PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
The contest is sponsored by TechWeb, a division of United Business Media LLC, 600 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 (“UBM” or “Sponsor”). The contest is governed by these Official Rules, as well as by the laws of the State of New York and applicable United States federal law, without regard to any conflicts of laws principles. The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. By entering the contest, each entrant agrees to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to the contest. The contest is being run in connection with Sponsor’s web site located at the Cloud Connect website and is therefore also governed by Sponsor’s Terms of Service and Privacy Statement, as well as other policies pertaining to the Web Site. These Official Rules will govern any conflict between any of the Web Site policies and these Official Rules. The Web Site policies may be viewed on the Web Site. This contest is geared to solicit innovative applications that are in development or about to launch.
HOW TO ENTER:
Stage 1:
The Contest begins at 12:01 a.m. EDT on January 11, 2010 and ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 17, 2010. All entries to the Twitter site for Stage 1 must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on January 25, 2010.. Contest entrants will submit their Twitter pitch to @cloud_connect with the Twitter hash tag #cc_lp on Twitter . Entries must pitch the cloud application in 140 characters or less.
The first round will be judged by the Cloud Connect Jury based upon the following criteria: Innovation; functionality; originality; look and feel; ingenuity.
Stage 2:
The 8 semi- finalists will be invited to create a one (1) minute film which will be due by Genruary 8, 2010. Submissions for Stage 2 will be uploaded to YouTube (www.Youtube.com). Only the eight (8) semi- finalistswill be eligible to participate in Stage 2. These entrants will be evaluated and judged by votes submitted by the Cloud Connect community on the official Cloud Connect Launch Pad website. The Cloud Connect community will vote to select four (4) finalists.
Stage 3:
The Cloud Connect community will vote to select 4 Launch Pad finalists (“Finalists”) via live text voting through MOZES at the conclusion of the 4 presentations. The four (4) finalists will be announced on February 18, 2010 and will be asked to give a five (5) minute demonstration of their product or application live on the keynote stage at the Cloud Connect event, held March 15 - 18, 2010 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. The four finalists will be responsible for any and all costs of travel, lodging, etc. in order to attend the Cloud Connect event. Finalists must be present at the event in order to qualify for the final round of judging. If a Finalist cannot be present at the live event, an alternate Finalist will be selected to take their place, in the Cloud Connect staff’s sole discretion. The four finalists will be given access to the show floor, gratis, for their presentations, in addition to space on the show floor (Exhibit pods), as described below.
To enter, visit the Cloud Connect Launch Pad websiteand follow the instructions to Tweet your entry directly to @cloud_connect with the hash tag #cc_lp. Each Twitter entry is limited to 140 characters.
Entrants who have been selected to participate in Stage 2 will submit films which must meet the following “Film Requirements”. Any Film that, in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion, violates any of the following criteria will be disqualified:
- Films must be no shorter than 27 seconds and no greater than 3 minutes in length.
- All videos must not exceed 100MB and must be submitted in one of the following video formats: AVI, MOV, WMV, MP4, MPEG, FLV, 3GP, and 3G2.
· Films must be in English.
· Films must NOT include third parties/people, who have not expressly authorized entrant to display their image, likeness or voice in the Film or otherwise use such image, likeness or voice in accordance with these Official Rules. Third Parties include but are not limited to celebrities, friends and minors who have not obtained parental consent prior to such participation. Entrants should be able to provide on request all appropriate clearances, permissions and releases for the Films, including releases from all persons appearing in the Film and location releases for all recognizable locations (in the event an entrant cannot provide all required releases, Sponsor reserve the right, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, to disqualify the applicable Film, or seek to secure the releases and clearances for Sponsor’s benefit.
· Films must NOT contain material which is (or promoting activities which are) sexually explicit, obscene, pornographic, violent, self-mutilating (e.g., relating to murder, the sales of weapons, cruelty, abuse, etc.), discriminatory (based on race, sex, religion, natural origin, physical disability, sexual orientation or age), illegal (e.g. underage drinking, substance abuse, computer hacking, etc.), offensive, threatening, profane, or harassing; or material that contains any derogatory references to any Contest Entities;
· Films must not contain the last name, phone number(s), address, or email address of any person, including the entrant;
· Films must not contain or otherwise make available any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, “commercial pitch,” promotional materials, junk mail, spam, pyramid schemes, or any other form of solicitation;
· Films must not contain or transmit any materials that contain software viruses or other computer code, files or programs designed to impair, limit, interfere with or cause harm to any communications network operated by any of the Contest Entities or the computers of any individual or entity participating in or otherwise associated with the Contest;
· Films must be entirely original to the entrant and must NOT include mention or performance of any copyrighted media production including but not limited to music, films, books, television programming, etc., or identifying descriptions of any media property;
· Films must NOT have been previously submitted to another contest, broadcast on a media network or submitted to any entertainment entity that would conflict with this Contest, as determined in the Contest Entities’ sole discretion;
· Films must NOT include third party trademarks, logos, insignia, location signage, photographs, artwork, or sculpture, except for those belonging to Sponsor; and
· Films must comply with the Cloud Connect Launch Pad Web Site’s Terms of Use.
