U.S. and Canadian International Photography Contest 2009 for Kids
Official Rules
OFFICIAL UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN “INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST FOR KIDS” CONTEST RULES 2009
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY AND A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
SPONSOR
Sponsor is National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-4688 (“Sponsor” or “NGS”).
TERM
The United States and Canadian International Photo Contest For Kids begins August 3, 2009, and ends November 2, 2009 (the “Entry Period”). All Entries must be postmarked by November 2, 2009, and received by November 9, 2009. Entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned or acknowledged. Information on how to enter and prizes form part of these official rules (“Official Rules”). By signing the entry from, the parent or legal guardian is agreeing to the terms of these Official Rules on behalf of the minor entrant and him or herself. This is a skill-based contest and chance plays no part in the determination of winners.
WHO MAY ENTER
Contest is open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding residents of Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are between the ages of 6 and 14 on November 2, 2009. Employees of Sponsor and their affiliates and subsidiaries, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such individuals, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win a prize. Entrants must have a parent's or legal guardian's permission to enter. CONTEST IS VOID IN PUERTO RICO AND QUEBEC AND WHERE PROHIBITED. MANY WILL ENTER; FEW WILL WIN.
HOW TO ENTER
The categories for entries are: Animals, Scenery, People, and Humor (each a “Category,” and collectively the “Categories”). Each entrant may submit entries in any Category he/she wishes and may submit entries to different Categories at different times during the Entry Period, but no entrant may submit in total more than one (1) entry per Category. If an entrant exceeds any of these limits, Sponsor may at its absolute discretion either disqualify all the entrant’s entries or select at its absolute discretion entries to go forward for judging and reject the remainder. Each entry must comply with the following requirements (“Entry Requirements”):
● Download and complete an entry form for each photograph submitted. Mail each completed entry form, along with each Photograph (described below) to: International Photo Contest, NG Kids / RB, P.O. Box 97056, Washington, DC 20090-7056. Entry form must be complete for entry to be valid.
● The entrant must be the photographer him or herself. The Photograph must be an original work created by the Contest entrant.By entering the Contest, entrant represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted Photographs are original works created solely by the entrant and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the Photographs.
• Photographs must meet the following technical specifications:
o Color or black and white prints, any size up to 8” x 10”. Name of entrant, category of entry, address (with country) of entrant’s parent or guardian, and phone number of entrant’s parent or guardian should appear on back of print. Disks or negatives are not acceptable.
o Original transparencies and negatives, or in the case of digital images a minimum 5”x7” 300 dpi (9m) jpeg of the winning Photographs must be available to NGS so they can be published. Do not send in transparencies, negatives, or disks to accompany the photographs.
o Photographs taken with digital camera or conventional films are eligible.
o Digitally-altered photographs are not acceptable.
o Mounted or framed photographs are not acceptable.
• Photographs must be taken not more than three (3) years before the date of entry.
Obscene, provocative, or otherwise objectionable content will not be considered, and such determination is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
o The entries in each Category will be judged separately, in accordance with the Judging Criteria, as defined below.
o Limit one entry per person per Category.
CONTEST PRIZES
THE POTENTIAL WINNERS (AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS) ARE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE THE FOLLOWING: (1) AN AFFIDAVIT (OR, IN THE CASE OF CANADIAN RESIDENTS, A DECLARATION) OF ELIGIBILITY AND LIABILITY RELEASE; (2) WARRANTY OF OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE; (3) PUBLICITY RELEASE; AND (4) ANY OTHER AFFIDAVITS, DECLARATIONS AND/OR RELEASES OR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY PRIZE SUPPLIER(S). UNLESS PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE POTENTIAL WINNER (AND PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN) MUST SIGN THESE DOCUMENTS NO LATER THAN 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION IN ORDER FOR SPONSOR TO AWARD THE PRIZE. NONCOMPLIANCE OR RETURN OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION AS UNDELIVERABLE MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND, AT SPONSOR’S DISCRETION, SELECTION OF AN ALTERNATE WINNER.
