Blue Biome – Terms and Conditions of Sale and Website Use

1. General and Scope

Welcome to Blue Biome.

Blue Biome is a nonprofit organisation registered in Norway, dedicated to advancing ocean literacy through science-based educational resources, interactive digital experiences, creative activities, and games.

These Terms and Conditions govern:

• Purchases made directly through the Blue Biome online shop.
• Access to and use of Blue Biome's website, digital games, educational resources, and associated online tools.
• The presentation of products and resources created by independent artists, authors, educators, and other collaborators.

By using our website or placing an order, you agree to these terms where applicable.

These terms are intended to comply with Norwegian law and applicable consumer protection legislation. Nothing in these terms excludes or restricts mandatory statutory rights.

Different provisions apply depending on whether you purchase a product directly from Blue Biome, access a free resource, or follow a link to an independent seller.

2. Organisation Information

The organisation responsible for this website and for products sold directly by Blue Biome is:

• Legal name: BLUE BIOME
• Organisation type: Nonprofit association registered in Norway
• Organisation number: 936 874 819
• Registered address: Vinddalsveien 20, 5106 Øvre Ervik, Norway
• Email: info@bluebiome.net
• Website: https://bluebiome.net

Blue Biome operates on a nonprofit basis. Revenue generated through its activities supports its educational mission and organisational objectives.

Unless explicitly identified as a donation, payments made in exchange for products are purchases and are subject to the applicable sales and consumer protection rules.

3. Products and Services

Blue Biome provides several categories of products and services.

3.1 Blue Biome Originals

Products developed and sold directly by Blue Biome may include:

• The Blue Biome physical board game and its expansions.
• Educational games and related materials.
• Printed or digital educational publications.
• Other educational products identified as Blue Biome Originals.

For these products, Blue Biome is the seller unless the product listing clearly identifies another seller.

3.2 Free Educational Resources

Blue Biome also provides free educational resources, including online games, marine species information, interactive maps, educational videos, knowledge-based tools, and downloadable learning materials.

These resources are provided primarily for educational and informational purposes. Their permitted use is described in Sections 15–17.

3.3 Independent Creators and External Products

Our website may feature books, games, artwork, and educational resources created or published by independent third parties.

Such products are identified separately from Blue Biome Originals.

When a product links to an external retailer, including Amazon or another independent online shop:

• The purchase takes place on the external seller's website.
• The external seller is responsible for the transaction, payment, shipping, returns, and statutory consumer obligations.
• The external seller's applicable terms and privacy policies govern that purchase.
• Intellectual property rights remain with the respective creators, publishers, or other rights holders.

Blue Biome does not become the seller merely by featuring, recommending, or linking to an external product.

Any commercial affiliation or commission arrangement will be disclosed where required by law.

4. Product Information and Availability

We aim to provide accurate and understandable descriptions of all products, including their content, intended age range, principal characteristics, availability, and price.

Product photographs, illustrations, and digital representations are provided for information purposes. Minor variations in packaging, printing, or presentation may occur without materially changing the product's agreed characteristics.

Material changes to an order will be communicated to the customer and handled in accordance with applicable law.

A product marked as "Coming Soon" or otherwise unavailable cannot be purchased directly until ordering has been enabled.

Products identified as pre-orders will clearly state the relevant availability and estimated delivery arrangements before payment.

5. Orders and Contract Formation

Customers may place orders through the Blue Biome checkout where direct purchasing is available.

Before confirming an order, customers will be able to review the products, quantities, delivery information, total price, and applicable charges.

A binding purchase agreement is normally formed when the customer submits the order through the checkout, subject to applicable contract law and the correction of obvious errors that the other party knew or should have known about.

We will send an order confirmation to the email address supplied by the customer. This confirmation will include the relevant purchase details.

If you do not receive an order confirmation, please contact info@bluebiome.net.

Customers must have the legal capacity to enter into a purchase agreement. Purchases on behalf of minors must be made or authorised by a parent or legal guardian, where required by law.

6. Prices, Taxes, and Import Charges

Product prices are normally displayed in euros (EUR).

Before an order is submitted, the checkout will display the total amount payable to Blue Biome, including applicable taxes collected by Blue Biome, shipping charges, and other mandatory charges associated with the order.

Prices and applicable VAT treatment may vary depending on the delivery destination and relevant tax legislation.

International Orders

Products may be dispatched internationally, including from fulfillment facilities in Spain.

For destinations outside the European Union, including Norway and the United Kingdom, import VAT, customs duties, and customs clearance or handling charges may apply.

Where such charges are not collected by Blue Biome at checkout, they may be payable to the relevant authorities or delivery carrier.

Customers will be informed before purchase where additional import-related charges may apply. Where charges cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, this will be explained.

