Terms of use

Written in plain English, because terms should be readable. By using Refvera you accept them. If interpretations differ, the Norwegian version prevails.

1. What Refvera is – and is not

Refvera is an aid for source checking: references are looked up in open registries, and the answer documents what was found, what deviates, and what was not found where. Refvera is not an answer key, not a judge, and gives no guarantee that a source is genuine or fake.

2. The most important rule

A Refvera result must never be used on its own as evidence in accusations against individuals – for example claims of cheating in an assignment or misconduct in a report. “Not found in these sources” means exactly that, and nothing more: the registries do not cover everything, and sources can be miswritten without being dishonest. The results are the basis for a conversation and further investigation – the final judgement is always a human responsibility.

3. No guarantee for the registries

Refvera builds on open registries owned and operated by others (CrossRef, OpenAlex, Open Library, Libris, Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, the National Library of Norway, the Norwegian Parliament, Lovdata). The registries can have gaps, errors or downtime, and “confirmed” means confirmed against the registry's records. Check sources that are decisive for a decision manually as well.

4. Availability

Refvera is at an early stage and is provided as is, with no uptime guarantee. We fix errors as fast as we can. A rate limit per user prevents abuse.

5. Free use and licence purchases

Free use is limited to 3 lists per month per user (up to 50 references per list). Licences are valid for 12 months from the purchase date and do not renew automatically: a personal licence is for one user (the licence is tied to your e-mail account and must not be shared); school and organisation licences cover the whole organisation. If you change your mind, we refund in full for 14 days after the purchase – use “Cancel purchase” in the tool while logged in, or write to us. Card payments are handled by Stripe; invoicing is agreed directly. Prices may change, but never within a running licence period.

6. Limitation of liability

Smartbruk is not liable for indirect losses or for decisions made on the basis of results from Refvera. Any liability is limited to what you have paid for the licence in the last 12 months.

7. Privacy and data

Pasted text is never stored. The full privacy policy is on the privacy page. Refvera contains data under NLOD 2.0 from Lovdata.

8. Governing law and contact

Refvera is provided by Lien Educate (Norwegian org. no. 993 268 844 VAT), which also appears as the payee on receipts and statements. These terms are governed by Norwegian law. Questions: post@refvera.com.

Last updated 12 October 2026.