• Four (4) First Place Winners will be selected, one in each Category. The First Place Prize is a National Geographic Kids Pet Cam, a copy of the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010, and a National Geographic 1,000-piece puzzle. Approximate retail value (“ARV”) of each First Place Prize is $60 USD. ARV accurate as of June 1, 2009, but is subject to change and retailers may sell for less. In addition, the First Place Winner in each Category will automatically be entered into the Worldwide National Geographic Society International Photography Contest for Kids, in which the winners from this Contest and other National Geographic Society local contests being conducted in other countries around the world will compete. For the Official Rules governing the Worldwide National Geographic Society International Photography Contest for Kids see nationalgeographic.com/ipc.
• Four (4) Second Place Winners will be selected, one in each Category. The Second Place Prize is a National Geographic Kids Ant Farm Gel Colony, a copy of the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010, and a National Geographic 1,000-piece puzzle. ARV of each Second Place Prize is $50 USD. ARV accurate as of June 1, 2009, but is subject to change and retailers may sell for less.
• No prize transfer, assignment or substitution by Winners permitted. In the event of unavailability, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prizes in which case a prize of equal or greater monetary value, determined in Sponsor’s reasonable discretion, will be awarded.
• Odds of winning a particular Category will depend on the number of eligible entries received in that Category and the skill of the entrant in satisfying the criteria set out below.
JUDGING
● Contest consists of one (1) round of evaluation. Four (4) First Place Winners and Four (4) Second Place Winners (one in each Category) will be chosen.
● A panel of National Geographic Kids staff with experience in photography will evaluate the entries based on the following criteria (“Judging Criteria”):
1) Creativity 50%
2) Quality of Photograph 50%
Judging will take place on or about November 30, 2009, and parents/legal guardians of the selected entrants will be notified in writing on or about December 7, 2009.
● Decisions of the Sponsor and judges are final and binding.
ENTRANT LICENSES/RELEASES
By entering the Contest, all entrants (and their respective parents and legal guardians) grant a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to Sponsor, its designees, licensees and affiliates (“Authorized Parties”), to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries (along with a name credit) in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to: Display at a potential exhibition of winners; publication of a book featuring select entries in the Contest; publication in National Geographic Kids Magazine or online highlighting entries or winners of the Contest. Entrants consent to the Sponsor doing or omitting to do any act that would otherwise infringe the entrant’s “moral rights” in their entries. Display or publication of any entry on an Authorized Party’s website does not indicate the entrant will be selected as a winner. Authorized Parties will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use.
THIRD PARTY RELEASES
● If the Photograph contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the Photograph, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the Photograph, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the Photograph in the manner set forth in these Official Rules without additional compensation. If any person appearing in any Photograph is under the age of majority in their state/province/territory of residence the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on each release.
● Upon Sponsor’s request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor’s request) a signed release from all persons who appear in the Photograph submitted, and/or from the owner of any material that appears in the Photograph entry, authorizing the Authorized Parties to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the Photograph in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to: display at a potential exhibition of winners; publication of a book featuring select entries in the Contest; and publication in National Geographic Kids Magazine or online highlighting entries or winners of the Contest. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification at any time during the Contest and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the personal release).
● Similarly, upon Sponsor’s request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor’s request) a signed written license from the copyright owner of any sculpture, artwork or other copyrighted material that appears in the photograph entry, authorizing any Authorized Party to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entry in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to display at a potential exhibition of winners; publication of a book featuring select entries in the Contest; and publication in National Geographic Kids Magazine or online highlighting entries or winners of the Contest. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the artist release).
● Finally, upon Sponsor’s request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor’s request) a signed written license from the owner of any private property included in the photograph entry, authorizing any Authorized Party to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entry in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to display at a potential exhibition of winners; publication of a book featuring select entries in the Contest; and publication in National Geographic Kids Magazine or online highlighting entries or winners of the Contest. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the location release).
