Knowledge type or format
Knowledge of any type that is available (or convertible) in commonly used electronic formats (for example, pdf, text, html, jpeg, gif, WORD, EXCEL) format can be linked to, uploaded, or referenced in the UN Atlas, where it becomes known as a Knowledge Object (KO) and is primarily listed under the heading of Relevant Knowledge within each topic. A UN Atlas KO therefore is any type of electronic file, document, online resource, or metadata (file size, content, location, author, etc.) about a piece of knowledge. Examples are websites, books, news, reports, discussions, polls, maps, and databases that can be uploaded into the UN Atlas database or input via fill-in forms. Advertisement or advocacy of a non-UN organisation's or firm's products or services shall be minimized to the level of providing only policy-relevant information.

Subject coverage
Any items submitted to the UN Atlas should contain information relevant to sustainable development of the oceans and to the advancement of ocean science. Information should be oriented for use by policy makers, NGOs, and the media needing to become familiar with ocean issues and by scientists, students, industry leaders, and resource managers needing access to underlying data bases, information about the oceans, and approaches to sustainability. When substantially equivalent information exists within and outside the UN system, preferential treatment should be accorded to information obtained from the UN system.

Language
The current interface of the UN Atlas is English. While users are welcome to submit items of knowledge in any language, the ability to confidently accept an item for inclusion in their topic will be very much dependent on the language capabilities of the relevant topic editor, or on those of the UN Atlas editorial staff. Writing should be crisp and to the point and without colloquial expressions. When items are available in multiple languages, all should be entered.

To ensure that a relevant document is not rejected by the Topic Editor due to a language difficulty, users are advised to provide reference information or metadata in English and an English abstract. English language keywords should be used to better facilitate the retrieval of their KO in a search.

Accessibility
Items submitted must be either available on a website online (so that they can be linked to the Atlas); in electronic form so that they can be uploaded into the Atlas Program); or fully referenced so that the object can be located in a library, obtained from a publisher, or directly from the originator or issuing organisation.

Uploaded files
The format and size of an uploaded or linked file must be clearly stated in the reference / metadata, and the format should be of a type that is generally available worldwide and platform independent, such as html and pdf.

Copyright and intellectual ownership
Any copyright or other type of restriction pertaining to a specific item of knowledge must be clearly stated in the reference / metadata, or on the uploaded or linked file. Users may make copies for personal use or class instruction. Permission to reproduce, license, or re-disseminate copyrighted material for any other use must be requested directly to the copyright holder, for specific items, and to the Chief, Publishing and Multimedia Service, Information Division, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy or by e-mail to copyright@fao.org for general requests. It is the responsibility of the submitter of information to secure and retain permissions to link to websites and to use copyrighted materials.

Currency
The primary aim of the UN Atlas is to provide its users with up to date information on ocean sustainability. Users are therefore actively encouraged to disseminate new or recent research output and policy documents and information via the UN Atlas. Incorporation of all UN system documents of relevance to the oceans will increase the coherence of the UN ocean programs and indicate areas that are not being addressed or that could benefit from increased coordination.

Archives
The UN Atlas Project recognizes the importance of providing access to historical data and information, especially that which has not previously been widely accessible by electronic means. Any pre-1995 information and data submitted to the UN Atlas will be stored in the UN Atlas archive topics. Archive topics are searchable as an entity or in conjunction with current topic information and linkages.

Accuracy
Submitters of information are responsible for the accuracy of the information, including quotations and citations against the original sources and including specific page, paragraph, table and numbers of the citation as applicable. They are also responsible for any breaches of copyright in their submissions.

Use of Materials in UN Atlas Products
Mirror and valued-added CD-ROMs and perhaps other media will be developed from the web-site material. The UN Atlas products will be distributed either directly through the UN or through a co-publishing arrangement with a private firm. They may be provided free of charge or for a fee used to underwrite the cost of widely disseminating information about ocean sustainability and of further development and maintenance of the Atlas. Ownership of Copyrights will not change and citations of sources will be given. By inclusion of materials on the UN Atlas website, it is understood that no further permissions for these uses are needed. Model agreements are available from the Project Manager.

Project information
One of the objectives of the UN Atlas is to provide access to oceanic project information, both the project records, project outputs and related information. Anyone submitting project information should include comprehensive information about the project, especially the project donor organisation and lead / managing organisation, with relevant contact information or links.

Virtual offices
When an organisation or group is granted permission to set up a virtual office in the UN Atlas, it is required to provide adequate access to information held in that virtual office to benefit all the UN Atlas users, and to only restrict access where absolutely necessary. In all other respects the information and linkages held within a virtual office must reflect the overall requirements for the UN Atlas content as laid out in this contents and submissions policy document.

Content review
Periodic reviews will be carried out by the Chief Editor in conjunction with members of the Editorial Advisory Board to document progress in the development of the UN Atlas, and to ensure that the content reflects the agreed submissions policy and the overall aims and objectives of the UN Atlas. There will be periodic reviews of entire sections by subject matter experts.

Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, validity and permission of use of all information contained in the Atlas, FAO, as the overall manager of the UN Atlas Project and acting on behalf of the UN Agencies that are UN Agency Partners, disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in the individual KOs and the topic informational texts and any deficiencies in the permission of their use. While information subject to review and changes periodically, they could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Linked websites are not under the control of FAO or the UN Atlas Community Directory and FAO is not responsible for the content of any linked website or any link contained in a linked website. FAO declines all responsibility for errors or deficiencies in the database or software or in the documentation accompanying it, and for software program maintenance and upgrading, as well as for any damage that may arise as a result. FAO also declines any responsibility for updating the data and assumes no responsibility for errors and omissions in the data provided. Submitters of information are responsible for the permission needed to use it and for the accuracy of the information, including quotations and citations against the original sources and including specific page, paragraph, table and numbers of the citation as applicable. Users are, however, kindly asked to report any errors or deficiencies to the Project Manager.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this electronic product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.