Version 1.0 · as of 05.06.2026
These Terms of Use for XDS, a software provided by DECTRIS Ltd., Taefernweg 1, 5405 Baden-Daettwil, Switzerland (“DECTRIS”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), describe the rules and conditions any user must adhere to when downloading, installing, and using the XDS software and any associated documentation (“Software”).
At the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, Dr. Kabsch developed a method for the reduction of single-crystal diffraction data from a sequence of adjacent rotation pictures recorded at a fixed X-ray wavelength by an electronic area detector. This method for data reduction has been implemented in the program XDS. DECTRIS acquired the license and sole rights and obligation to maintain, further develop and distribute XDS in March 2026.
Any natural or legal person who downloads or uses the Software is a User (“User”). The term User shall also encompass “Commercial Beneficiaries”, any third party using or relying upon Results produced by the Software for commercial purposes. We differentiate between the following Users:
By downloading, installing, or using the Software, the User acknowledges and accepts these Terms. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between DECTRIS and the User.
Any entity or individual that receives, accesses, or utilizes results, data, or analysis generated by the Software (“Results”) is deemed a Commercial Beneficiary and, by such act of consumption, agrees to be bound by these Terms.
Any User providing Results to a third party is obligated to inform said party that the use of such Results is subject to these DECTRIS Terms of Use.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between DECTRIS and the User, as well as any Commercial Beneficiary.
The Software is available only to individuals at least 18 years old. While XDS is specialized for the scientific community, use is permitted to non-academic entities provided they have obtained the necessary commercial licenses.
DECTRIS grants Academic Users a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Software for internal, non-commercial academic research.
Usage for proprietary or industrial purposes is subject to a separate fee-based license agreement as defined in the Software License Agreement (XDS).
Users may not:
Academic Users and Commercial Users with a current license receive updates to the Software as they are released. Continued use of the Software after a version update constitutes acceptance of the corresponding updated Terms (see § Changes to the Terms).
Users must ensure that the download and use of XDS do not violate any applicable law or regulation in their jurisdiction, including Swiss, European, and US export control regulations. The User ensures that use of the Software does not violate sanctions or embargoes introduced by Switzerland, the EU, the UN, the USA, or Japan.
Academics claiming the free license must provide true and accurate information regarding their institutional affiliation. Falsifying affiliation to bypass commercial licensing is a material breach of these terms.
The Software, including its code, algorithms, and documentation, is the exclusive intellectual property of DECTRIS or its licensors. Use of the Software does not transfer any ownership rights to the User.
The User retains full intellectual property rights over the results and data generated by the Software, subject to the licensing requirements for Industrial Results mentioned in the “User Definitions” section.
As XDS is a downloadable software, the User is solely responsible for:
DECTRIS provides support for XDS on a best-effort basis. Technical requests can be sent to xds-support@dectris.com.
XDS IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. DECTRIS excludes all liability for indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages, including lost profits or data loss.
Furthermore, DECTRIS shall not be liable for any wrongful use of the Software or for results produced that are used in regulated environments (e.g., medical or industrial safety) without proper validation by the User.
Our total liability is limited to the amount the User paid for the Software license within the last 12 months (which, for free Academic use, is 0.00 CHF).
DECTRIS reserves the right to update these Terms. For downloadable software, the version of the Terms in effect at the time of the Software’s latest version release or update applies. Continued use of the Software following a version update constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.
The license terminates automatically if the User breaches any term of this agreement. Upon termination, the User must cease all use of the Software and delete all copies from their systems.
The governing law shall be the substantive laws of Switzerland. Any disputes shall exclusively be brought before the competent courts in the city of Baden, Canton of Aargau, Switzerland.
To cite usage of XDS in your work you may refer to Kabsch, W. XDS. Acta Cryst. D66, 125–132 (2010).
If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect. This document replaces all prior oral or written agreements regarding the Software.