Last name 29/03/2026
These Terms of Use (hereinafter "TOU") govern access to and use of the Géné Foncier platform (hereinafter "the Service"), a collaborative genealogy, historical and land heritage research application, accessible at the address www.genefoncier.fr.
By creating an account or using the Service, the user accepts these TOU in their entirety without reservation. If the user does not accept these conditions, they must refrain from using the Service.
Access to certain features requires creating a user account. The user must be at least 13 years old (in accordance with Article 7-1 of the French Data Protection Act). They agree to provide accurate and up-to-date information and to keep their password confidential.
Each account is strictly personal. The user is solely responsible for any activity carried out through their account.
Géné Foncier offers the following features:
The source code, interface, design, logos, trademarks and overall structure of Géné Foncier are the exclusive property of Géné Foncier and are protected by the French Intellectual Property Code. The database of indexes constitutes a database protected by the sui generis right of the producer (Articles L.341-1 et seq. of the French Intellectual Property Code).
The user remains the sole owner of their genealogical data and content published on the platform. Factual data (names, dates, places, family relationships) is not subject to copyright.
By publishing content on Géné Foncier, the user grants the platform a non-exclusive, free, worldwide and irrevocable license for the entire legal duration of intellectual property rights, including the rights to reproduce, represent, adapt, translate, modify the format and distribute the content on the Service and any related medium; to integrate the content into the Service's databases and combine it with contributions from other users; and to sub-license the content as part of the Service's operation.
"Contributive Data" means all content created, entered, digitized or published by the User as part of their use of the Service, including but not limited to: cadastral surveys, maps, parcels, document digitizations, annotations, associated metadata and any other documentary or cartographic contribution.
The user remains the sole owner of their genealogical data and content published on the platform. Factual data (names, dates, places, family relationships) is not subject to copyright.
The User acknowledges and accepts that:
Prior to account deletion, the User may request the withdrawal of specific Contributive Data, provided that such withdrawal does not affect the integrity of data integrated by other users. Géné Foncier undertakes to process this request within a reasonable timeframe.
Géné Foncier undertakes not to commercially exploit individually identified User Contributive Data; to respect, as far as possible, the authorship of contributions by indicating the original author; and to process Personal Data in accordance with its Privacy Policy and the GDPR.
The user formally agrees not to publish personal data of living persons without their prior explicit consent. Géné Foncier implements an automatic masking system for persons born less than 100 years ago without a recorded date of death.
Any living person mentioned in a family tree may request access to, rectification or deletion of their data at any time by contacting the tree owner or Géné Foncier directly.
In accordance with the GDPR, data of deceased persons is not subject to data protection rules. However, under Article 85 of the French Data Protection Act, heirs may request the removal or modification of data concerning a deceased person if such disclosure is likely to harm them.
The following are strictly prohibited:
By creating an account or using the Service, the user accepts these TOU in their entirety without reservation. If the user does not accept these conditions, they must refrain from using the Service.
The full text of the Open Licence Etalab 2.0 is available on the official French government open data portal:
Without prejudice to the sanctions provided for above, the Publisher expressly reserves the right to take any legal action, both civil and criminal, against the User responsible for conduct in breach of these Terms, including but not limited to:
The user remains the sole owner of their genealogical data and content published on the platform. Factual data (names, dates, places, family relationships) is not subject to copyright.
Géné Foncier acts as a hosting provider within the meaning of the LCEN (Law No. 2004-575) and the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065). In this capacity, Géné Foncier is not subject to a general obligation to monitor content published by users.
Géné Foncier undertakes to use its best efforts to ensure the availability and security of the Service. However, Géné Foncier does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of genealogical data published by users.
Each user is solely responsible for the content they publish and for compliance with applicable laws, in particular regarding the protection of personal data of living persons (GDPR), image rights and intellectual property rights.
Géné Foncier formally undertakes never to sell or transfer user personal data or individually identified genealogical data to third parties for commercial purposes. The license granted under Article 4.3 is strictly limited to the technical operation and continuity of the Service. User data is hosted exclusively within the European Union.
In accordance with Article 16 of the Digital Services Act (DSA), Géné Foncier provides an accessible reporting mechanism allowing any person to report content they consider illegal. Reports are processed diligently and the author of the report is notified of the decision.
In accordance with Article 20 of the GDPR, Géné Foncier guarantees the right to data portability. Users can at any time export their genealogical data in GEDCOM format, as well as other data in structured formats (CSV, JSON). Export requests are processed within a maximum of 30 days.
The user may delete their account at any time from their account settings. A grace period of 30 days is granted before final deletion, allowing recovery in case of error. After this period, all personal data is permanently deleted. Contributive Data (as defined in Article 4.4) remains accessible in anonymized form within the common database, in accordance with the conditions set out in Articles 4.5 and 4.6.
Géné Foncier reserves the right to suspend or close an account in case of repeated violation of these TOU, after prior notification to the user. In the event of a serious breach as described in Article 7.3, the suspension may be immediate and without prior notice.
Géné Foncier reserves the right to modify these TOU at any time. Users will be notified by email and/or in-app notification at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Continued use of the Service after this period constitutes acceptance of the new conditions.
These TOU are governed by French law. In the event of a dispute, the parties agree to seek an amicable resolution. If unsuccessful, the dispute will be submitted to consumer mediation (in accordance with Articles L.611-1 et seq. of the French Consumer Code) or to the competent French courts. Consumers may always refer to the court of their domicile.