ISA > ISA 2026 Symposium > Third Party Embargo

Third Party Embargo

1 Purpose and Scope

This Third-Party Embargo, Confidentiality & Intellectual Property Policy (“Policy”) governs the submission, disclosure, use, release, display, or discussion of scientific, educational, promotional, or proprietary materials provided to or presented at any event organized, sponsored, or sanctioned by the International Society of Amyloidosis (“ISA,” the “Society,” “we,” or “us”).

This Policy applies to:

  • Authors, co-authors, presenting authors
  • Speakers, moderators, chairs
  • Researchers and institutional representatives
  • Sponsors, industry partners, exhibitors, contractors, and vendors
  • Public relations agencies and communication staff
  • Any individual or organization acting on behalf of the above

By submitting an abstract, accepting an invitation to speak, registering as an exhibitor or sponsor, or participating in any ISA scientific activity, the individual or organization (“Third Party”) enters into a binding legal agreement to comply with this Policy.

ISA is incorporated in the State of Minnesota and governed by the ISA Bylaws (most recently approved Sept. 7, 2022) and Minnesota law.

 

2 Definition of Embargo and Legal Effect

An embargo is a legally enforceable confidentiality obligation prohibiting early disclosure of scientific content until the date and time designated by ISA (“Embargo Lift”).

Embargoed content includes, without limitation:

  • Abstracts & abstract titles
  • Oral presentations, slides, posters, e-posters, handouts
  • Graphs, figures, tables, preliminary results
  • Accepted but unpublished data
  • Session descriptions, study identifiers, or unpublished trial data
  • Any scientific material designated by ISA as confidential or embargoed

 

Third Parties shall not publish, announce, distribute, present, or disclose embargoed information in any form—including press releases, investor communications, websites, social media, institutional announcements, regulatory filings, preprints, product literature, or conversations with media—before the Embargo Lift.

Violation of the embargo constitutes:

  • Breach of contract
  • Misappropriation of unpublished data
  • Potential trade secret misappropriation under Minnesota law
  • Possible copyright infringement

 

3 Confidentiality Obligations

Third Parties agree to:

  • Maintain absolute confidentiality of embargoed content until the Embargo Lift;
  • Limit access to embargoed materials only to individuals with a strict “need-to-know” and who are bound by written confidentiality terms;
  • Ensure all co-authors, employees, PR agencies, contractors, sponsors, CROs, and funding partners comply with this Policy;
  • Not allow embargoed content to appear in public domains, including preprint servers or conference announcements, before ISA authorizes release.

ISA reserves the right to classify any material as confidential and require its withdrawal or alteration for legal compliance or scientific integrity.

 

4 Intellectual Property Rights

4.1 Grant of License to ISA

By submitting or presenting materials, Third Parties grant ISA a perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to:

  • Reproduce, publish, archive, distribute, and display abstracts, presentations, and session recordings;
  • Share materials with meeting attendees and the public;
  • Use materials in educational programs, digital libraries, promotional materials, and future ISA events;
  • Create derivative works for educational or archival purposes.
  • This license does not transfer ownership of the underlying scientific content, but grants ISA the broadest legally permitted rights to use meeting content.

 

4.2 Third-Party Rights

Authors warrant and represent that:

  • They hold rights necessary to grant ISA the above license;
  • All materials are original or used with written permission;
  • The content does not infringe any copyright, trademark, privacy, or proprietary rights of others;
  • Necessary patient-consent, privacy, and regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR) have been met.

 

4.3 Prohibited Actions

Without ISA’s prior written consent, Third Parties may not:

  • Record, livestream, or distribute ISA sessions;
  • Copy or reuse ISA trademarks, logos, or branding;
  • Use ISA events for promotional, commercial, or regulatory purposes;

Present misinformation or incomplete data in a misleading manner.

 

5 Sponsor, Exhibitor, and Industry Restrictions

Sponsors, exhibitors, and industry partners agree to:

  • Comply with ISA embargoes for all sponsored sessions, posters, presentations, and materials;
  • Avoid pre-meeting promotion of scientific data being presented at ISA;
  • Submit all promotional content for ISA compliance review upon request;
  • Abide by geographic restrictions and national advertising regulations (e.g., EU 2001/83/EC, FDA promotion rules, etc.);
  • Not encourage journalists or attendees to bypass embargo rules.

 

6 Data Protection and Privacy Compliance

ISA processes data supplied by Third Parties solely for scientific review, program management, security, and compliance monitoring.

Third Parties consent to:

  • ISA storing personal and institutional information;
  • ISA retaining materials for archival, educational, or compliance purposes;
  • ISA sharing necessary information with contractors, reviewers, and legal advisors to enforce this Policy.
  • ISA adheres to applicable U.S. privacy principles and follows international best practices (GDPR-aligned standards).

 

7 Enforcement, Liability, and Sanctions

Violation of this Policy constitutes a material breach and may result in one or more of the following:

7.1 Scientific & Program Sanctions

  • Withdrawal of the abstract or presentation;
  • Exclusion of the author or sponsor from the scientific program;
  • Cancellation of exhibitor or sponsorship privileges;
  • Removal from ISA meetings (virtual or in-person).

7.2 Future Participation Sanctions

  • Temporary or permanent ban on submitting abstracts;
  • Temporary or permanent ban on speaking at ISA events;
  • Temporary or permanent ban on industry involvement.

7.3 Legal Remedies

  • ISA may pursue:
  • Injunctive relief without bond;
  • Compensatory and consequential damages;
  • Attorney’s fees and costs to the maximum extent permitted under Minnesota law.

7.4 Institutional & Corporate Liability

  • Institutions, sponsors, or employers may be held jointly and severally liable for violations committed by individuals acting within their employment or contractual scope.

7.5 Public Disclosure

  • ISA reserves the right to publicly disclose embargo violations to maintain scientific integrity and transparency.

 

8 Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Arbitration

This Policy will be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. All disputes, claims, or enforcement actions arising under this Policy shall be brought exclusively before: The state courts of Minnesota, or The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, where federal jurisdiction is appropriate. For non-U.S. entities or individuals, ISA may elect binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in Minnesota.

 

9 Amendments

ISA may amend this Policy at any time.

Continued participation in ISA activities constitutes acceptance of all such amendments.

 

10 Contact

ISA Office

International Society of Amyloidosis

Email: meeting@isaamyloidosis.org

Website: https://www.isaamyloidosis.org