Skip to content

Clinicians › Hand

Felon (Fingertip Pulp Infection)

26 citationsUpdated Sep 2026

For patients: a plain-language version of this topic is available. See the patient guide.

Overview

Paronychias and felons represent the most common infections of the hand [8]. While hand infections encompass a diverse array of entities with the potential for serious morbidity [10], they are associated with a high rate of complications that are often difficult to manage [5]. Early identification and treatment are essential to achieve optimal outcomes, as delayed diagnosis can result in amputation or death [2]. Although osteomyelitis of the hand is uncommon, it can have devastating effects on hand function if not adequately and promptly treated [3].

Given the severity of potential outcomes, it is essential for emergency physicians to be familiar with the management of finger felons and paronychias [1]. In the postoperative phase following excision of uncomplicated paronychia and felon, antibiotics are not needed in patients who are not at risk [9].

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

Anatomical Structure of the Fingertip Pulp

A felon is defined as an abscess in the subcutaneous tissues of the distal pulp of a finger or thumb [20]. The distal digital pulp is divided into tiny compartments by strong fibrous septa that traverse from skin to bone, creating a tight septal compartment [20, 38]. A transverse fibrous curtain is present at the distal flexor finger crease [20]. The skin covering each finger measures 7 cm by 10 cm on both the palmar and dorsal aspects [31]. The distal phalanx possesses a dual blood supply [15]. Due to the compartmentalized nature of the pulp, swelling causes immediate pain due to increased pressure within the pulp [20].

Pathophysiology and Progression of Infection

Infection is typically caused by a penetrating injury from a foreign body or medical finger sticks [20]. S. aureus is the organism most commonly isolated from fingertip infections [20]. Initial presentation includes swelling, redness, and pain typical of cellulitis, with abscess formation potentially following rapidly after these initial symptoms [20]. Abscesses may occasionally form in the middle and proximal digital pulps [20]. If a felon lesion is relatively superficial, purulence may point palmarly, a condition known as an apical abscess [38].

Untreated or progressing infections lead to specific complications based on anatomical extension: * Periosteal Extension: A pulp abscess can extend into the periosteum around the nail bed, causing paronychia [20]. * Proximal Extension: A pulp abscess can extend proximally through the fibrous curtain into the flexor sheath, leading to flexor tenosynovitis [20]. * Deep Penetration: Deep abscesses that are untreated can penetrate the periosteum and cause osteomyelitis or septic joint [20]. * Superficial Necrosis: More superficial abscesses can cause skin necrosis [20].

Complications of a felon include loss of pulp tissue, osteomyelitis, epiphyseal damage, and septic arthritis [38]. Delayed diagnosis of hand infections can result in amputation or death [2].

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

Felons are recognized clinically by intense pain, erythema, and palmar swelling of the fingertip [38]. The diagnosis of an abscess in the fingertip area is sometimes difficult [20]. An abscess is usually present if severe pain has lasted for 12 hours or longer [20]. Hand and upper-extremity infections are usually a clinical diagnosis, but imaging and laboratory evaluation aid in diagnosis [13]. A high index of suspicion coupled with excellent knowledge of hand anatomy and function allows for accurate diagnosis and effective management of deep space infections [14]. Atypical hand infections are difficult to recognize and treat due to their indolent nature and nonspecific symptoms [7].

Epidemiology and Prevalence

No specific epidemiological data is provided in the source evidence for this subsection.

Diagnostic Challenges and Mimics

Chronic hand infections are uncommon and require a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis [12]. Herpetic whitlow is a viral infection of the hand caused by HSV-1 and -2 [23]. Herpetic whitlow has a higher prevalence in HIV-positive patients and has been reported to be the first manifestation of previously undiagnosed HIV [23]. The presentation of herpetic whitlow begins with a single vesicle or cluster of vesicles that arise on a single-digit days after minor trauma to the skin [23]. The most frequent locations for herpetic whitlow include the terminal phalanx of the thumb, index, or long finger near the nail [23]. Herpetic whitlow vesicles coalesce to form a larger bulla, similar in appearance to a bacterial felon or paronychia [23].

