THE HEX 168 CONTEST
OFFICIAL RULES
1) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: No purchase necessary to enter or win. The Hex 168 Contest (the "Contest") is a skill contest in which participants can submit a photograph or video exhibiting the power of hex, defined as the unusual among the mundane, for a chance to win. The promotion begins at 12:00 p.m. PT on October 18, 2005 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on November 4, 2005 (Entry Period).
2) HOW TO ENTER: Access the Hex 168 website online at
http://www.hex168.com. Complete the online entry form as instructed and click to submit. You will then be prompted to submit your entry materials. To submit your entry materials, create a Researcher ID, enter the title of your entry submission, a brief description of your submission (max: 50 words), indicate the category for which you wish to be eligible (0-1 persons, 6 persons, 30 persons), and upload your photo submission (for any category) or video submission (for the 6 person and 30 person categories only) (the entry). After proper submission of your entry materials, you will receive a confirming e-mail at the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry. Click the link provided in the e-mail message to confirm and complete your submission. You must click the link in the e-mail confirmation you received to confirm and complete submission of your entry.
Entry Categories and Limitations: Entries in the 0-1 person category must feature an occurrence of the power of hex with zero persons or an occurrence with one (1) person (original entrant) under the power of the hex. Entries in the Six (6) person category must feature exactly six (6) persons (including the Original Entrant) under the power of the hex. Entries in the Thirty (30) person category must feature exactly thirty (30) persons (including the Original Entrant) under the power of the hex. Your entry submission may contain a total of as many individuals are you like. However, all entry submissions must feature exactly the total number of participants under the power of hex, (including the Original Entrant and Participating Entities) for the category for which it is being submitted and only those individuals under the power of hex will receive a prize if your entry is selected as a winner. Entries which feature either too few or too many participants under the power of hex for the category for which it is submitted will be disqualified.
Video Requirements: Videos must be a minimum of twenty (20) seconds and a maximum of forty (40) seconds in length, and must be in one of the following formats: MPEG, WMW, AVI, or QuickTime. Limit: 8 MB file size.
Photo Requirements: Digital photos must be in .jpg or .tif format and have a maximum file size of 5 MB per photo.
Participating Entities/Release Forms: For the purpose of these Official Rules, a Participating Entity is defined as those persons participating in an entry submission in the Six (6) and Thirty (30) person categories other than the individual who has submitted the entry form online (Original Entrant), as described above. Participating Entities must print and sign the release form available on the Hex 168 Contest website at time of entry as instructed. The fully executed release form(s) must be completed in full and submitted as follows: By U.S. Mail or overnight delivery service: Send completed forms to: Hex 168 Contest Release-Dept. RF, c/o Marden-Kane Inc., 36 Maple Place, Manhasset, NY 11030. By Fax: Fax the completed release forms to (516) 365-5259, Attention: Hex 168 Contest-Dept. RF. By e-mail: Send the forms in electronic format via email to:
hex168@mardenkane.com. The completed and executed Release Form(s), if necessary, must be received by noon on November 7, 2005 regardless of method of submission. If appropriate releases are not received by this time, the entry will be disqualified. Sponsor reserves the right to verify the legitimacy of an entrants signed release form(s). All Participating Entities must be U.S. residents 18 years of age or older and must abide by the terms of these Official Rules for the entry in which he or she is a participant to be considered valid. Participating entities who have not submitted a release form will not qualify for entry or be eligible to receive a prize.
Limit one (1) entry per person per category as an Original Entrant. You may not enter multiple times in one category either as an Original Entrant or as a Participating Entity. Subsequent entries submitted by a single entrant in one category will not be eligible for judging. Releasees (as defined below) assume no responsibility for lost, late, illegible, garbled or misdirected entries, or for any computer, online, telephone, human, or other error or for any technical or other malfunctions that may occur or postage due entries or U.S. mail. Proof of e-mailing, mailing or faxing of entries and or release forms does not constitute proof of delivery. All entries become the property of Microsoft Corporation and will not be returned.
