Version dated February 28, 2026
These Terms of Service govern the use of the interactive SonoFUN database at database.sonofun.live.
This platform is provided jointly by Carl&Mahren GbR, Böblingerstrasse 19, 70178 Stuttgart, represented by Cornelius Carl and Nicolas Mahren ("Carl&Mahren"), and by Dr. med. Michael Höpfner, Gesellschaft für innovative Sonographie (GefiS), Schanzenstr. 35, 34130 Kassel, email: m_hoepfner@hotmail.com ("Dr. Höpfner / GefiS").
Carl&Mahren is responsible for the technical concept, software development, hosting, platform operations, maintenance, and the technical interfaces of the SonoFUN database. Dr. Höpfner / GefiS is responsible for the medical and editorial concept, the creation and maintenance of the content, and the provision of case, image, video, and volume data.
Dr. Michael Höpfner is expressly a co-provider and contractual party to these Terms and Conditions. His role as content provider, medical contributor, and rights holder remains in place even if technical services are provided in whole or in part by Carl&Mahren or in cooperation with third parties.
The SonoFUN database is an interactive knowledge, learning, and training platform with examinable volume, image, and media content, particularly for physicians, medical students, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals.
These Terms and Conditions apply to all registered and non-registered uses of the platform and to all free and paid offerings, unless otherwise agreed in writing for a specific case.
Access to protected content requires registration and the assignment of personal access credentials. The information provided during registration must be complete and accurate and must be updated without delay if it changes.
Access credentials are personal and may not be shared with third parties. Carl&Mahren and Dr. Höpfner / GefiS may suspend or revoke access in the event of a breach of these Terms and Conditions.
The content of the SonoFUN database is provided solely for information, training, and learning purposes. It does not constitute binding diagnostic, treatment, or therapy instructions and does not replace medical review or clinical decision-making in any individual case.
Any information obtained through use of the platform must be professionally reviewed independently in the specific case. Use of the SonoFUN database is therefore at the user's own risk and subject to the current state of science and professional practice.
The platform may be temporarily restricted for technical, organizational, or maintenance reasons. Carl&Mahren endeavors to provide stable and secure operations; however, uninterrupted availability at all times is not owed unless expressly agreed otherwise.
Unless expressly indicated otherwise, Dr. Michael Höpfner is the author and/or exclusive rights holder of the medical content and media contributed to the SonoFUN database. This includes, in particular, case data, chapters, tasks, solutions, comments, texts, images, graphics, videos, volume datasets, findings, audio materials, and other media-based content.
The copyright and related rights in this content remain with Dr. Michael Höpfner or with the rights holders effectively included by him. Carl&Mahren's involvement in software, hosting, or platform operations does not transfer any rights in the medical content or media. Cooperation with third parties likewise does not result in any transfer of such rights unless explicitly agreed in writing.
Carl&Mahren owns or licenses the rights to the technical platform, software, source code, database structure, design, and other technical functionalities, to the extent that such rights are not held by Dr. Höpfner / GefiS or by third parties.
Users receive only a simple, non-transferable, non-sublicensable right, limited to the term of the respective use relationship, to use the platform and its content as intended. In particular, reproduction, disclosure, public communication, sublicensing, rental, sale, systematic archiving, or any other commercial use of the content or access credentials is prohibited without the prior written consent of the respective rights holder.
The use of all content on this website for text and data mining is reserved to the extent permitted by law. Storing or analyzing the content for commercial, private, or non-scientific text and data mining purposes is not permitted without separate written permission.
Use is permitted only within the agreed purpose of use. In particular, copying or exporting protected content outside the provided functions, sharing accounts, circumventing technical protection measures, reverse engineering the platform, using the platform for competitive analysis, or any unlawful or reputation-damaging use is prohibited.
Where users are able to post comments or other content, they confirm that they are entitled to do so and that no third-party rights are infringed. Unlawful, offensive, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate content may be removed by Carl&Mahren and/or Dr. Höpfner / GefiS.
Carl&Mahren and Dr. Höpfner / GefiS assume no responsibility for the content of linked or embedded external sites; their respective operators are solely responsible.
For paid offerings, the prices, scope of services, and terms shown during the order process apply. The usage fee is due upon conclusion of the contract unless otherwise agreed in an individual case.
Consumers are entitled to the statutory right of withdrawal for distance contracts. Any withdrawal must be addressed to Dr. Michael Höpfner, Gesellschaft für innovative Sonographie (GefiS), Schanzenstr. 35, 34130 Kassel, email: m_hoepfner@hotmail.com. If performance begins during the withdrawal period at the user's express request, compensation for the value of the services already provided shall be owed in accordance with applicable law.
The right to terminate for cause remains unaffected. Cause exists in particular in the event of serious or repeated breaches of these Terms and Conditions.
The content and functions of the SonoFUN database are provided with great care. Nevertheless, to the extent permitted by law, Carl&Mahren and Dr. Höpfner / GefiS assume no warranty for the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, technical availability, or suitability of the content and functions for a specific purpose or a particular treatment case.
To the extent permitted by law, the liability of Carl&Mahren and Dr. Höpfner / GefiS for damage caused by ordinary negligence is excluded. In the event of an ordinarily negligent breach of essential contractual obligations, liability is limited to the foreseeable damage typical for the contract.
Mandatory statutory liability for intent, gross negligence, injury to life, body, or health, and any other cases in which liability limitations are not permitted by law remains unaffected. No liability is assumed beyond these mandatory statutory cases.
Information on the processing of personal data and the use of cookies is set out in the separate Privacy Policy. Technically necessary cookies may be used to provide the platform; optional cookies depend on the consent settings displayed to the user.
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. If the user is a merchant, a legal entity under public law, or a special fund under public law, the legally permissible place of jurisdiction shall apply to disputes involving Dr. Höpfner / GefiS; for disputes relating exclusively to the technical operation by Carl&Mahren, the legally permissible place of jurisdiction of Carl&Mahren shall apply in addition.
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is or becomes invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.