Terms & Conditions
Global Internet Disclaimer
These Terms and Conditions govern your access to and use of the iShares.com web site (the "Site") operated by BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. ("BlackRock"), and of any information, text, graphics, documents, collateral, or other materials appearing on the Site ("Content") or data pages and downloads ("Data"). By accessing or using this Site, Data or Content, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
Using the Content and Linking to the Site
BlackRock encourages your use of Data and Content and distribution of the Content and linking to the Site as set forth in more detail below and conditioned on your compliance with these Terms and Conditions, your own policies, and all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to FINRA rules and regulations. If you are not in full compliance with all of the foregoing, the permissions granted you under these Terms and Conditions will automatically terminate in which case you agree not to link to the Site and not to use or distribute any Content or Data.
Using the Content and Data
BlackRock updates the Content and Data from time to time at its sole discretion to provide you with the latest information for your own use. You agree to distribute only the most recent version of any Content and to check this Site regularly for updates. You agree to use and distribute all Content, if at all, unmodified and as provided by BlackRock and with all logos and copyright, trademark, trade name, service mark, and other proprietary rights notices provided by BlackRock (the "Marks") intact and to not modify the Content, including but not limited to by removing, altering, or adding any text, graphics, warranty statements, logos, or Marks. You will not re-brand or co-brand the Content or Data. You agree to use of Data as is and not alter or distribute Data. You will not take any action in derogation of BlackRock's rights in the Marks, including but not limited to applying to register any trademark, trade name, service mark, or other designation that is confusingly similar to any Mark. You will not use the Marks for any purpose.
You will use only Content designated for you and distribute Content, if at all, to only those audiences for which it is designated and pursuant to all applicable laws and regulations.
Linking to the Site
BlackRock permits (and encourages) you to link directly to the Site, including web pages and Content, only if you comply with the following linking conditions ("Linking Conditions") except that you may not link directly to any of the (1) portfolio construction tools (2) performance charts (3) webinars or (4) data downloads. You agree not to link to any such tools, downloads or webinars.
BlackRock grants you a limited, revocable, nonexclusive right to create a hyperlink to this Site ("Link"), provided you comply at all times with the following Linking Conditions:
 |
The Link must resolve to the iShares home page at www.ishares.com, unaltered in any way; The text of the Link must read either "iShares®," "iShares® Exchange Traded Funds," or "iShares® ETFs," You may not use any BlackRock logo or graphic, or any other BlackRock trademark, as part of the Link without BlackRock's separate express written permission; and The Link and surrounding context on the linking site must not: (a) portray BlackRock or any of its affiliates, or their products or services, in a false, misleading, derogatory, or otherwise offensive manner; (b) deliver any Content or Data in a framed environment or alter the layout, content, look, or feel of the Site; or (c) falsely represent or misrepresent any relationship between the linking site and BlackRock, iShares, the Site, or any Content or Data, including but not limited to suggestions of affiliation, endorsement, or sponsorship; without limiting the foregoing, if you link to the Site, your site must look and feel sufficiently different or provide sufficient notice so that users will be aware that they have left your site. |
If you have created a Link that conforms to these Linking Conditions, then you also may include one or more Links to any internal or subsidiary page of this Site that is located one or several levels down from the homepages (known as "deep links"), provided, however, that all such deep links must be in close physical proximity to the Link that conforms to the Linking Conditions. You may not maintain numerous or pervasive Links to this Site.
Framing the iShares Site
You may not frame the Site and you agree not to do so under any circumstances. Framing as used here means combining BlackRock's web pages with your (or a third party's) web pages such that the pages (or any portion of them) appear together in a single browser window.
No Relationship
You will explicitly inform recipients of Content and viewers of your web pages that have links to this Site that your distribution of Content or linking to this Site in no way indicates that either BlackRock is sponsoring, endorsing, or promoting you or your products or services and that you are not affiliated with BlackRock. You understand and agree that you and BlackRock (or any of its affiliates) have not entered into any partnership, association, or joint venture.