Notable distinctions of herpetic whitlow include the formation of nonpurulent vesicles or bullae [23]. In herpetic whitlow, the tension in the pulp space of the digit is not increased unless secondary bacterial infection is present [23]. The terms 'whitlow' and 'felon' in the context of herpetic whitlow are distinct conditions [23]. The general term 'felon' is not representative of the presentation or the treatment of herpetic whitlow [23].

Diagnostic Modalities

A high index of suspicion coupled with an excellent knowledge of hand anatomy and function allows for an accurate diagnosis and effective management of deep space infections [14]. Early identification of atypical hand infections requires appropriate laboratory testing [7]. Laboratory diagnosis of herpetic whitlow involves Tzanck smear of scrapings, serum antibody titers, lesion-specific antigen detection, and viral cultures [23].

Risk Factors and Comorbidities

HIV infection increased the risk of developing a hand infection but did not lead to an increased risk of revision surgery or ablation [16]. Renal disease and diabetes increase the risk of failed outpatient management of cellulitic hand infections [21].

Clinical Presentation

Anatomy and Pathophysiology

A felon is defined as an abscess located in the subcutaneous tissues of the distal pulp of a finger or thumb [20]. The distal digital pulp is anatomically divided into tiny compartments by strong fibrous septa that traverse the tissue from skin to bone [20]. Swelling within these compartments causes immediate pain, which is intensified by the resulting increase in pressure within the pulp [20]. Abscesses may occasionally form in the middle and proximal digital pulps [20].

Etiology and Risk Factors

Infection typically arises from a penetrating injury caused by a foreign body or from "finger sticks" performed for medical reasons, such as hematocrit and blood glucose determinations [20]. Acute felon represents an unusual but aggressive manifestation of taxane-related nail dystrophy; this presentation must be distinguished from chronic subungual abscesses in immunocompromised patients [22].

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

Initial presentation includes swelling, redness, and pain typical of cellulitis [20]. Abscess formation may follow rapidly after these initial signs of cellulitis [20]. Hand and upper-extremity infections are usually a clinical diagnosis [13]. Accurate diagnosis of deep space infections relies on a high index of suspicion coupled with excellent knowledge of hand anatomy and function [14]. Chronic hand infections specifically require a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis [12].

Complications and Progression

Untreated abscesses beginning deep within the pulp penetrate the periosteum, causing osteomyelitis or septic joint [20]. More superficial abscesses cause skin necrosis [20]. The pulp abscess can extend into the periosteum around the nail bed, causing paronychia [20]. Alternatively, the infection can extend proximally through the fibrous curtain into the flexor sheath, leading to flexor tenosynovitis [20].

Investigations

Clinical Diagnosis and History: A careful physical examination is essential to direct care and future testing if indicated [19]. Patients often have difficulty accurately describing their symptoms and may incorrectly attribute pathology to a perceived deficit [19]. Atypical hand infections are difficult to recognize due to their indolent nature and nonspecific symptoms [7].

Imaging: Imaging evaluation aids in the diagnosis of hand and upper-extremity infections [13]. Diagnostic tests such as imaging are useful in determining the scope of possible pathologic processes but can be expensive, time consuming, and often nonspecific [19]. Early osteomyelitis of the bone can be detected long before the roentgenogram reveals evidences of destruction [42].

Laboratory: Laboratory evaluation aids in the diagnosis of hand and upper-extremity infections [13]. Serum laboratory studies are useful in determining the scope of possible pathologic processes but can be expensive, time consuming, and often nonspecific [19]. Early identification of atypical hand infections through appropriate laboratory testing is imperative for eradication of the causative organism [7].

Treatment

Non-Operative

The management of felon is based entirely on tradition and expert opinion, with no primary data regarding management found in the literature [24]. A prospective multicenter trial showed no significant difference in infection rate in elective hand surgery whether antibiotics were administered preoperatively or not [45].

