General Terms and Conditions
Berne, November 2023
Gurtenfestival AG: General Terms and Conditions of Business
I. General INFORMATION
1. Gurtenfestival AG is hereinafter referred to as the “organizer”. The following General Terms and Conditions (hereinafter referred to as “GTC”) apply to festival visitors and other contractual partners of the organizer.
2. By purchasing a festival ticket, the purchaser or holder (hereinafter referred to as “ticket purchaser” or “ticket holder”) accepts the organizer’s general terms and conditions.
3. The opening hours communicated for the respective category apply to festival visitors. The organizer reserves the right to change the opening hours without prior notice. The organizer assumes no liability for delays in admission.
II. Tickets
4. The organizer has its own ticket sales organization. The purchase of a festival ticket through the organizer’s ticket sales organization creates a contractual relationship exclusively between the ticket purchaser or ticket holder and the organizer. The website and the ticket system are protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. All rights thereto, including ownership and/or rights of use, are held by the organizer and/or its suppliers/licensors.
a. Ordering the ticket; use of the online ticket shop; personal data
5. Ticket purchasers make their selection via the website (ticket store), which is displayed in the shopping cart. By confirming the order, ticket purchasers submit their binding offer to purchase the selected festival tickets.
6. Ticket purchasers are obliged to provide all information required during the ordering process completely and correctly. It is the sole responsibility of ticket purchasers to place orders for festival tickets in good time before the date of the event via the ticket store (hereinafter “online order”).
7. For online ordering, the ticket purchaser must identify himself/herself in the ticket store with his/her e-mail address and password (hereinafter “access data”; the corresponding user account: “online account”). If the ticket purchaser does not yet have an online account, he/she will be asked to register in the webshop with the required details when placing the first online order. The access data provided to the ticket purchaser is intended for personal use by the ticket purchaser and must be treated confidentially. All online orders placed via the online account are attributed to the ticket purchaser as the online account holder and are binding for him/her.
b. Delivery of the ticket; Print@home
10. The ticket purchaser receives only one access authorization for each festival ticket purchased. Any duplication, copying, modification or imitation of the print@home festival ticket and any electronic distribution of the corresponding PDF file is expressly prohibited. However, in the event of loss or damage to the print@home ticket, ticket purchasers may reprint the print@home festival ticket, whereby they are aware of the possibility of refusal of access to the event in the event of the circumstances set out in Section 11. The damaged print@home festival ticket must be destroyed immediately. Ticket purchasers are aware that it is not possible to block the print@home ticket. In this case, the regulation according to Clause 11 applies.
c. Payment
12. In case of online orders, payment shall be made either by charging the credit card (MasterCard, Visa) specified during the ordering process, by Postfinance payment method (Postfinance Card, Postfinance e-finance) or via TWINT. It is at the discretion of the organizer to decide which payment methods are permitted and whether/when festival tickets that have not been paid for on time will be released for sale again.
d. Prohibition of resale
13. The purchase of tickets for the purpose of resale (trading) is prohibited. Tickets that have not been purchased for resale may be sold at the usual market price. The organizer will carry out appropriate checks and may block tickets purchased for resale purposes and declare them invalid. Criminal proceedings remain reserved.
e. Wristband
14.The festival ticket will be checked at the official cash desks and at the wristband exchange points of the organizer (barcode or QR code) and exchanged for a wristband. The wristband, which must be worn securely fastened to the right wrist, entitles the holder to enter the cordoned-off festival area (during the period stated on the ticket). Damaged wristbands or wristbands that are not worn securely around the wrist do not entitle the holder to use the above-mentioned service. The organizer’s security service will carry out security and admission checks at all entrances, along the grounds and on the grounds for the entire duration of the event. The instructions of the security service must be followed at all times. Lost or damaged control wristbands will not be replaced.
III. Measures relating to the Coronavirus
16. The ticket purchaser acknowledges that the organizer must comply with the official requirements in connection with the measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic and that these official requirements may be adjusted between the time of ticket purchase and the holding of the event.
18. Information on the applicable admission rules will be published by the organizer on the website (www.gurtenfestival.ch/en/info) and updated on an ongoing basis. It is the responsibility of the ticket purchaser to inform themselves about the applicable admission rules at the time of the event.
19. The ticket purchaser acknowledges that these admission rules can be adjusted by the organizer at any time even after the purchase of his*her festival ticket and agrees that in the event of non-compliance with the admission rules, he*she has neither a right to admission to the festival grounds nor a right to a refund of the purchase price paid for the festival ticket.