Customers are responsible for import-related charges not included in the order total, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the information provided before purchase.

Currency conversion or foreign transaction fees charged independently by a customer's bank or payment provider are not controlled by Blue Biome.

7. Payment

Payments for products sold directly by Blue Biome are processed securely through Stripe and any other payment providers identified at checkout.

Available payment methods are displayed before the customer completes an order.

Direct purchases through the Blue Biome website are currently closed. For product availability enquiries, contact info@bluebiome.net.

Where advance payment is required, including for any qualifying pre-order, this will be clearly disclosed before the order is placed and handled in accordance with applicable law.

Blue Biome does not directly store customers' complete payment-card details.

Payment processing may be subject to the terms and security requirements of the selected payment provider.

8. Shipping and Delivery

8.1 Shipping Arrangements

Physical products sold directly by Blue Biome may be dispatched from Spain or another location identified in the product or delivery information.

Available shipping destinations, costs, and delivery options will be shown before purchase.

8.2 Dispatch Times

For products that are in stock, orders are normally dispatched within 10 business days, unless a different timeframe is clearly communicated before purchase.

For pre-orders or products awaiting production, the estimated dispatch or delivery date will be stated separately.

8.3 Delivery Times

Estimated delivery times depend on the destination, carrier, customs processing, and other logistical factors.

We aim to deliver orders within the agreed timeframe. Where no particular timeframe has been agreed, statutory delivery deadlines apply.

If a delivery is delayed, we will inform the customer when reasonably possible and explain the available options.

8.4 Transfer of Risk

Responsibility for accidental loss of or damage to goods normally passes to the customer when the goods are physically received by the customer or a person designated by them, in accordance with applicable law.

9. Right of Withdrawal

Consumers purchasing physical products directly from Blue Biome online generally have a statutory right to withdraw from the purchase within 14 calendar days, without giving a reason.

For a single shipment, the withdrawal period begins on the day after the customer, or a designated third party other than the carrier, receives the goods.

For an order delivered in separate shipments, the withdrawal period normally begins on the day after the final item is received.

Statutory exceptions may apply to certain product categories. Any applicable exception will be explained before purchase.

9.1 How to Exercise the Right

To withdraw from a purchase, the customer must clearly notify Blue Biome of their decision before the withdrawal period expires.

The customer may do so by:

• Emailing info@bluebiome.net.
• Sending the withdrawal form included at the end of this document.

Customers are not required to provide a reason for withdrawal.

A clearly expressed withdrawal notice sent before the deadline is sufficient.

Blue Biome will acknowledge withdrawal notices received electronically in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

9.2 Inspection of Products

Customers may open packaging and inspect products to the extent reasonably necessary to establish their nature, characteristics, and functioning.

A product does not automatically lose its withdrawal eligibility because its packaging has been opened.

However, the customer may be responsible for any diminished value resulting from handling beyond what is reasonably necessary for such inspection, where permitted by law.

Original packaging is recommended for safe transportation but is not an absolute condition for exercising statutory withdrawal rights.

10. Returns

When exercising the statutory right of withdrawal, the customer must return the goods without undue delay and no later than 14 days after notifying Blue Biome of their decision to withdraw, unless Blue Biome has offered to collect them.

Return address:

Vinddalsveien 20, 5106 Øvre Ervik, Norway

We recommend contacting info@bluebiome.net for return instructions before sending the package. This recommendation does not limit the customer's statutory rights.

Products should be securely packed to prevent damage during return transportation.

10.1 Return Shipping Costs

When returning a non-defective product under the statutory right of withdrawal, the customer is responsible for the direct cost of return shipping, provided this responsibility was communicated before purchase and unless Blue Biome has agreed otherwise.

If a return results from a defective, damaged, or incorrectly supplied product, Blue Biome will cover the necessary return costs as required by law.

No administrative fee is charged for exercising the statutory right of withdrawal.

11. Refunds

When a customer validly withdraws from a purchase, Blue Biome will reimburse the relevant payments received, including the original standard delivery cost when required by law.

If the customer selected a delivery method more expensive than the least expensive standard delivery offered, the additional cost of the premium delivery method need not be refunded.

For partial returns, any reimbursement of the original delivery cost will be determined in accordance with applicable law.

Refunds will be processed without undue delay and within 14 days after Blue Biome receives the withdrawal notification.

For physical goods, Blue Biome may withhold reimbursement until the returned goods have been received or the customer provides evidence of having sent them back, whichever occurs first, as permitted by law.

Refunds will ordinarily be made using the same payment method used for the original purchase, unless another method is expressly agreed.

No refund-processing fee will be charged to the customer.

12. Defective, Damaged, or Incorrect Products

Blue Biome aims to supply products that conform to their descriptions and agreed characteristics.