Operative

Indications: Early identification and treatment of hand infections are essential to achieve optimal outcomes [2]. Atypical hand infections require early identification through appropriate laboratory testing and surgical treatment paired with medical management for eradication of the causative organism [7].

Surgical Approach / Technique: Management of osteomyelitis of the hand and wrist should consist of a combined surgical and medical approach to achieve the most favorable outcome [11]. Early amputation to maximize disease-free survival may be appropriate for patients with hand osteomyelitis and arterial calcification [26].

Complications

Osteomyelitis: Osteomyelitis of the hand can have devastating effects on hand function if not adequately and promptly treated [3].

Wound complications: Incision and drainage in herpetic whitlow is contraindicated because it can potentially lead to secondary bacterial infection [23].

Recovery

Light activity (weeks): Normal function recovery can be achieved in 3 weeks following treatment with a lateral-ungual approach using a nail bed or finger pulp flap [4].

Other Considerations: Wound infections and nail deformities are not observed following treatment with a lateral-ungual approach using a nail bed or finger pulp flap [4]. Removal of the major portion of the distal phalanx with preservation of the base often results in regeneration of the phalanx [15].

Key Evidence

  • [L5] It is essential for emergency physicians to be familiar with the management of finger felons and paronychias. [1] (10.1016/j.jemermed.2025.07.054)
  • [L5] Early identification and treatment of hand infections are essential to achieve optimal outcomes, as delayed diagnosis can result in amputation or death. [2] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.05.027)
  • [L5] Osteomyelitis of the hand is uncommon but can have devastating effects on hand function if not adequately and promptly treated. [3] (10.1177/1753193415612373)
  • [L4] The lateral-ungual approach with nail bed or finger pulp flap allows full access to the subungual or finger pulp region without disturbing nail bed organization, resulting in significant pain improvement, normal function recovery in 3 weeks, and no wound infections or nail deformities. [4] (10.1177/1753193410397980)
  • [L5] Hand infections are associated with a high rate of complications that are often difficult to manage. [5] (10.1016/j.hcl.2020.03.010)
  • [L4] Atypical hand infections are difficult to recognize and treat due to their indolent nature and nonspecific symptoms; early identification through appropriate laboratory testing and surgical treatment paired with medical management is imperative for eradication of the causative organism. [7] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.09.023)
  • [L5] Paronychias and felons are the most common hand infections. [8] (10.1016/s0749-0712(21)00416-9)
  • [L2] The findings confirm that antibiotics are not needed in the postoperative phase after excision of uncomplicated paronychia and felon in patients who are not at risk. [9] (10.1016/j.hansur.2015.12.003)
  • [L5] Hand infections include a diverse array of entities with potential for serious morbidity. [10] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.05.035)
  • [L5] Management of osteomyelitis of the hand and wrist should consist of a combined surgical and medical approach to achieve the most favorable outcome. [11] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2009.03.020)
  • [L5] Chronic hand infections are uncommon and require a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis; they are grouped by microorganism into bacterial (mycobacterial and others), fungal, and viral types, with specific presentations and treatments emphasized for each. [12] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.04.003)
  • [L5] Hand and upper-extremity infections are usually a clinical diagnosis, but imaging and laboratory evaluation aid in diagnosis. [13] (10.1016/j.hcl.2020.03.002)
  • [L5] A high index of suspicion coupled with an excellent knowledge of hand anatomy and function allows for an accurate diagnosis and effective management of deep space infections. [14] (10.1016/j.hcl.2020.03.014)
  • [L4] The distal phalanx has a dual blood supply, and removal of the major portion of the phalanx and preservation of the base will often give startling results in the regeneration of the phalanx. [15] (10.1001/archsurg.1942.01210240092006)
  • [L3] HIV infection increased the risk of developing a hand infection but did not lead to an increased risk of revision surgery or ablation. [16] (10.1177/1753193420977791)
  • [L3] [21] (10.1186/s13018-023-03911-5)
  • [Case_report] Acute felon is an unusual but aggressive manifestation of taxane-related nail dystrophy that must be distinguished from chronic subungual abscesses in immunocompromised patients. [22] (10.1007/s11552-007-9029-3)
  • [L5] [23] (10.1016/j.hcl.2020.03.008)
  • [L5] The management of felon is based entirely on tradition and expert opinion, with no primary data regarding management found in the literature. [24] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.08.002)
  • [L4] Early amputation to maximize disease-free survival may be appropriate for patients with hand osteomyelitis and arterial calcification. [26] (10.1177/1753193420981871)
  • [L4] Early osteomyelitis of the bone can be detected long before the roentgenogram reveals evidences of destruction. [42] (10.1097/00000658-194001000-00013)
  • [L2] Our prospective multicenter trial showed no significant difference in infection rate in elective hand surgery whether antibiotics were administered preoperatively or not. [45] (10.1177/1558944719842238)

