any questions about this Contribution. 

I understand the foregoing and agree to it.