Restrictions
All rights, title, and interest in and to the Site, Data and Content are and will remain the exclusive property of BlackRock and its licensors. The Site, Data and Content are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws, regulations, and international treaties. Except explicitly permitted above, you agree not to sell, copy, publish, distribute, transfer, modify, display, reproduce, or create any derivative works from this Site or the Data and Content. You further agree not to:
|
Use any Data or Content or distribute any Data or Content in competition with the iShares funds or BlackRock or to their detriment; Access, tamper with, or use non-public areas of the Site, BlackRock's computer systems, or the technical delivery systems of BlackRock's providers; Attempt to access or search the Site, Data or Content with any engine, software, tool, agent, device, or mechanism other than the software or search agents provided by BlackRock or other generally available third party web browsers (such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox); Attempt to decipher, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer any of the software used to provide the Site, Data or Content; or Interfere with Site access by sending a virus, overloading, flooding, spamming, or mail-bombing the Site. |
No Warranty
THE SITE, DATA, AND CONTENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TEXT, GRAPHICS, LINKS AND OTHER ITEMS, HAS BEEN PREPARED BASED UPON SOURCES, MATERIALS, AND SYSTEMS BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE AND ACCURATE, AND ARE PROVIDED TO YOU ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. BLACKROCK AND OUR VENDORS, CONTENT PROVIDERS AND OTHER PROVIDERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS, AND DISCLAIM ALL EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AND STATUTORY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS, AND FREEDOM FROM COMPUTER VIRUSES. BLACKROCK AND OUR VENDORS, CONTENT PROVIDERS AND OTHER PROVIDERS ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN, OR DELAY OR INABILITY TO ACCESS, THE SITE, DATA, OR CONTENT. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED FROM BLACKROCK (OUTSIDE OF A FORMAL WRITTEN AGREEMENT) OR THROUGH THE SITE OR CONTENT WILL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY MADE IN THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. BlackRock reserves the right to cease providing, or to change, the site and content (or any portion or feature thereof) at any time or frequency and without notice.
The Site contains links to third-party websites or resources. You acknowledge and agree that BlackRock is not responsible or liable for the availability, accuracy, or content of such websites or resources. Links to such websites or resources do not imply any endorsement by BlackRock.
Guard Your Password and Information
You are responsible for safeguarding the password that you use to access any secure areas of the Site. You agree not to disclose your password to any third party. You are to take sole responsibility for any activities or actions under your password, whether or not you have authorized such activities or actions. If you suspect any unauthorized use of your password, please call 1-800-iShares and request to have your password changed.
Fair Practices
You agree not to: (i) make any representations, warranties or guarantees on BlackRock's behalf or with respect to the Content or Data; (ii) make any false or misleading representations with regard to BlackRock or the Data and Content; or (iii) participate or engage in any illegal, deceptive, misleading, unethical, or improper practices.
Effect of Termination
Your obligations, the warranties disclaimers, the indemnification, and the limitation of liability will survive any termination or expiration of these Terms and Conditions. You acknowledge that your failure following termination of your rights under these Terms and Conditions to cease linking to the Site, distributing the Content, using the Data and using any of the Marks will result in immediate and irreparable harm to BlackRock for which there is no adequate remedy at law. BlackRock will be entitled to bring an action or proceeding for specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable relief in addition to any other remedies.
Important iShares Funds Disclosures
The iShares Funds ("Funds") are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co ("SEI"). BlackRock Fund Advisors ("BFA") serves as the investment advisor to the Funds. BFA is a subsidiary of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., neither of which is affiliated with SEI. Carefully consider the iShares Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737), or by viewing or downloading a prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
In addition to the normal risks associated with equity investing, narrowly focused investments, investments in smaller companies and investments in single countries typically exhibit higher volatility. International investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. Bonds and bond funds will decrease in value as interest rates rise. A portion of the Fund's income may be subject to federal or state income taxes or the alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.
An investment in the Fund(s) is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The trading prices of iShares Funds will fluctuate in accordance with changes in their NAVs as well as market supply and demand. Although market makers will generally take advantage of differences between the NAV and the trading price of iShares Fund shares through arbitrage opportunities, there is no guarantee that they will do so.