See Also

References

[1] Management of Finger Felons and Paronychia: A Narrative Review. The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2025.07.054

[2] Hand Infections. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.05.027

[3] Osteomyelitis of the hand. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2015. DOI: 10.1177/1753193415612373

[4] The treatment of finger glomus tumours by raising a full thickness nail bed flap or finger pulp flap. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2011. DOI: 10.1177/1753193410397980

[5] Complications of Hand Infections. Hand Clinics. 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.hcl.2020.03.010

[7] Atypical Hand Infections. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.09.023

[8] INFECTIONS OF THE FINGERTIP. Hand Clinics. 1998. DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0712(21)00416-9

[9] Acute felon and paronychia: Antibiotics not necessary after surgical treatment. Prospective study of 46 patients. Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation. 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.hansur.2015.12.003

[10] Hand Infections. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2011. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.05.035

[11] Current Recommendations in the Management of Osteomyelitis of the Hand and Wrist. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2009. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2009.03.020

[12] Chronic Hand Infections. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.04.003

[13] Imaging and Laboratory Workup for Hand Infections. Hand Clinics. 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.hcl.2020.03.002

[14] Hand Abscesses. Hand Clinics. 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.hcl.2020.03.014

[15] END RESULTS OF A NEW INCISION FOR FELON (INFECTION OF THE ANTERIOR SPACE). Archives of Surgery. 1942. DOI: 10.1001/archsurg.1942.01210240092006

[16] Factors affecting suboptimal outcomes in hand infections. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2020. DOI: 10.1177/1753193420977791

[19] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Anatomy, Evaluation, Clinical Examination, and Imaging > Evaluation and Clinical Examination: Current Concepts.

[20] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. TUMORS AND TUMOROUS CONDITIONS OF THE HAND > FELON.

[21] Renal disease and diabetes increase the risk of failed outpatient management of cellulitic hand infections: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-03911-5

[22] Acute Felon as a Complication of Systemic Paclitaxel Therapy: Case Report and Review of the Literature. HAND. 2007. DOI: 10.1007/s11552-007-9029-3

[23] Hand Infections Associated with Systemic Conditions. Hand Clinics. 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.hcl.2020.03.008

[24] Diagnosis and Management of the Acute Felon: Evidence-Based Review. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2012. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.08.002

[26] Hand osteomyelitis in arterial calcification, diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal failure: a comparison of 210 cases over 12 years. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2021. DOI: 10.1177/1753193420981871

[31] Exam Of The Hand Wrist 2Ed. Planning skin cover of the hand and forearm.

[38] Tachdjian S Pediatric Orthopaedics From The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital For Children E Book. Felon.

