Open Educational Badges

The English version of the Terms of Use is for informational purposes only. Only the German version is legally binding.

Terms of Use

for the Open Educational Badges Platform.

The OEB platform is a project by mycelia gGmbH (hereinafter referred to as “we”).

The platform is primarily intended for institutions (hereinafter referred to as “users” or “actors”) to actively create and issue Open Educational Badges. However, learners are also welcome to use the platform.

The aim is to make visible the competences acquired or conveyed across different learning settings and domains, to strengthen learner agency, and to increase the recognition of competence-based evidence from non-formal and informal learning contexts.

1. Subject of the Terms of Use

To effectively and sustainably achieve the aims stated above, institutions wishing to issue badges must create an account on the platform. If an institution is using the platform, a person must first register individually, and then create a profile for the institution. Badges can subsequently be created and issued, or retrieved by learners. Learners do not necessarily need to register to receive a badge; in most cases, a name and email address is sufficient. These Terms of Use apply exclusively to the provision of the platform and the enabling of badge creation and issuance. We are not legally or factually involved in the content, description, usage, or issuance of badges, nor in their development.

2. What Do These Terms Cover?

These Terms of Use regulate how the platform may be used. They apply to all users and to all actions taken on the platform.

3. Registration; Creating and Issuing Badges

3.1 Registration is required to use the platform. This can be done either by creating a user account or (in future) by using SSO-providers.

3.2 Upon registering, a profile is created which users may edit or delete at any time.

3.3 Logging in requires the registered email address and password.

3.4 To receive a badge, the user must provide their name and email address.

3.5 To create and issue badges, users must first register an institution by providing the organisation’s name, address, and a responsible contact person. Individual users who have created an account may be added to the institution as team members or editors.

3.6 When an institution registers on the platform, joint responsibility within the meaning of Art. 4 No. 7; Art. 26 GDPR comes into effect. The agreement on joint responsibility pursuant to Art. 26 GDPR (GVV) between mycelia gGmbH and the institution applies. A corresponding agreement can be viewed here. The GVV will be made available to the institution during the registration process.

3.7 To create a badge, the following details must be provided: badge title, relevant categories, and, if applicable, competences. A description must also be written. An integrated tool is available to support this process. This short description may also be used to suggest relevant competences via the AI assistant. The AI assistant analyses the description and generates a list of suggested competences, which the user can then manually assign to the badge. As the AI tool relies on the short description to generate suggestions, the text should be clear and meaningful.

It is strictly forbidden to use content in badges (e.g. images, symbols) that reference discriminatory, xenophobic, ableist, violent or harmful content, or material that is inappropriate for young people. The unauthorised use of copyrighted materials (especially images subject to third-party licence terms or trademarks) is also prohibited. We are not obligated to review the content of badges for legal or factual issues, but we reserve the right to remove any badges that appear to violate these rules, without prior notice.

4. User Obligations

4.1 When registering, users must provide information about themselves or their institution.

4.2 All users are required to provide complete and accurate information during registration. The use of fictitious names, pseudonyms, or made-up institutions is not permitted. False or misleading information may result in exclusion from the platform.

4.3 By registering an institution, you confirm that you are acting with proper authorisation from the institution. In case of doubt, we are entitled to request evidence to ensure compliance with these terms.

4.4 Multiple registrations by the same person or institution are not allowed. If such duplicate registrations are detected, we reserve the right to remove the relevant user and delete all associated profiles.

4.5 Use of a profile is only permitted for the purposes described above. Using a profile for other purposes may result in it being blocked. Sharing login credentials with others is prohibited (except in the case of institutional accounts). Credentials must be kept secure to prevent unauthorised use. If account details are found to have been shared or misused, we reserve the right to exclude the user from the platform.

4.6 It is also forbidden to advertise products or companies that are not directly related to Open Educational Badges. If institutions wish to use the platform for broader commercial purposes, this requires our explicit consent or that of any future legal successor, through a formal agreement. Any further commercial use is excluded. If unauthorised advertising or commercial activity is detected, we reserve the right to exclude the users or remove the content. Users will be notified immediately if content is removed.

5. Prohibited Actions and Statements on the Platform; Legal Consequences

The following actions and content are prohibited and will result in immediate exclusion from the platform:

  • Insults directed at other users or individuals
  • Bullying or harassment
  • Content depicting violence
  • Content that is pornographic or dehumanising
  • Content that incites hatred or violence against individuals or groups
  • Content that calls for violence or other actions against individuals or groups, or attacks their human dignity through slander or defamation
  • Content that denies or trivialises crimes committed during the Nazi regime, or that glorifies National Socialism
  • Content that displays symbols of banned organisations or references them
  • Content that promotes the use, purchase, or sale of illegal substances (drugs, narcotics)
  • Posting of copyrighted material (including images and videos) without the rights holder’s consent

6. Rights of Use; Licensing of Open Educational Badges

6.1 In accordance with these Terms of Use, we currently grant users the right to use the basic functions of the platform free of charge within the scope of our Free Plan. Larger quotas and additional features are subject to a fee in accordance with our usage packages.

6.2 We grant users a non-exclusive, time-limited and geographically limited right to use the platform in accordance with its intended purpose.

6.3 Users are prohibited from reverse engineering, disassembling, decompiling, translating, or otherwise improperly disclosing the platform unless permitted by mandatory law or absolutely necessary.

6.4 We reserve the right to use and redistribute any content shared or published by users on the platform.

6.5 Regarding rights to Open Educational Badges:

  • Registered institutions are allowed to create badges on the platform.
  • By doing so, the institution grants us a non-exclusive, perpetual, and worldwide right to use these badges for the operation of the platform and the achievement of its goals. This includes the right of public reproduction, publication, and sublicensing, limited to the scope of the Open Educational Badges project.
  • Institutions must ensure that all components used in a badge (e.g. text, images) are compatible with this licence.
  • All badges are automatically licensed under the CC0 1.0 Universal Licence (CC0). This means badge creators must only use content (texts, images) that can be legally published under this licence.
  • Logos, designs or similar elements provided by the institution itself are excluded from the CC0 licence and remain subject to the institution’s original copyright.

7. Changes to Platform Functionality

7.1 We strive to maintain and further develop the range of services and functions available on the platform.

7.2 We reserve the right to modify, expand, limit, or discontinue specific functions. If a function is to be discontinued, we will inform users in good time.

7.3 The platform is intended to undergo continuous development. As a result, features, user interface, and the way the platform is operated may change. We are entitled to make such modifications as needed.

8. Review Obligations, Liability, Exclusion of Responsibility

8.1 We are not obligated to review badges for legal or factual accuracy and do not carry out any such reviews.

8.2 Liability is governed by statutory provisions.

8.3 We are not involved in the establishment of business relationships, contracts, or agreements that may arise between matched actors. We assume no legal or commercial responsibility for the conclusion, execution, or processing of such agreements.

9. Amendments to These Terms; Platform Availability

9.1 We reserve the right to amend these Terms of Use at any time and will inform users of any changes directly via the platform and by email.

9.2 We also reserve the right to temporarily or permanently shut down the platform. Temporary shutdowns may occur for technical reasons (e.g. errors, maintenance, updates).

10. Data Protection

For information on how personal data is handled, please refer to our separate Privacy Policy.

11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The applicable law is that of the Federal Republic of Germany. Where permissible, the place of jurisdiction is the registered office of the platform operator.