Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy covers the National Association of Patent Practitioners (hereinafter “NAPP”, “We”, “Us”, or “Our”) Web Site (www.napp.org) and its members-only pages.  The purpose of this policy is to inform Our users (hereinafter “You”, “Your”, “Yourself”) of the circumstances under which We collect information and data from You.  This Privacy Policy also serves to inform You about circumstances under which We will release information about You to third parties.  By using the Web Site and accessing the content contained within it, You agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this policy.

The following paragraphs disclose our information gathering and dissemination practices.  The privacy policy may change at any time; any changes will be posted on Our web site at www.napp.org.  Should You have any additional questions, comments or concerns please contact us at the address above, by facsimile, telephone or by e-mail at: [email protected].

1. Categories of Personally Identifiable Information Collected

a. Traffic Data Collected

NAPP automatically gathers general statistical information about visitors to the Site.  Accordingly, NAPP may track and collect certain technical information from You when You visit the Site.  This may include:  (i) Your IP address; (ii) Your geographical location; (iii) the pages You viewed; and (iv) the goods and services You purchased (hereinafter collectively “Traffic Data”).  Traffic Data is anonymous information that does not personally identify You, but which may be used for improving Your experience on Our Site.  Traffic Data may be provided to third parties.  NAPP may also use “cookies” for specific purposes such as storing Your password so that You do not have to re-enter it each time You visit the Site.  A cookie is a small piece of information that is stored by Your browser on Your hard drive.  Most Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but if You prefer, You may set Your browser options to block them in the future.

b. Personal Information Collected

In order for You to access certain areas of the Site, to receive certain services or to register to attend conferences or to purchase products that NAPP offers via the Site, We may require You to provide Us with information that personally identifies You (“Personal Information”).  Personal Information may include (i) Your name, mailing address, organization , e-mail address, phone numbers, and fax number (“Contact Data”); (ii) financial data such as Your account or credit card number (“Financial Data”); and (iii) demographic data such as Your State Bar Number, USPTO registration number, and areas of technical expertise (“Demographic Data”).  If You communicate with Us by e-mail, post messages to any of Our mailing lists, complete on-line forms, or surveys, any information provided in such communication may be collected as Personal Information.

2. Use of Information Collected

a. Traffic Data

NAPP uses Traffic Data to improve Our marketing and promotional efforts, to analyze Site usage, to improve Our content and member offerings and to customize Our Site’s content, layout, and services. We may also use Traffic Data to help diagnose problems with our Site and to manage Our Website and to enhance Our site based on the usage pattern data We receive.

b. Contact Data

NAPP uses Contact Data to send You information about NAPP, its meetings, products and services, or promotional material from some of Our partners.

c. Personal Information

NAPP may use Your Personal Information to deliver information to You that, in some cases, is targeted to Your interests, such as new services and promotions.

d. Contact Information

NAPP may use the Contact Information to contact You when necessary or to advise You regarding upcoming meetings and service offerings and communications relevant to Your use of the Site.

e. Financial Data

NAPP will use Your Financial Data to bill You for meeting registrations, membership dues, and products and services when You have authorized such.

f. Demographic Data

NAPP may use Your Demographic Data to populate our Find A Practitioner database and for Our certification program.

3. Categories of Information To Be Shared with Third Parties

a. Traffic Data

NAPP may disclose Traffic Data to third parties

b. Demographic Data

NAPP may share Demographic Data with advertisers and other third parties

c. Contact Data

NAPP may share Contact Data with other members and third parties who are looking for patent practitioners.  If You do not want Us to share Contact Data with any third parties, please e-mail Us at [email protected].

d. Financial Data

NAPP will not share Your Financial Data with third parties other than as expressly provided for herein.

4. Confidentiality and Security of Personal Information

Except as otherwise provided in this Privacy Policy, NAPP will keep Your Personal Information private and will not share it with third parties unless such disclosure is necessary to comply with a court order or other legal process.

5. User Ability to Review and Update Information Collected Through the Site

In order to ensure that all of Your Personal Information is correct and up-to-date, at any time You may visit Your personal profile at www.napp.org.  Through Your Personal Profile You may:  (a) review and update Your Personal Information; and/or (b) choose whether or not You wish to share some of Your Personal Information with third parties.

6. Data Collection From Children

The NAPP does not knowingly collect any information from children.

7. Other Limits to Your Privacy

The Site contains links to other web sites.  NAPP is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such web sites.  NAPP makes chat rooms, forums, mailing lists and message boards available to its users.  Please remember that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information and You should exercise caution when deciding to disclose Your personal information.  Although We try to protect your personal information when using these public forums, We cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information You transmit to Us, and You do so at Your own risk.  It is also not Our responsibility for maintaining the secrecy of any passwords You set up and/or any account information You have disclosed.

8. Process for Communicating Changes to the Privacy Policy

NAPP reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to add to, change, update or modify this Privacy Policy, simply by posting such update or modification on the Web Site.  Any such change, update or modification will be effective immediately upon posting on the Web Site.  You are responsible for regularly reviewing these terms and conditions and additional terms posted on particular portions of the NAPP Web Site.  Your continued use of the NAPP Web Site constitutes Your agreement to all such terms, conditions, and notices, and any subsequent modifications.