[42] NEW INCISION FOR CLOSED SPACE INFECTION (FELON) INVOLVING DISTAL PHALANX OF FINGER. Annals of Surgery. 1940. DOI: 10.1097/00000658-194001000-00013

[45] Prospective Analysis of Hand Infection Rates in Elective Soft Tissue Procedures of the Hand: The Role of Preoperative Antibiotics. HAND. 2019. DOI: 10.1177/1558944719842238

Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0

CC Creative Commons licence
BY Attribution — you must credit the source
NC NonCommercial — not for commercial use

Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International


Creative Commons Corporation ("Creative Commons") is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal advice. Distribution of Creative Commons public licenses does not create a lawyer-client or other relationship. Creative Commons makes its licenses and related information available on an "as-is" basis. Creative Commons gives no warranties regarding its licenses, any material licensed under their terms and conditions, or any related information. Creative Commons disclaims all liability for damages resulting from their use to the fullest extent possible.

Using Creative Commons Public Licenses

Creative Commons public licenses provide a standard set of terms and conditions that creators and other rights holders may use to share original works of authorship and other material subject to copyright and certain other rights specified in the public license below. The following considerations are for informational purposes only, are not exhaustive, and do not form part of our licenses.

Considerations for licensors: Our public licenses are intended for use by those authorized to give the public permission to use material in ways otherwise restricted by copyright and certain other rights. Our licenses are irrevocable. Licensors should read and understand the terms and conditions of the license they choose before applying it. Licensors should also secure all rights necessary before applying our licenses so that the public can reuse the material as expected. Licensors should clearly mark any material not subject to the license. This includes other CC- licensed material, or material used under an exception or limitation to copyright. More considerations for licensors: wiki.creativecommons.org/Considerations_for_licensors

Considerations for the public: By using one of our public licenses, a licensor grants the public permission to use the licensed material under specified terms and conditions. If the licensor's permission is not necessary for any reason--for example, because of any applicable exception or limitation to copyright--then that use is not regulated by the license. Our licenses grant only permissions under copyright and certain other rights that a licensor has authority to grant. Use of the licensed material may still be restricted for other reasons, including because others have copyright or other rights in the material. A licensor may make special requests, such as asking that all changes be marked or described. Although not required by our licenses, you are encouraged to respect those requests where reasonable. More considerations for the public: wiki.creativecommons.org/Considerations_for_licensees


Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License

By exercising the Licensed Rights (defined below), You accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License ("Public License"). To the extent this Public License may be interpreted as a contract, You are granted the Licensed Rights in consideration of Your acceptance of these terms and conditions, and the Licensor grants You such rights in consideration of benefits the Licensor receives from making the Licensed Material available under these terms and conditions.

Section 1 -- Definitions.

a. Adapted Material means material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights that is derived from or based upon the Licensed Material and in which the Licensed Material is translated, altered, arranged, transformed, or otherwise modified in a manner requiring permission under the Copyright and Similar Rights held by the Licensor. For purposes of this Public License, where the Licensed Material is a musical work, performance, or sound recording, Adapted Material is always produced where the Licensed Material is synched in timed relation with a moving image.

b. Adapter's License means the license You apply to Your Copyright and Similar Rights in Your contributions to Adapted Material in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Public License.

c. Copyright and Similar Rights means copyright and/or similar rights closely related to copyright including, without limitation, performance, broadcast, sound recording, and Sui Generis Database Rights, without regard to how the rights are labeled or categorized. For purposes of this Public License, the rights specified in Section 2(b)(1)-(2) are not Copyright and Similar Rights.

d. Effective Technological Measures means those measures that, in the absence of proper authority, may not be circumvented under laws fulfilling obligations under Article 11 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty adopted on December 20, 1996, and/or similar international agreements.

e. Exceptions and Limitations means fair use, fair dealing, and/or any other exception or limitation to Copyright and Similar Rights that applies to Your use of the Licensed Material.

f. Licensed Material means the artistic or literary work, database, or other material to which the Licensor applied this Public License.

g. Licensed Rights means the rights granted to You subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, which are limited to all Copyright and Similar Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material and that the Licensor has authority to license.

h. Licensor means the individual(s) or entity(ies) granting rights under this Public License.

i. NonCommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation. For purposes of this Public License, the exchange of the Licensed Material for other material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights by digital file-sharing or similar means is NonCommercial provided there is no payment of monetary compensation in connection with the exchange.

j. Share means to provide material to the public by any means or process that requires permission under the Licensed Rights, such as reproduction, public display, public performance, distribution, dissemination, communication, or importation, and to make material available to the public including in ways that members of the public may access the material from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.

k. Sui Generis Database Rights means rights other than copyright resulting from Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases, as amended and/or succeeded, as well as other essentially equivalent rights anywhere in the world.

l. You means the individual or entity exercising the Licensed Rights under this Public License. Your has a corresponding meaning.

