Terms of Use

FID Media, the specialised information service for communication and media studies, is operated by Leipzig University Library, Marburg University Library, and the Institute of Media Studies at Philipps University Marburg, and is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

In accordance with the DFG funding guidelines, the service is primarily intended for researchers in media studies, communication studies, film studies, and related disciplines in Germany, providing swift and direct access to specialised literature and research-relevant information, irrespective of their institutional affiliation or location.

By using FID Media, users agree to the following Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

  1. Access to the FID Media catalogue does not require prior registration or login. However, registration for a personal account is required in order to make full use of all FID Media services. Registration and use of the services are free of charge.
  2. When registering, users must provide accurate personal information and complete all mandatory fields in order to access FID Media services. By registering, users also confirm that they belong to the user group indicated during registration. The final decision regarding user group assignment rests with FID Media. Users are required to keep their personal information up to date at all times.
  3. Accounts are personal and non-transferable. Sharing login credentials is not permitted and may result in the temporary or permanent suspension of the account.
  4. Registration is not restricted to researchers in communication, media, and film studies. Researchers working in other disciplines may also register with FID Media if their research relates to topics in communication, media, or film studies.
  5. Users are required to use the services responsibly and must not misuse them (for example, by placing acquisition requests or orders that exceed usual levels of use). Users must also comply with all applicable licensing and copyright provisions, including those relating to the reproduction or distribution of copyrighted works, freely available online resources, and open-access publications.
  6. E-books licensed by FID Media and resources supplied on request (for example through the document delivery service) may be used solely for personal research purposes within the limits permitted by copyright law. Reproduction (including storage in other networks or databases), public dissemination, or distribution to third parties is not permitted.
  7. By accessing data from databases licensed for FID Media, users undertake to use such data exclusively for their own research and within the limits permitted by copyright law. The data must not be shared with third parties and may only be used for non-commercial purposes. The automated retrieval of database content by means of bots or similar technical tools is prohibited.
  8. Where printed publications are supplied through Patron-Driven Acquisition (Print PDA), the requested item is provided directly by the supplier as a loan copy. Ownership of the item remains with Leipzig University Library. Users are required to return the item to Leipzig University Library at their own expense within the loan period and, in any case, no later than upon expiry of their account. FID Media reserves the right to suspend accounts temporarily or permanently following repeated reminders concerning overdue items. Loan copies must be handled with care and protected from damage. Damage includes any form of marking or annotation, such as underlining, corrections, folded pages, plates, or maps. No parts may be removed from the works. Users are liable for the replacement of lost or damaged items.
  9. Where materials are supplied through the FID Media loan service, the requested copy is sent by post by Leipzig University Library, provided that it is not on loan at the time of the request. Ownership of the item remains with Leipzig University Library. Users are required to return the item to Leipzig University Library at their own expense within the loan period and, in any case, no later than upon expiry of their account. FID Media reserves the right to suspend accounts temporarily or permanently following repeated reminders concerning overdue items. Loan copies must be handled with care and protected from damage. Damage includes any form of marking or annotation, such as underlining, corrections, folded pages, plates, or maps. No parts may be removed from the works. Users are liable for the replacement of lost or damaged items.
  10. FID Media reserves the right to make individual services, or all services, available only to specific user groups or to discontinue them at any time without prior notice. FID Media also reserves the right to suspend accounts temporarily or permanently where personal information is incomplete or manifestly inaccurate, or where services are repeatedly or continuously misused.
  11. These Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy may be amended by FID Media at any time. Registered users will be informed of any changes in due course.

Stand: 19. Juni 2025