3. WINNER SELECTION / JUDGING CRITERIA
Determining Semi-Finalists: Each eligible entry submitted during the Entry Period will be posted on the Hex 168 website and visitors to the site will have the opportunity to rate each entry on a scale of 1-10 to determine the Semi-Finalists in each category. The rating period to determine Semi-Finalists will be between noon PT on October 18, 2005 and noon PT on November 7, 2005. Voters must follow instructions on web site to rate each entry. You may rate each entry submission only once. Subsequent attempts by a single user to rate the same entry will be disqualified. Users may rate as many different entries in each category as they choose. The ten (10) highest rated entries in the Thirty (30) person category, the sixty (60) highest rated entries in the Six (6) person category and the one-hundred twenty (120) highest rated entries in the 0-1 person category will be deemed the Semi-Finalists.
Determining Winners: All Semi-Finalists as selected above in each category will be screened by a separate panel of qualified judges, who will score each entrants entry submission based on the following judging criteria, each weighed equally (25%):
(1) Originality (2) Best expression of the unusual among the mundane (3) Entertainment value (4) Style/Production Quality
The judges will choose the winners as follows: the four (4) highest scoring entries in the Thirty (30) person category, the thirty (30) highest scoring entries in the Six (6) person category and the sixty (60) highest scoring entries in the 0-1 person category will be deemed the Winners. For the 0-1 person category, the Original Entrant will be deemed the Winner and will receive the Grand Prize. For the Six (6) person category, those under the power of hex, which must include the Original Entrant and five (5) additional Participating Entities designated as being under the power of hex on the release form submitted at time of entry will each receive the Grand Prize. For the Thirty (30) person category, those under the power of hex, which must include the Original Entrant and twenty-nine (29) additional Participating Entities designated as being under the power of hex on the release form submitted at time of entry will each receive the Grand Prize.
In the event of a tie during any stage of the winner selection process, all tied entries will be re-judged by additional successive judges based on the criteria listed above and that judge will break the tie. The judging will be held under the supervision of an Independent Judging Organization. The Judges' decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to this contest.
All prizes will be awarded provided a sufficient number of qualified eligible entries are received. Grand Prize Winners will be notified by U.S. mail, e-mail, telephone and/or overnight delivery service on or about November 9, 2005. Non-selected entrants will not be contacted. Limit (1) prize per person.
4) PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize will be awarded to each participant Under the power of hex featured in the winning entry in each category, for a total of three hundred sixty (360) winners: A Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming console, three Xbox 360 game titles (Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing 3 and Kameo: Elements of Power) , a one (1) year membership to Xbox LIVE, and a three day/two night trip for the winner to an Xbox 360 event. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of Grand Prize: $1,500. Total ARV of all prizes: $540,000. Any applicable tax on the prize is the sole responsibility of the winner. If a winner is unable to participate or accept any portion of the prize package for any reason, the Sponsor shall have no further obligation to the winner other than to supply the stated prize minus the refused, unaccepted portion of the prize package. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if entire prize or a portion of the prize is unavailable. Game titles awarded are at Sponsors sole discretion and are subject to change. No barter, transfer, or assignment of any prize permitted, except by Sponsor at its sole discretion. Trip includes round trip coach air transportation from major airport nearest winners home to location of Xbox Live event, to be determined by the Sponsor at their sole discretion, standard room double occupancy hotel accommodations, transfers to/from airport and hotel and admission to the Xbox 360 event. The Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to provide ground transportation in lieu of air transportation. Trip must be completed on dates specified by the Sponsor. If a winner is unable to participate or accept the travel or any other portion of the prize package for any reason, the Sponsor shall have no further obligation to the winner other than to supply the stated prize minus the refused, unaccepted portion of the prize package. Travel arrangements must be made through agent of Sponsors choosing. Actual value of the trip depends on winners residence or departure city. Specifics of prize package are subject to availability and sponsors sole discretion. Complete terms and conditions of trip will be furnished with prize notification. Other restrictions may apply. Trip winner must have all necessary identification and/or travel documents required for travel within the continental United States. Any and all guarantees and warranties for merchandise prizes are subject to the manufacturers terms and conditions, and the winner agrees to look solely to such manufacturers for any such warranty or guarantee claim.