Eligible entrants may submit only one (1) entry per person. No other form of participation is valid. Any attempt by any participant to submit more than one (1) entry by using multiple/different e-mail addresses, identities or any other methods will void that participant’s entries and that participant will be disqualified. Entries must be received and recorded by the Website’s computer by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 9, 2009 by 11:59 p.m. EDT. Website’s computer is the official timekeeping device for this Contest. No automated entry devices and/or programs permitted. Entries generated by a script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified. Entrants must provide all information requested to be eligible to win. Incomplete, unreadable, or unintelligible entries will be disqualified. Entries will not be returned or acknowledged by the Sponsor.
NOTIFICATION:
At the conclusion of the three preliminary selection rounds (the “Entry Phase”), four (4) finalists (the “Launch Pad Finalists” or “Finalists”) will be selected to present their entries live on the Cloud Connect keynote stage on March 17, 2010. The Finalists will be selected based on the following judging criteria: Innovation; functionality; originality; look and feel; ingenuity. The judging of entries will be conducted by the live event audience at the conclusion of the 4 demonstrations, under the supervision of Sponsor whose decisions are final and binding in all respects relating to winner selection. In the event of a tie, the tied entrants will be re-judged by an additional judge from theCloud Connect Jury who will serve as a tie-breaker using the same criteria as outlined herein. The winner, as determined by the judging criteria indicated above, will be notified live, in person, during the event on or about March 17, 2010.
Winner(s) will be required to respond to the prize notification within the time specified in the notification and may be required to: (1) provide his or her full mailing address for the purpose of receiving the prize(s), which address must be within the 50 United States (excluding Puerto Rico) or Canada (excluding Quebec); (2) sign and return a release of liability, declaration of eligibility, and, where lawful, a publicity release, upon Sponsor’s request; (3) verify his or her social security number or other taxpayer identification number; and (4) take possession of the prize(s) in the manner specified by Sponsor. In addition, selected Canadian entrants must first correctly answer a time-limited mathematical skill testing question administered by telephone in order to claim a prize. If the above requirements are not met, the prize(s) may be awarded to a replacement winner or winners drawn at random from the pool of remaining eligible entries. The replacement winner(s) will need to satisfy all of the requirements of these Official Rules. This process will be repeated until the prize(s) are awarded in full.
GRANT OF RIGHTS:
Each Contest entrant (an “Entrant”) hereby irrevocably grants, transfers, sells, assigns and conveys to the Sponsor, their successors and assigns, all present and future right, title and interest of every kind and nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all copyrights, and all rights incidental, subsidiary, ancillary or allied thereto (including, without limitation, all derivative rights) in and to the Film for exploitation throughout the universe, in perpetuity, by means of any and all media and devices whether now known or hereafter devised. Entrants may be required to provide the original Film to Sponsor upon request. Sponsor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to edit, composite, morph, scan, duplicate, or alter the Films for any purpose which Sponsor deem necessary or desirable, and each entrant irrevocably waives any and all so-called moral rights they may have therein. Each entrant hereby acknowledges that such entrant does not reserve any rights in or to the Film.
PRIZE(S):
All four finalists will each receive one (1) Exhibitor pod, with a 3’ table and signage of 8.5”x11”, in order to promote their product pitch at the Cloud Connect live event to be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center
Approximate retail value of the Exhibitor pod: $1750.00 (One thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars.) Total approximate retail value of the 4 Exhibitor pods: $7000 (Seven thousand dollars).
If a finalist has already committed and contracted with TechWeb to a exhibit or sponsorship at the event, they will receive a complimentary free-standing sign at the event. Approximate retail value of the free standing sign: $500.00 (Five hundred dollars.)
One (1) Finalist winner will win:
Listing of product pitch and name of winner on the Cloud Connect website and given special mention in PlugIntoTheCloud.com. Approximate retail value of the Finalist’s prize: $100.00
Total maximum value of all prizes: $7100.00 US (Seven thousand one hundred dollars).
