Terms and Conditions

These SSRS Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your participation in the AUS Marketing Research Systems, Inc. d/b/a SSRS (“SSRS”) panel (“SSRS Opinion Panel”) (“Panel”).  In order to participate in the Panel,  you must be a resident of the United States, be at least eighteen (18) years old, and you must accept these Terms.   

As a member of the Panel, you will have the opportunity to participate in market research activities including online and mobile/ telephone surveys, and other various opportunities such as focus groups, individual interviews and online discussion boards (“Panel Activities”).

These Terms are subject to change. We encourage you to check our Terms periodically for changes.  If you do not agree to the Terms, please do not use SSRS’s website (the “Site”) or register to participate in the Panel.  By using the Site and participating in the Panel, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms.  For more information on how we use the information you provide, please see our Privacy Notice (https://ssrsopinionpanel.com/privacy/).

Panels are built from recruiting randomly selected panelists based on nationally representative Address Based Sample (ABS) design (including Hawaii and Alaska). Potential members must be selected randomly and invited to participate. We reserve the right to deny membership, without any requirement to justify such a denial.

Membership is not open to employees of SSRS, SSRS Opinion Panel, or members of their immediate family.

We will collect and process your personal information in accordance with industry guidelines set forth by the Insights Association and the American Association for Public Opinion Research and our privacy notice, which can be found here: https://ssrsopinionpanel.com/privacy/. By participating in the Panel, you consent to SSRS’s processing of your information consistent with our Privacy Notice.

After registering for a Panel and confirming your email address, please do not mark emails or other communications from us as spam or unsolicited communications. 

Depending on your mail-box security settings, the survey invitations you receive from us might be directed to your bulk / junk mail or similar folder. To avoid this, please add the Jamie.Miller@ssrspanel.com address to your address book.

With respect to the statistical analyses that SSRS delivers to its clients, SSRS needs certain demographic and personal information about you.

Providing SSRS with this personal information is a condition for participation in any surveys as it would otherwise not be possible for us to determine whether your participation in any survey would meet such survey's criteria. We may also request basic details about your household and any children for which you are the parent/legal guardian.

During the registration process and during your participation in our research surveys, you agree to provide only true, accurate, and complete information and agree to update any information you provided to us as necessary to ensure it remains up to date and accurate.

For how we use your personal information, please see our Privacy Notice here https://ssrsopinionpanel.com/privacy/.

Panelists who have opted in to receive electronic communications will receive survey invitation links by e-mail, SMS, or other electronic communication from SSRS. Panelists who have not opted-in to receive electronic information will be contacted by telephone. There is no obligation for you to answer such surveys. Each survey is only to be answered once. Please do not mark e-mails from SSRS Opinion Panel as spam, as explained in the previous section. SSRS is not bound to send surveys to all Panelists for each new survey; nor can SSRS guarantee a minimum or a maximum number of surveys per year.

SSRS implements a variety of commercially reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect its systems and modes of communication.  Unfortunately, however, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.  Accordingly, while we use commercially reasonable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us.  

You understand that as a Panelist, you may be asked to share certain information, messages, opinions, pictures and other materials in response to certain survey questions or prompts (“Panelist Information”).  You agree that you will not share any Panelist Information that:

• Promotes illegal activities;
• Is abusive, obscene, or hateful;
• Is threatening, harassing, libelous or defamatory;
• Incites hate or violence;
• Is bigoted, racially, ethnically, sexually, or otherwise offensive;
• Contains viruses, corrupted files, “Trojan Horses” or any other malicious code; or
• Is not owned by you or infringes upon the intellectual property rights of a third-party

Each time you complete a survey before the deadline, you will receive a check or a virtual gift card depending on your preference as indicated at the time you joined the Panel. The type and size of the reward may vary depending upon survey difficulty, length, or other elements. Your participation in the Panel’s surveys is based on your desire to share opinions and provide feedback. Any consideration that is paid to you for participation in a survey is not calculated based on time spent by you. Likewise, any consideration that is paid to a panel member for participation is not pro-rated on an hourly basis or otherwise. You acknowledge and agree that you are voluntarily participating in the survey, without control or direction of SSRS, and exercising your independent judgment and discretion. SSRS and its clients have the right to end a survey at any stage, for any reason, and not collect further answers.

For panelists who participate in Panel Activities via the telephone, a check will be mailed to the address on file in exchange for your participation. Once a check has been mailed, the method of payment cannot be changed. Mailed checks can take 2-4 weeks to arrive.

For panelists who participate in Panel Activities via the web, a link to select an e-gift card will be automatically sent upon completion. Once selected, the reward link will be emailed to the email address we have on file. Rewards must be claimed within 30 days and used within one year from selection. Once the reward has expired, SSRS cannot issue a new reward.  For more information about our gift card reward provider, please visit their website at https://www.virtualincentives.com/.