5) ELIGIBILITY: This Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees of Microsoft Corporation and anyone working directly on Microsoft programs and their respective affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, promotion, advertising and promotional agencies and the immediate family members (parent, spouse, sibling, child) and persons living in the households of each are not eligible to enter.
6) GENERAL CONDITIONS: Entry must be entrants original creation, executed solely by entrant and may not have been published previously or won any other award and the right to submit it must not be restricted. Entry cannot defame or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any persons personal or proprietary rights. Modifying, enhancing or altering a third partys pre-existing work does not qualify as entrants original creation. All entries must be in English. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entries that, in its sole and absolute discretion, includes trademarks not owned by entrant (such as company names); use of individuals last names (including the entrants, except as requested on the entry form); refers to public figures; is deemed offensive, contains profanity, pornography/sexual content, includes content promoting alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, or firearms/weapons, includes hateful content of any kind (including racism, sexism, etc.), content that promotes violence or harm to another living creature; or promotes a political agenda. Any entrant whose work includes likenesses of third parties or contains elements not owned by the entrant (such as, but not limited to depictions of buildings, trademarks or logos) must be able to provide legal releases for such use including Sponsors use of such entry, in a form satisfactory to judges. No mechanically reproduced, illegible, incoherent, unusable, or incomplete entries will be accepted. Releasees are not responsible for typographical errors or any other errors in entries submitted. Entries not complying with all rules are subject to disqualification. By entering, each entrant forfeits to Sponsor all rights to content of his/her entry and the concepts embodied therein. Entrant unconditionally assigns and transfers to Sponsor all rights, title, interest and claim, which it now has or may in the future have to the entries or any element(s) thereafter including, without limitation, the copyright therein. Sponsor shall have right to use, alter, assign or dispose of such entries however it sees fit without approval of entrants. Permission is also granted for Sponsor to publish entry in perpetuity in any medium it may see fit including, but not limited to, website, television, radio and/or printed materials. Entrants shall not receive any compensation or credit for use of entries, other than that disclosed in these rules. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules. The laws of the United States govern this Contest. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Potential winners will be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability Release and where legal, Publicity Release, within one (1) day following the date of issuance of notification. Instructions for return of Affidavit and Publicity Release will be furnished at time of notification. Non-compliance within this time period or return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Microsoft Corporation and its agents to use winners name and likeness for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation unless prohibited by law. By entering, participants release and hold harmless Microsoft Corporation and its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotions agencies, prize suppliers, and all of their employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, Releasees) from any and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Contest, the use of any entry, or the acceptance or use of any prize won.
7) INTERNET: The use of any automated launching or entry software or any other mechanical or electronic means that permits the participant to automatically enter or vote repeatedly (as solely determined by Sponsor) is prohibited. If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Microsoft Corporation which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Microsoft Corporation reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry or any individual who tampers with the entry or voting process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and select winners using all eligible, non-suspect entries and/or votes. Releasees assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. Releasees are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant's or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in this contest or downloading any materials in this Contest. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, MICROSOFT CORPORATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON (S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner based on an e-mail address, the winning entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational, institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.
8) WHO WON: To receive name of the winners by mail after November 30, 2005, please mail a self addressed stamped envelope to: Microsoft Hex Winners, P.O. Box 708, Sayreville, NJ 08871-0708. Requests must be received by December 30, 2005.
9) SPONSOR: The Sponsor of this contest is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington, 98052-6399. The Administrator is Marden-Kane Inc., 36 Maple Place, Manhasset, NY 11030.
