Data Sources, Citation Rights, and Copyright

1. Data Sources

The analyses published on this website draw on product quality scores from independent European consumer testing organisations, including:

• dTest (Czech Republic; dtest.cz) — a non-profit consumer organisation.
• Stiftung Warentest (Germany; test.de) — an independent foundation established by the German federal parliament.
• Which? (United Kingdom; which.co.uk) — an independent consumer charity.
• UFC-Que Choisir (France; quechoisir.org) — an independent consumer association.

Access to full test results from all organisations requires paid subscriptions. Data were obtained through legitimate subscriber accounts in accordance with each service's terms.

2. Legal Framework for Data Use

Individual test scores are cited on this website under the quotation right for scientific and academic works as provided by the following legal bases:

• § 31 of Czech Act No. 121/2000 Coll. (Copyright Act) — quotation in a scientific or expert work for the purpose of clarifying its content, with attribution of author, title, and source.
• § 51 UrhG (German Copyright Act) — Zitatrecht: quotation of a published work in an independent scientific work for explanation or evidence. Stiftung Warentest explicitly confirms that citation of individual test results (e.g., "Product X scored 2.3") under § 51 UrhG is permissible.
• EU Directive 2019/790, Article 3 — exception for text and data mining for the purposes of scientific research by organisations with lawful access to the content.

3. What This Website Displays and What It Does Not

This website serves as an independent analytical platform, not as a substitute for the agencies' subscription services. Specifically:

We display (under quotation right):

• Aggregate statistics — brand averages, category trends, correlations
• Cross-agency comparisons — correlation analyses, score deviations
• Derived metrics — Durability Score (Ds), IKOR Index, brand typology
• Charts, heatmaps, and visualisations based on statistical analysis
• Individual score citations in the context of original analytical work

We do not display:

• Complete test protocols or agencies' methodology descriptions
• Full sub-criteria breakdown tables
• Original text reviews or articles from the agencies
• A search tool that could substitute for an agency subscription

Readers seeking a complete test report for a specific product are directed to the respective agency's website.

4. Agency Copyright Policies

Stiftung Warentest

Articles and test results from Stiftung Warentest are protected as literary works under German copyright law. Stiftung Warentest explicitly reserves the right to text and data mining under § 44b UrhG — any use of content from test.de for TDM requires prior written permission. Reproduction of entire articles or tests is prohibited. Citation of individual results under § 51 UrhG (quotation right) in an independent scientific work is permissible with source attribution.

Which?

Which? content is protected by UK copyright law. General terms and conditions prohibit reproduction, distribution, or republication without prior written consent. Copyright enquiries should be directed to endorsementscheme@which.co.uk.

dTest

© dTest, o.p.s., all rights reserved. Czech copyright law (Act No. 121/2000 Coll.) applies. The quotation exception (§ 31) permits use of excerpts for scientific purposes with proper source attribution.

UFC-Que Choisir

UFC-Que Choisir content is protected by French intellectual property law (Code de la propriété intellectuelle). Citation for scientific purposes is permissible under the analysis and short quotation exception (L. 122-5, 3°).

5. Contact

For questions regarding data use or copyright, contact: info@durability.institute

If you are a representative of one of the above testing organisations and have a question or concern about how your data is cited, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter.

6. Effective Date

This legal information is effective as of 1 June 2026.