The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC, European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA®"), FTSE International Limited ("FTSE"), iBoxx®, JPMorgan Chase & Co., MSCI Inc., Morningstar, Inc., The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), New York Stock Exchange, Inc., Russell Investment Group or Standard & Poor's, nor are they sponsored, endorsed or issued by Barclays Capital. None of these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds. Neither SEI, nor BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., nor any of their affiliates, are affiliated with the companies listed above.
This information is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares in the fund, nor shall any such shares be offered or sold to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
For investors who purchase shares on the Singapore Stock Exchange, the offering and issuance of iShares will be made in accordance with, or accompanied by, a copy of the Singapore Statement for iShares Trust and a copy of the Singapore Prospectus for iShares, Inc.
Privacy Policy
Any data transmitted to iShares through this website will be considered private and confidential. iShares and its service providers, including BlackRock and SEI, will hold themselves to the highest possible standard of trust in the safekeeping and use of your personal information. Personal information provided to iShares may be used for the purpose of offering or furnishing iShares products and services. To provide you with information about such products or services, or to provide an appropriate level of service, your personal information may be forwarded to firms that help market or service iShares products.
The Internet is not yet a fully secure medium, and therefore confidentiality and privacy cannot be ensured. iShares and its service providers will not be liable for any harm or damage you may experience by sending personal or confidential information to iShares over the Internet by email.
Downloading and Ownership of Other Material
Internet software or transmission problems may produce inaccurate or incomplete copies of information and materials that may be downloaded and displayed on a user's computer. BlackRock is not liable for any damages, changes, or omissions that occur during transmission of information and materials.
The investments and strategies discussed in the contents may not be suitable for all investors and are not obligations of BlackRock or its affiliates or guaranteed by BlackRock or its affiliates. The investments are not bank deposits and are not insured by the FDIC or any other entity and are subject to investment risks, including loss of the principal amount invested. The contents do not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities, and/or any other financial instruments.
The contents of this site are not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. BlackRock makes no representations that the contents are appropriate for use in all locations, or that the transactions, securities, products, instruments, or services discussed on this site are available or appropriate for sale or use in all jurisdictions or countries, or by all investors or counterparties. All persons and entities accessing this site do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with applicable local laws and regulations.
No Data on this site may be copied, reproduced, repackaged, redistributed, sold, leased, licensed, sublicensed, altered, adapted or stored for subsequent use without the written consent of BlackRock.
IN NO EVENT SHALL BLACKROCK BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SITE OR THE USE THEREOF OR INABILITY TO USE BY ANY PARTY, OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, ERROR, OMISSION, INTERRUPTION, DEFECT, DELAY IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER VIRUS, OR LINE OR SYSTEM FAILURE, EVEN IF BlackRock, OR REPRESENTATIVES THEREOF, ARE ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, LOSSES, OR EXPENSES. USE OF HYPERLINKS TO OTHER INTERNET RESOURCES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Adobe®, Acrobat®, Acrobat® Reader, and the Acrobat logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Copyright, trademark, and other forms of proprietary rights protect the contents of the site. The contents are owned or controlled by BlackRock or the party credited as the provider of the contents.
Moody's Proprietary Rights Notice
©2009 Moody's Analytics, Inc. and its licensors ("Moody's"). Moody's ratings ("Ratings") are proprietary to Moody's and/or its licensors and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Ratings are licensed to BlackRock by Moody's. RATINGS MAY NOT BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.
You agree and acknowledge that Moody's rating data is and shall remain the valuable intellectual property owned by, or licensed to, Moody's Analytics, Inc., ("Moody's") and that no proprietary rights are being transferred to you in such materials or in any of the information contained therein. You agree that misappropriation or misuse of such materials shall cause serious damage to Moody's and that in such event money damages may not constitute sufficient compensation to Moody's; consequently you agree that in the event of any misappropriation or misuse, Moody's shall have the right to obtain injunctive relief in addition to any other legal or financial remedies to which Moody's may be entitled.