In the event of unavailability of a stated prize, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute items of equal or greater value. Prizes are not transferable, exchangeable, or redeemable for cash. Reporting and payment of any federal, state, provincial, local, VAT, or other taxes, fees, customs, duties, insurance, or other amounts owed in connection with any prize are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). Winner(s) will be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility, liability release and grant permission to use his/her name and likeness for advertising and promotion (without further compensation) within 21 days of notification or alternate winner(s) will be selected. (Tennessee residents need not complete and return a publicity release.)
EACH PRIZE IS GIVEN AWAY BY SPONSOR “AS-IS.” SPONSOR DOES NOT MAKE, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS, ANY WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, REGARDING ANY PRIZE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED OR STATUTORY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
ELIGIBILITY:
The contest is open to any natural person who is a legal resident of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia (excluding Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec), who is 18 years or older at the time of entry, and who has access to the Internet on or before September 4, 2009. Officers, directors, and employees of Sponsor and/or its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, or agents (including but not limited to advertising, promotion and production agencies) and members of their immediate families (including spouse, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, step-children, step-parents and in-laws) or those with whom they are domiciled are not eligible.
Eligible entrants may submit only one (1) entry per person. No other form of participation is valid. Any attempt by any participant to obtain more than one (1) entry by using multiple/different e-mail addresses, identities or any other methods will void that participant’s entries and that participant will be disqualified. Late, incomplete, computer-generated script, or other automated entries are not eligible and are void. In addition, entries that have been tampered with or altered are not eligible and are void. Entries made on the Internet will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry. In the event of a dispute, a potential winner may be required to provide proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with the potentially winning entry. It is the sole responsibility of each entrant to notify Sponsor in the event of a change in e-mail address or other contact information. Sponsor is not responsible for network, modem, or other equipment failures or for incomplete, garbled, or delayed entries, however caused.
DISQUALIFICATION:
Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entrant that Sponsor determines: (1) has tampered with the entry process or the operation of the contest or the Web Site; (2) has acted in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or with the intent to annoy or harass Sponsor or any other person or entity; (3) has not satisfied all of the requirements for entry in the contest; or (4) to be otherwise ineligible under, or otherwise in violation of, these Official Rules. Any attempt by an entrant to commit any of the above acts of misconduct may be a violation of civil or criminal law and Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from such entrant to the fullest extent permitted by law.
LIABILITY/TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
By entering, each entrant releases and holds harmless Sponsor, any manufacturer or supplier of any prize, any other persons or entities involved in the contest, each of its and their respective parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and each of its and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents, from any responsibility or liability whatsoever arising out of or resulting from: (1) entry or participation in the contest; (2) the acceptance, possession, or use of any prize; (3) any violation by such entrant of these Official Rules or applicable laws; (4) any incorrect or inaccurate entry of information including, but not limited to as a result of technical malfunctions, human error, lost/delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any telephone network, computer equipment, software or any combination thereof; (5) entry materials that have been tampered with, or entries that are illegible, late, lost, damaged, postage due or misdirected; (6) any injury or damage to participants or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participation or downloading any material in connection with the contest; and (7) any conditions arising from events beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control.
WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, NEITHER SPONSOR NOR ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED PARTIES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE CONTEST, HOWSOEVER CAUSED, WHETHER ARISING IN STATUTE, TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH PARTY WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND ALL SUCH DAMAGES ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED AND EXCLUDED.
PUBLICITY:
By entering, each entrant grants to Sponsor the right to use and publish such entrant’s name, state of residence, and any other information in any winning entry both online and in print, in connection with the contest, without additional compensation, except to the extent prohibited by law. In addition, by entering, each entrant consents to the use of their names and likeness for advertising and/or promotional and/or marketing purposes without additional compensation. (A Tennessee resident consents to the use of his name and likeness only if such Tennessee resident expressly consents to such use.) Sponsor reserves the right to use any information provided by entrants in connection with the contest in any manner permitted by these Official Rules or the Cloud Connect Launch Pad Web Site policies.
TERMINATION:
Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the contest at any time for any reason, including but not limited to any reason that affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the contest. Such reasons included but are not limited to fraud, tampering, unauthorized access, infections by computer virus, bugs, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor. Should the contest ever be terminated prior to awarding of the prize(s), Sponsor will announce an alternate means of awarding the prize(s) on the Web Site.
NO ENDORSEMENT:
Nothing contained in these Official Rules or in any of the contest materials should be construed as an endorsement by Sponsor of any prize manufacturers or suppliers or other third party, product, or service.
WINNERS LIST:
For the name of the prize winner(s), available after March 17, 2010, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
TechWeb, a division of United Business Media LLC
“Cloud Connect Launch Pad” Contest
600 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Attention: Paige Finkelman
Requests must be received by February 5, 2010. Questions regarding the contest may be directed to Paige Finkelman. Sponsor’s telephone number is (516) 562-5000.