IV. Cancellation, Postponement, Interruption or TERMINATION of the Festival; Refund
V. Concerts and Program
22. The organizer reserves the right to change the program without prior notice. No claims for damages can be made for cancellations by artists, changes to the schedule, performance times of artists, stage changes, etc. and the organizer rejects any liability.
24. The festival will take place in all weathers, subject to weather conditions that make it impossible to hold the festival (see also sections 20 and 21).
25. The arrival and return journey to the festival are the responsibility of the festival visitors. The organizer excludes any liability. Any inclusions in the purchased ticket for the use of public transport or the Gurtenbahn will be communicated in good time on the homepage and are part of these GTC.
VI. Payment Methods
26. The festival is cashless. The cashless card is the only possible method of payment at the festival. Other payment methods (cash, debit cards, credit cards, etc.) are not accepted.
27. The cashless card will be provided to festival visitors free of charge by the organizer. Festival visitors will receive the cashless card on site as part of the wristband exchange. Detailed information on exchanging wristbands: www.gurtenfestival.ch. Festival-goers can use the credit loaded or stored on the Cashless card to pay for goods or services at the festival.
28. In order to use the cashless card for the purchase of goods or services at the Gurtenfestival, festival visitors must load credit (in CHF) onto the cashless card. Loading is free of charge and the number of loading processes is unlimited. The Cashless card can be topped up as follows:
- The Cashless Card can only be loaded online. After opening a free online account on the website www.cashless.gurtenfestival.ch (“Load card”), the desired balance can be loaded using a credit card (Visa, Mastercard), debit card (Postcard) or TWINT. Online top-up is possible at any time from July 17, 2024 until July 21, 2024 05:00.
- A maximum amount of CHF 1000.00 can be loaded onto the cashless card. The cashless card can be reloaded to this maximum amount at any time.
- In the festival area there are generally no cash points available where the cashless card can be loaded with cash, debit cards, credit cards, etc. In the event of problems or failures of the cashless system, the organizer may provide cash points at short notice.29. Die Cashless Karte ist gültig für die Dauer des jeweiligen Gurtenfestivals (Mittwoch 17. Juli 2024 bis Samstag 20. Juli 2024).
29. The cashless card is valid for the duration of the respective Gurtenfestival (Wednesday 17 July 2024 to Saturday 20 July 2024).
30. The cashless card is used throughout the site by the acceptance points (food stalls, bars, market stalls, etc.) for cashless payment of goods or services. The price of the goods or services purchased is debited from the Cashless Card balance. By purchasing goods or services using the cashless card, festival visitors enter into a separate, independent contractual relationship with the relevant point of sale. The Gurtenfestival assumes no liability for the proper fulfillment of the contract by the acceptance points or for their services. Festival visitors themselves are responsible for the safe storage of the cashless card and protection against unauthorized theft. The authorization of the cashless card provided will not be checked by the acceptance points or any cash points. The organizer is not liable for damages incurred by festival visitors as a result of misuse of the cashless card. In the event of criminal offences, the organizer or the injured party may file a criminal complaint. The assertion of claims under civil law remains expressly reserved.
31. In the event of loss, suspected misuse or damage to the Cashless card, festival visitors are requested to report immediately to the Cashless troubleshooting team outside the festival grounds at the main entrance. In the event of loss, suspected misuse or damage, registered Cashless cards will be replaced by a new Cashless card upon presentation of an official identification document, provided that the identification document matches the details in the online account. The credit balance available at the time of the loss report will be loaded onto this new cashless card. Existing credit on an unregistered Cashless Card cannot be replaced in the event of loss or suspected misuse.
32. The Organizer accepts no liability whatsoever for the accuracy and completeness of information and details that can be obtained at the Cashless Troubleshooting, at an acceptance point, in the online account or in any other way. In particular, information on the current balance and transactions carried out is provisional and non-binding.
33. After the festival, any remaining credit will be automatically credited back to the last means of payment used. It is not possible to refund credit balances on site during the festival. In some cases, the remaining credit cannot be refunded automatically. In this case, refunds will be made in the same way as for non-registered festival visitors. Non-registered festival visitors can reclaim their credit after the festival by entering their personal details and account details in the online refund form at www.cashless.gurtenfestival.ch. Payouts are made weekly and usually within 10 working days. The online refund form will be available to festival visitors until October 31, 2024. After this date, refunds will no longer be possible. Expenses for refunds to foreign accounts can be charged 100% to the visitor/recipient. Cashless credit given away cannot be refunded and is only valid for the respective year.