Moody's Securities Disclosures
Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("MIS") hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MIS have, prior to assignment of any rating, agreed to pay to MIS for the appraisal and rating services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,500 to $2,400,000. Moody's Corporation (MCO) and its wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary, MIS also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of MIS's ratings and rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold ratings from MIS and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually on Moody's website at www.moodys.com under the heading "Shareholder Relations — Corporate Governance — Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy."
Subscriber expressly agrees, on behalf of itself and each other person or entity that it permits to use any Information ("User"), that (a) the credit ratings and other opinions contained in such Information are, and will be construed solely as, statements of opinion and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold or sell any securities, (b) each rating or other opinion will be weighed solely as one factor in any investment decision made by or on behalf of Subscriber or any User, and (c) it will accordingly make its own study and evaluation of each security, and of each issuer and guarantor of, and each provider of credit support for, each security that it may consider purchasing, holding or selling.
Index Provider Disclosures
"Standard & Poor's®," "S&P®," "S&P 500®," "Standard & Poor's 500," "S&P MidCap 400® Index," "S&P SmallCap 600® Index," "S&P 500® Growth Index," "S&P 500® Value Index," "S&P MidCap 400® Growth Index," "S&P MidCap 400® Value Index," "S&P SmallCap 600® Growth Index," "S&P SmallCap 600® Value Index," and "S&P Europe 350 Index," are trademarks of Standard & Poor's and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BlackRock. The funds that are based on S&P indexes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Standard & Poor's, and Standard & Poor's makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares Funds.
Russell Investment Group, Russell 1000® Index, Russell 2000® Index, Russell 3000® Index, Russell 1000® Value Index, Russell 1000® Growth Index, Russell 2000® Value Index, Russell 2000® Growth Index, Russell 3000® Value Index and Russell 3000® Growth Index are trademarks of Russell Investment Group and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BlackRock. The funds that are based on the Russell indexes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Russell Investment Group, and Russell Investment Group makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares Funds.
The MSCI Index names are trademarks of MSCI Inc. and have been licensed for use by BlackRock. The product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MSCI Inc. and MSCI Inc. makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in any product.
Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index, Dow Jones U.S. Index, Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index, Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Goods Index, Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index, Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index, Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index, Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, Dow Jones U.S. Industrials Index, Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index, Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Health Care Providers Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Investment Services Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Medical Equipment Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Equipment & Services Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index, Dow Jones U.S. Select Regional Banks Index, Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index, Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Index, Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, and Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index are products of Dow Jones Indexes, the marketing name and a licensed trademark of CME Group Index Services LLC ("CME Indexes") and have been licensed for use. "Dow Jones®", and "Dow Jones Indexes" are servicemarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC ("Dow Jones"), have been licensed to CME Indexes and have been sublicensed for use for certain purposes by BlackRock. iShares Funds based on the Dow Jones Indexes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones, CME Indexes or their respective affiliates and Dow Jones, CME Indexes and their respective affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s).
Cohen & Steers is a trademark and Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index® is a registered trademark of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (Cohen & Steers), and both trademarks have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BlackRock. The fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Cohen & Steers, and Cohen & Steers makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares Funds.
The Nasdaq Biotechnology®, Nasdaq Biotechnology Index®, and Nasdaq® are trademarks or servicemarks of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (that with its affiliates are the Corporations) and are licensed for use by BlackRock. The product or products have not been passed on by the Corporations as to their legality or suitability. The product or products are not issued, endorsed, sold, or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.
The aforementioned index providers are not sponsors of the BlackRock strategies referenced on this website, they are not affiliated with BlackRock, and they make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the strategies.
The performance of iShares Funds is not guaranteed by BlackRock and the product or products are not insured by the FDIC, are not obligations or deposits of, or guaranteed by, BlackRock or its affiliates, and involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal.
Important information about iShares Funds is contained in current prospectuses. Copies of the prospectuses are available from dealers who may lawfully offer iShares Funds. Click here to download the prospectuses.
©2011 BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. All rights reserved. iShares® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. BlackRock® is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