Section 2 -- Scope.

a. License grant.

1. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, the Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material to:

a. reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part, for NonCommercial purposes only; and

b. produce, reproduce, and Share Adapted Material for NonCommercial purposes only.

2. Exceptions and Limitations. For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.

3. Term. The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a).

4. Media and formats; technical modifications allowed. The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a) (4) never produces Adapted Material.

5. Downstream recipients.

a. Offer from the Licensor -- Licensed Material. Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.

b. No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.

6. No endorsement. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i).

b. Other rights.

1. Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.

2. Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.

3. To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties, including when the Licensed Material is used other than for NonCommercial purposes.

Section 3 -- License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

a. Attribution.

1. If You Share the Licensed Material (including in modified form), You must:

a. retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material:

i. identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);

ii. a copyright notice;

iii. a notice that refers to this Public License;

iv. a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;

v. a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;

b. indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and

c. indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.

2. You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.

3. If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

4. If You Share Adapted Material You produce, the Adapter's License You apply must not prevent recipients of the Adapted Material from complying with this Public License.

Section 4 -- Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

a. for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database for NonCommercial purposes only;

b. if You include all or a substantial portion of the database contents in a database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights, then the database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights (but not its individual contents) is Adapted Material; and

c. You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 supplements and does not replace Your obligations under this Public License where the Licensed Rights include other Copyright and Similar Rights.

Section 5 -- Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

a. UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHER. THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, ACCURACY, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ERRORS, WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR DISCOVERABLE. WHERE DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

b. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS PUBLIC LICENSE OR USE OF THE LICENSED MATERIAL, EVEN IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES. WHERE A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

c. The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.

Section 6 -- Term and Termination.

a. This Public License applies for the term of the Copyright and Similar Rights licensed here. However, if You fail to comply with this Public License, then Your rights under this Public License terminate automatically.

b. Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a), it reinstates:

1. automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or

2. upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6(b) does not affect any right the Licensor may have to seek remedies for Your violations of this Public License.

c. For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensor may also offer the Licensed Material under separate terms or conditions or stop distributing the Licensed Material at any time; however, doing so will not terminate this Public License.

d. Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 -- Other Terms and Conditions.

a. The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.

b. Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 -- Interpretation.

a. For the avoidance of doubt, this Public License does not, and shall not be interpreted to, reduce, limit, restrict, or impose conditions on any use of the Licensed Material that could lawfully be made without permission under this Public License.

b. To the extent possible, if any provision of this Public License is deemed unenforceable, it shall be automatically reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. If the provision cannot be reformed, it shall be severed from this Public License without affecting the enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions.

c. No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.

d. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be interpreted as a limitation upon, or waiver of, any privileges and immunities that apply to the Licensor or You, including from the legal processes of any jurisdiction or authority.


Creative Commons is not a party to its public licenses. Notwithstanding, Creative Commons may elect to apply one of its public licenses to material it publishes and in those instances will be considered the “Licensor.” The text of the Creative Commons public licenses is dedicated to the public domain under the CC0 Public Domain Dedication. Except for the limited purpose of indicating that material is shared under a Creative Commons public license or as otherwise permitted by the Creative Commons policies published at creativecommons.org/policies, Creative Commons does not authorize the use of the trademark "Creative Commons" or any other trademark or logo of Creative Commons without its prior written consent including, without limitation, in connection with any unauthorized modifications to any of its public licenses or any other arrangements, understandings, or agreements concerning use of licensed material. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not form part of the public licenses.

Creative Commons may be contacted at creativecommons.org.