We aim to:

• Ensure that surveys are delivered in a form suited to your device;
• Assist in providing support to you should you have difficulty accessing or completing a survey; and
• Use anonymized information whenever possible for research purposes.

In furtherance of these efforts, we use certain technologies as outlined below and described in more detail in our privacy notice.

Cookies - A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s web browser while the user is browsing a website, that help the website to identify returning users and improve their experience. These cookies are relatively standard and do not collect personally identifiable information. If for any reason you wish not to take advantage of cookies, you may have your browser not accept them, although this may disable or render unusable some of the features of the Website.

Digital Fingerprinting - Digital fingerprinting creates a profile of your device’s unique characteristics (hardware, software, add-ons) without storing anything on the user’s device.

Device Data and Other Information on Your Device - We may also use certain information about the hardware and software present on your device for quality control and fraud prevention purposes.

We also automatically capture information about your IP address, location data, operating system, screen display settings, browser type, use of Flash and Java, and whether your device has a webcam.

SSRS may provide links to, or information gathered from, other sites on the Internet.  SSRS makes no representations whatsoever about these sites or this information.  Other sites may contain information or material that some people may find inappropriate or offensive.  The provision of links to, or information gathered from, other sites on the Internet should not imply SSRS’s endorsement of any such sites or any association between SSRS and these other sites’ operators.  These sites are not under the control of SSRS, and you acknowledge that SSRS, its affiliates, and its licensors are not responsible for the accuracy, legality, decency, copyright compliance, or any other content of, or gathered from, such sites.  You also acknowledge that SSRS, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, and its licensors shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on the content, goods or services available on or through any third-party sites, or your transmission of information, including personal information, to third-parties through such other sites.

As a panelist, you may come in contact with, be allowed to see or use or otherwise have access to certain non-public, confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information or material that are the sole and exclusive property of the SSRS or its clients (“Confidential Information”). You may not copy, print, store, forward or disclose to anyone by any means, the Confidential Information.  You may not use the and Confidential Information for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was disclosed to you.

You acknowledge and agree that the Site and SSRS surveys contain certain information, such as articles, text, graphics, images, videos, links, and other materials (collectively, “SSRS Content”) that is protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patents, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights and laws.  You agree that as between you and SSRS, SSRS is the owner of SSRS Content.  You may not reproduce, distribute, republish or retransmit any SSRS Content except as expressly permitted herein.  Except as expressly authorized by SSRS, you agree not to sell, license, rent, modify, distribute, copy, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, adapt, edit, or create derivative works from such materials or SSRS Content. 

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold  SSRS and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, partners, clients, managers, employees, and agents harmless from any claim or demand, including any and all liabilities, claims, actions, suits, proceedings, judgments, fines, damages, costs, losses and expenses (including reasonable legal fees, court costs and/or settlement costs) arising from or related to: (i) your membership in the Panel, (ii) your participation in Panel Activities conducted by the Panel, (iii)your use or misuse of the Site, or (iv) your breach of these Terms.

Under no circumstances shall SSRS, its affiliates, or its licensors be liable for any consequential damages (including, without limitation, indirect,  punitive, incidental or special damages, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses (even if SSRS has been advised of the possibility of such damages) including, without limitation, any that result from: (i) the use of, or inability to use, the Site; (ii) your reliance on advice, information, or other content on the Site; (iii) your participation in Panel Activities; (iv) unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data; (v) statements or conduct of any third party on the Site or within the Panel Activities; or (vi) any other material relating to the Site or Panel Activities.  This limitation applies whether the alleged liability is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other basis, even if SSRS has been advised of the possibility of such damage.  Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages SSRS’s liability in such jurisdictions shall be limited to the extent permitted by law.

THE SITE, PANEL ACTIVITIES, AND ALL CONTENT ASSOCIATED THEREWITH IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” FOR YOUR USE, WITHOUT REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NONINFRINGEMENT. SSRS, ITS AFFILIATES, AND ITS LICENSORS DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SURVEYS OR SITE CONTENT ARE COMPLETE, ACCURATE, RELIABLE OR CORRECT; THAT THE SITE OR SURVEYS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME OR LOCATION; THAT ANY DEFECTS OR ERRORS WILL BE CORRECTED; OR THAT SSRS CONTENT IS FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED FROM CONTENT ON THE SITE, IN THE SURVEYS, OR FROM OTHER PANELISTS WILL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY MADE HEREIN.  IN ADDITION, ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR SURVEYS IS DONE AT YOUR OWN DIRECTION AND RISK AND YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL.  BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT PERMIT THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, THESE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

You release and forever discharge SSRS and its clients, each of their affiliated companies, and each of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents from and against all claims, lawsuits, causes of action, demands, losses, liabilities, obligations, judgments, damages, costs and expenses of any kind (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of your participation in Panel Activities.