If a product arrives damaged, contains missing components, is defective, or differs materially from what was ordered, customers should contact:

info@bluebiome.net

Please include the order reference and an explanation of the issue. Photographs may help us resolve the matter but are not an absolute requirement for exercising statutory rights.

Statutory Complaint Rights

Under Norwegian consumer purchase law, customers generally have a statutory complaint period of two years, extended to five years for goods intended to last substantially longer under normal use.

Customers should notify Blue Biome within a reasonable time after discovering a defect. Under Norwegian law, a complaint submitted within two months of discovery is always considered timely.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, customers may be entitled to:

• Repair of the defective product.
• Replacement of the product.
• An appropriate price reduction.
• Termination of the purchase and a refund.
• Other remedies provided by mandatory law.

The appropriate remedy depends on the nature of the defect and statutory conditions.

Remedies for qualifying defects will be provided without cost to the customer as required by law.

These rights are independent of the statutory 14-day withdrawal right and are not reduced by any commercial warranty or by these Terms and Conditions.

13. Delayed or Unfulfilled Orders

If Blue Biome cannot deliver an order within the agreed timeframe, we will notify the customer as soon as reasonably possible.

Customers may have the right to request delivery within an additional reasonable period, cancel the purchase, and receive reimbursement where the statutory conditions are met.

If the product becomes unavailable after an order has been placed, we will communicate the situation and offer a lawful resolution, including a refund where required.

Blue Biome will not substitute a materially different product without the customer's agreement.

Nothing in this section restricts statutory rights arising from delay or non-delivery.

14. Kickstarter and External Crowdfunding Platforms

Blue Biome may conduct crowdfunding campaigns through Kickstarter or other external platforms.

Contributions, pledges, rewards, and transactions made through these platforms are subject to the applicable platform arrangements and project-specific conditions.

These direct webshop Terms and Conditions do not automatically govern the process for making crowdfunding pledges.

However, nothing in this section excludes consumer protection rights that may apply to particular crowdfunding transactions under relevant law.

Information about a specific campaign, its rewards, risks, and fulfillment arrangements should be consulted on the relevant crowdfunding page.

15. Use of Free Digital Resources

Blue Biome makes digital educational tools and resources available to help users explore ocean ecosystems, marine biodiversity, and environmental processes.

These may include:

• Online educational games.
• Interactive ocean maps and WebGIS applications.
• Species and ecosystem information.
• Educational card catalogues.
• Knowledge graphs and ecosystem relationships.
• Videos, digital exhibitions, and artwork galleries.
• Downloadable teaching and creative materials.

Unless otherwise stated, these resources are available free of charge.

Users may access and use the resources for their intended educational and informational purposes, subject to intellectual property rights and any specific licences displayed alongside the materials.

Blue Biome may improve, update, maintain, or discontinue individual free services. We will endeavour to minimise unnecessary disruption.

Users must not attempt to disrupt the platform, compromise its security, misuse access mechanisms, or unlawfully extract or redistribute protected content.

Free access does not transfer ownership of any underlying intellectual property.

16. Educational and Scientific Content

Blue Biome aims to provide scientifically grounded and accessible educational content.

Its digital resources and games may use simplified representations of marine ecosystems, ecological processes, and interactions to support learning.

Such simplifications are intentional and do not necessarily reproduce the full complexity of real-world ecosystems.

Certain content, visual materials, translations, or technical components may have been developed with the assistance of artificial intelligence or automated systems, under varying levels of human guidance and review.

Although Blue Biome seeks to maintain scientific accuracy and improve its resources over time, mistakes, omissions, outdated information, or unintended representations may occur.

The content is provided for educational and general informational purposes and should not be treated as a substitute for professional scientific assessment, regulatory advice, or safety-critical decision-making.

Users are encouraged to consult original scientific sources where detailed verification is required.

17. Intellectual Property and Licensing

Blue Biome respects the intellectual property rights of artists, authors, researchers, designers, educators, and other contributors.

17.1 Blue Biome-Owned Content

The Blue Biome name, branding, logos, original game components, and other materials owned by Blue Biome are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

Unless otherwise expressly licensed, users may not reproduce, distribute, sell, commercially exploit, or create unauthorised derivative works from protected Blue Biome-owned materials.

Blue Biome grants users permission to access and use its free, Blue Biome-owned educational resources for personal and non-commercial educational activities, including ordinary classroom use, subject to any resource-specific conditions.

This permission does not extend to commercial reproduction, resale, or use of Blue Biome trademarks, or to third-party materials for which Blue Biome lacks authority to grant such permissions.

17.2 Artwork and Independent Creators

Artwork, illustrations, photographs, books, and other creative materials displayed on Blue Biome's website may remain the intellectual property of their original creators or other rights holders.

