This document is written in plain English. If anything is unclear, contact [email protected].
In short: VipLIMS bundles some terminology packs that we are allowed to distribute free, unmodified and with the attribution their owners require. Other terminologies, such as full SNOMED CT or ICD-O-3, need your own licence before you import them. The live list of every bundled pack, with its version and full notice, is published at /api/public/terminology-notices.
Version 1.0. Effective date: 13 October 2026.
1. Why this page exists
Clinical terminologies are owned by organisations that set licence terms for their use. Some allow free use worldwide with attribution. Others require a licence that depends on your country, your organisation or your use. This page explains how VipLIMS handles both.
2. Bundled terminology packs
2.1 VipLIMS bundles the following packs. A laboratory administrator can enable them from the Terminology library (Terminology in the app menu).
| Pack | Owner | Licence basis |
|---|---|---|
| SNOMED CT Global Patient Set (code list) | SNOMED International | Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 (CC BY-ND 4.0) |
| LOINC | Regenstrief Institute, Inc. | LOINC licence, free of charge with attribution |
| UCUM (Unified Code for Units of Measure) | Regenstrief Institute, Inc. | UCUM licence, free of charge with attribution |
| ICD-11 | World Health Organization | WHO licence for ICD-11 (Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 3.0 IGO) |
| ICD-10-CM | US National Center for Health Statistics | US government publication, free to use |
| HGNC gene symbols | HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee | HGNC terms of use, free with attribution |
2.2 The version of each pack and the exact attribution text required by its owner are shown in the live list (see "Live list" below). If this page and the live list differ, the live list is correct.
2.3 Bundled packs are provided as their owners publish them. We do not modify their content. Where a licence forbids derivative works, as CC BY-ND does, we do not alter the content and you must not redistribute altered versions. The owners provide their content without warranty, and their trademarks remain theirs.
3. Bring your own licence
3.1 Many terminologies and datasets cannot be bundled, because their licences depend on where and how they are used. Examples include:
- full SNOMED CT (international or national editions);
- ICD-O-3 (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology);
- WHO ICD-10;
- OPCS-4 and other national coding systems;
- electronic cancer datasets and templates from bodies such as the CAP, RCPath and ICCR.
3.2 A laboratory administrator can import terminologies from the Terminology library, as CSV files or SNOMED CT RF2 description files. See Importing terminology for the steps.
3.3 Before importing, the administrator must confirm that the laboratory holds a valid licence for that content. The import is stored only within the laboratory's own account and is not shared with other laboratories.
3.4 SNOMED CT
In many countries, including the United Kingdom, SNOMED CT is free to use because the country is a SNOMED International member and pays a national licence fee. In other countries, an affiliate licence may be needed. Check with your national release centre or SNOMED International before importing.
3.5 Your responsibilities
When you import terminology, you are responsible for:
- holding and keeping a valid licence;
- following its terms, including any attribution or restrictions;
- keeping it up to date if your licence or practice requires that;
- removing it if your licence ends.
4. Coding is the laboratory's responsibility
VipLIMS makes it easier to find and apply codes. Choosing the right code remains a professional decision for the laboratory. See our Medical and clinical disclaimer.
5. Contact
If you own rights in a terminology and believe we are using it incorrectly, or you have a question about these notices, email [email protected].
Live list
The current notices for every terminology pack offered on this platform are published by the application at /api/public/terminology-notices.