34. The organiser is not responsible for disputes between festival visitors and a ticket office. Complaints in connection with the cashless ticket should be sent by email to cashless@gurtenfestival.ch. During the festival, you can contact the Cashless troubleshooting centre (in front of the main entrance). Complaints concerning the credit balance on the Cashless card must be sent by e-mail to cashless@gurtenfestival.ch by 27 July 2024 at the latest. Complaints received after this date will not be considered and any resulting claims for compensation can no longer be asserted against the organizer.
35. The organiser is subject to Swiss data protection legislation. Festival visitors acknowledge that the provision and operation of the cashless system is provided by a third-party provider (WEEZEVENT SWITZERLAND Sàrl; “cashless provider”) and agree that the organiser and the cashless provider may obtain knowledge of their data in connection with the cashless service. All data processing is carried out exclusively for the purpose of operating the cashless system and repaying the remaining amount to festival visitors. Data will only be passed on for the purpose of correctly processing payments authorised by festival visitors. Data will only be passed on to authorities within the framework of mandatory national legislation. Festival visitors agree that the organiser has access to their data and transactions for the purpose of statistical analysis. The Organiser is entitled to engage third parties in Switzerland and abroad for the provision of the cashless service and to outsource individual related services to third parties in Switzerland and abroad. In accordance with the Data Protection Act (DSG), all personal data from the previous year will be deleted by mid-May of the following year at the latest.
VII. Prohibited Objects; Recordings
36. It is generally prohibited to bring glassware, aluminium, tin and spray cans, bengal flares, pyrotechnic objects and weapons of all kinds etc. A final list of the prohibited objects is available on the homepage as well as at the entrance, and is subject to these GTC. Non-compliance will result in expulsion from the festival grounds. The Organiser expressly reserves the right to take further legal steps.
Small perfume bottles and glass children’s bottles as well as aluminium tubes (mayonnaise, mustard, etc.) are permitted. The Organiser’s security service will carry out security and admission checks, including searching bags, at all official entrances and along the festival grounds for the entire duration of the event. The instructions of the security service must be followed.
37. Drones and photo, film, digital and video cameras with interchangeable lenses, audio recording devices or players (with speakers), selfie sticks/GoPro mounts/telescopic poles/tripods longer than 25 cm as well as musical instruments and megaphones are not permitted on the festival grounds or in the sleeping z The security service is instructed to carry out checks. Small pocket cameras and digital cameras as well as smartphones are permitted.
38. Audio and video recordings of the bands performing at the festival are not permitted. Photography with mobile phones for private use is generally allowed. Filming and photography with professional cameras requires specific.
39. The security service engaged by the Organiser has the right to deny persons entry to the closed-off festival grounds for good cause. Non-compliance with these contractual conditions may constitute a good cause.
40. The Organiser is not liable for lost or stolen items. Lost property will be taken to the lost property office of the municipality of Köniz after the event.
VIII. Photo and Video Recordings by the Organiser and Third Parties
41. During the festival, the Organiser, media representatives and partners will take and publish photographs and film footage (in print and online media, on TV, etc.). By acquiring a festival ticket, festival visitors agree that they may be depicted in these photos and videos and that these photos and videos may be used for the above-mentioned purposes without compensation.
IX. Liability
42. To the extent permitted by law, any liability of the Organiser for its own conduct and for the conduct of its auxiliary persons is excluded. In particular, the Organiser and its auxiliary persons are not liable for bodily injuries or financial losses, caused to festival visitors by third parties (e.g. operators of food or market stalls, etc.).
43. The Organiser and its suppliers endeavour to offer the customers the smoothest and most professional service possible in accordance with the state of the art. To this end, the Organiser uses proven technology as well as proven experts and suppliers, while applying the necessary care. Nevertheless, the Organiser cannot guarantee error-free or uninterrupted provision of the services or exclude unlawful interventions in the IT system or misuse by unauthorised persons and excludes any liability for any resulting damage. Liability for services provided by third parties is excluded to the extent legally permissible.
X. Final Provisions
44. These GTC of the Organiser are an integral part of the contract concluded upon the acquisition of a festival ticket. The Organiser reserves the right to amend these GTC at any time.
The amendments are deemed to be accepted unless actively objected to within 30 days of their publication. The amendments require the written form, appropriate publication and reasonable notice.
45. These GTC shall be governed exclusively by Swiss law, excluding its conflict of law rules and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. The exclusive place of jurisdiction and performance is Berne.