Blue Biome displays and uses such content under the relevant permissions, licences, collaborations, or agreements.

The presentation of third-party content on the Blue Biome website does not imply that Blue Biome owns the content or that visitors may independently reproduce or commercially exploit it.

17.3 Educational Reuse and Attribution

Where specific educational resources are distributed under Creative Commons or another open licence, the conditions of the stated licence apply.

Users wishing to reproduce, adapt, translate, republish, or distribute resources beyond the permissions expressly provided should contact Blue Biome or the relevant rights holder.

Where attribution is required, users should credit the identified creator or organisation.

17.4 Rights Holder Requests

Creators or rights holders who believe material has been used incorrectly may contact info@bluebiome.net.

Blue Biome will review such requests and take appropriate action.

18. Contributions and Community Materials

Blue Biome may collaborate with schools, scientific institutions, artists, and community organisations to develop and evaluate educational resources.

Participation in collaborative activities does not automatically transfer intellectual property rights to Blue Biome.

Ownership, permissions, attribution, publication, and reuse of jointly developed materials should be addressed through the relevant collaboration arrangements.

Where users voluntarily submit photographs, artwork, educational materials, or other content, they must have the necessary rights and permissions to submit them.

Blue Biome will seek appropriate permission before publicly reusing submitted materials where required.

Photographs, videos, or identifiable information relating to minors must be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and consent requirements.

19. Privacy and Personal Data

Blue Biome processes personal information in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the EU/EEA General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where applicable.

Personal information may be processed for purposes such as:

• Processing purchases and payments.
• Managing delivery and customer enquiries.
• Handling returns, complaints, and refunds.
• Providing website and digital services.
• Managing voluntary newsletter subscriptions.
• Meeting applicable legal and accounting obligations.

Payment, logistics, hosting, and communication providers may process relevant information in accordance with their roles and applicable data protection requirements.

Further information is provided in our separate Privacy Policy:

https://bluebiome.net/html/privacy.html

Customers should consult that policy for information on personal-data processing, retention, and their rights.

20. Availability and Liability

Blue Biome seeks to maintain reliable and accessible educational services but cannot guarantee that all free digital resources will be continuously available or entirely free from technical errors.

Temporary interruptions may occur due to maintenance, external infrastructure, security issues, or other circumstances.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, Blue Biome is not responsible for losses resulting solely from reliance on free educational information outside its intended purpose.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or restricts liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including mandatory consumer rights, liability for defective goods, or other non-excludable statutory obligations.

21. Changes to These Terms

Blue Biome may update these Terms and Conditions to reflect changes in legislation, organisational activities, products, or services.

The date of the latest revision will be displayed at the beginning of this document.

For purchases, the terms applicable when the order was placed will generally continue to govern that purchase, subject to mandatory law or any mutually agreed changes.

Material changes affecting ongoing digital services will be communicated where required by law.

22. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and Conditions are governed by Norwegian law.

However, consumers residing in other countries retain the benefit of any mandatory consumer protection rules that apply to their purchases and cannot lawfully be excluded through a choice-of-law clause.

If a dispute arises, we encourage customers to contact Blue Biome first so that we can seek a fair and practical resolution.

Complaints may be submitted to:

info@bluebiome.net

Where a dispute cannot be resolved directly, eligible consumers may seek assistance from the Norwegian Consumer Authority (Forbrukertilsynet) or another competent consumer dispute-resolution body.

Information about Norwegian consumer dispute resolution is available at:

https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no

Customers may also use other competent consumer protection and dispute-resolution mechanisms available under applicable law.

These terms do not restrict the customer's right to bring proceedings before a court with jurisdiction under applicable law.

23. Contact

For questions about these Terms and Conditions, purchases, delivery, withdrawal, returns, complaints, or educational resources, please contact:

BLUE BIOME

Vinddalsveien 20 5106 Øvre Ervik Norway

Email: info@bluebiome.net

Website: https://bluebiome.net

Annex 1 – Model Withdrawal Form

Complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from a purchase made directly through the Blue Biome online shop. You may also communicate your decision by another clear statement.

To:

BLUE BIOME Vinddalsveien 20 5106 Øvre Ervik Norway

Email: info@bluebiome.net

I/We hereby give notice that I/we withdraw from my/our contract of sale of the following goods:

Product(s): __________________________

Order number: _______________________

Ordered on: __________________________

Received on: _________________________

Consumer's name: ____________________

Consumer's address: __________________

Consumer's email: ____________________

Date: ________________________________

Signature (only if submitted on paper): __________________

Please send this form by email or post, or use the online withdrawal function where available.

You do not need to give a reason for withdrawing from your purchase.

End of Terms and Conditions.