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT.

Scope.  This Section 15 is intended to be interpreted broadly and governs any and all disputes between SSRS and Site visitors and Panelists, including but not limited to, claims arising out of or relating to any aspect of the relationship between us, whether based in contract, tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation, or any other legal theory; claims that arose before these Terms; and claims that may arise after the termination of these Terms (“Claims”). The only disputes excluded from this broad prohibition are the litigation of certain intellectual property disputes as provided below.

Pre-Arbitration Procedure.  We hope that we can resolve any disputes with you without resorting to arbitration.  If you have an issue or a complaint, you agree to contact us at Jamie.Miller@ssrspanel.com before taking formal action in accordance with the below paragraph.  In your contact, please provide a brief, written description of the dispute and your contact information (including your username, if your dispute relates to an Account). SSRS agrees to use reasonable efforts to address your issue or complaint. 

Binding Arbitration. If, after engaging in good faith negotiations, we cannot reach an agreed-upon solution with you within sixty (60) days, then either party may initiate binding arbitration as the sole means to resolve Claims (except as provided below) subject to these Terms set forth below.  You agree that any and all Claims shall be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the Consumer Arbitration Rules, as applicable, of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), in the Philadelphia regional office located at 230 South Broad Street, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102, or its successor.  Information about AAA, including its rules and procedures, can be found at www.adr.org. If AAA, or its successor, is unable to arbitrate a particular Claim, then that Claim shall be resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to the rules and procedures of an equivalent organization as mutually agreed by the parties. The arbitrator, and not any federal, state, or local court or agency, shall have the exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this agreement to arbitrate and the Terms, including but not limited to, any claim that all or any part of this agreement or the Terms is unenforceable.  All fees charged by AAA, or its successor, shall be paid in accordance with the fee schedule under the Consumer Arbitration Rules, as applicable.  All fees charged by any other equivalent organization as mutually agreed by the parties shall be paid in accordance with the rules and procedures of the equivalent organization. Arbitration awards may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. The provisions of this paragraph shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1, et seq., and shall survive settlement.  EXCEPT AS MAY BE PROVIDED IN AAA’S CONSUMER DUE PROCESS PROTOCOL THAT ALLOWS CONSUMERS TO FILE CERTAIN CLAIMS IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT, YOU AGREE THAT YOU ARE GIVING UP YOUR RIGHT TO A TRIAL IN COURT, EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT A JURY.

Class Action Waiver. You and SSRS expressly waive the right to file a class action or seek relief on a class basis. YOU AND SSRS AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.  If any court or arbitrator determines that the class action waiver set forth in this paragraph is void or unenforceable for any reason or that an arbitration can proceed on a class basis, then the arbitration provisions set forth above shall be deemed null and void in their entirety and the parties shall be deemed to have not agreed to arbitrate disputes.

Intellectual Property Exclusion.  Notwithstanding the parties’ decision to resolve all disputes through arbitration, SSRS may bring enforcement actions, validity determinations, requests for emergent relief, including temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions, or claims arising from or relating to theft, piracy, or unauthorized use of intellectual property in any state or federal court with jurisdiction or in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect its intellectual property rights in the Site.

This Mandatory Arbitration, Waiver of Class Actions section shall survive any termination of your use of the Site or Services. 

SSRS reserves the right, at any time, to amend these Terms.   We will inform you of any updates via the Panel Member website.

From time to time, we may contact you by e-mail or phone for account administration purposes or special announcements containing key information related to your Panel membership activity and key Panel updates.

At any time, you may request to leave the Panel and stop receiving e-mails, SMS or phone messages from SSRS.  To make such request, email optout@ssrspanel.com and put “WITHDRAWAL” in the subject line. SSRS will attempt to process your withdrawal request within 30 days after we receive your request. After we process your request, your account will become inactive in the Panel database.  To request that SSRS delete your Personal Information stored in the Panel database, please see our Privacy Notice.

SSRS also reserves the right to terminate your membership in the Panel for any conduct not within our quality parameters or business objectives, or any other violation or breach of these Terms or survey rules. Any use of the Panelist account or taking a survey by an individual other than the Panelist is considered an unauthorized use and may be grounds for termination.

SSRS may attempt to re-engage inactive Panel members through a survey. If these inactive members do not take action within the specified amount of time set forth in the survey, SSRS may remove them from the Panel and deactivate their account.

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, excluding its conflicts of law rules.

SSRS

1 Braxton Way, Suite 125,

Glen Mills, PA, 19342

484-840-4300

info@ssrs.com