● For the purposes of these Official Rules, the entrant will be deemed to be in receipt of Sponsor’s request or notification, (a) in the event that Sponsor sends the request by postal mail, five business days after the request was sent by Sponsor, or (b) in the event that Sponsor sends the request by e-mail, on the day that the e-mail was sent by Sponsor. For greater certainty, the entrant will be deemed to be in receipt whether notification or request is sent to entrant him/herself or his/her parent or legal guardian.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
By participating, entrants (and their parents or legal guardians) agree to release, discharge and hold harmless National Geographic Society and its partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this Contest or any Contest-related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded hereunder.
CONDITIONS
This Contest is subject to federal, state, provincial, territorial and local laws and regulations. Certain restrictions may apply. Sponsor is not responsible for late, lost, stolen, damaged, mutilated, incomplete, illegible, misdirected, or postage-due mail. Entries void if the Sponsor determines the entry to not be an original, or if the entries are illegible, incomplete, damaged, irregular, altered, counterfeit, produced in error or obtained through fraud or theft.
Entrants also agree (a) to be bound by these Official Rules; (b) that the decisions of the judges are final on all matters relating to the Contest; and (c) if he/she wins that Sponsor may use the winning Photograph and each winner’s name, photograph, likeness, and/or voice in any publicity or advertising relating to the Contest or future promotions without compensation or approval (except in Tennessee and where prohibited by law). All taxes, fees and surcharges on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize winners. In the event that the selected winner(s) of any prize are/is ineligible or refuses the prize, the prize will be forfeited and Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may choose whether to award the prize to another winner.
WINNERS' LIST
First and Second Place winners' names (First and last name, and city of residence) will be available online at kids.nationalgeographic.com/contests/Photos after December 30, 2009, or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: International Photography Contest for Kids Winners: National Geographic Kids / RB, 1145 17th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036. (Residents of Vermont and Canada need not include return postage.)
NOTICE TO INDIVIDUALS: REMOVAL FROM MAILING LIST: Any individual (or other duly authorized person) may elect to exclude the name and address of that individual from all lists used by Sponsor to mail skill contests or sweepstakes. To elect to have an individual’s name excluded from all such lists, submit a removal request in writing to: International Photography Contest for Kids, National Geographic Kids / RB, 1145 17th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036. This notification system may be used to prohibit mailing of all skill contests or sweepstakes by Sponsor to such individual.
SHORT FORM RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. MANY WILL ENTER; FEW WILL WIN.
To obtain Official Rules, go to kids.nationalgeographic.com/contests/Photos. Open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) ages 6 to 14 on November 2, 2009. Employees of Sponsor National Geographic Society and related parties are ineligible. Entries must be postmarked by November 2, 2009, and received by November 9, 2009. Limit one entry per person per Category. Categories are Scenery, People, Animals, and Humor. To enter, take a photograph of any of the four categories (the “Photograph”). Entry must comply with Entry Requirements described in Official Rules. Four (4) First Prize Winners (one per Category) will win a National Geographic Kids Pet Cam, a copy of the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010, and a National Geographic 1,000-piece puzzle. (ARV: $60 USD each) and be automatically entered into the Worldwide National Geographic Society International Photography Contest for Kids, in which the winners from this Contest and other National Geographic Society local contests being conducted in other countries around the world will compete. For the Official Rules governing the Worldwide National Geographic Society International Photography Contest for Kids see nationalgeographic.com/ipc. Four (4) Second Prize Winners will win a National Geographic Kids Ant Farm Gel Colony, a copy of the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010, and a National Geographic 1,000-piece puzzle. (ARV: $50 USD each). CONTEST IS VOID IN PUERTO RICO, QUEBEC AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received per Category and skill of entrant.
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