North America Software Design Invitational Rules

IMAGINE CUP 2008
NORTH AMERICA SOFTWARE DESIGN INVITATIONAL
OFFICIAL RULES

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:
These are the Official Rules that govern how the Imagine Cup 2008 North America Software Design Invitational contest promotion will operate. This promotion will be simply referred to as the “Contest” throughout the rest of these rules.
In these rules, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Microsoft Corporation, the sponsor of the Contest. “You,” “yourself” refers to an eligible Contest entrant.

1. CONTEST DESCRIPTION: This is a skill-based Contest and chance plays no part in the determination of the winners. The Contest consists of three (3) rounds of competition (Round 1 – Qualifying, Round 2 - North America Semi-Finals and Round 3 - North America Finals) and the object of this Contest is to design and develop an original and innovative software application that addresses the Contest theme “Imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment” (the “Contest Theme”). For purposes of this Contest, the innovative software solution (the “solution”) and required supporting materials that describe, depict or illustrate the solution (the “supporting materials”) that you submit in this Contest will be collectively referred to as an “entry”. On or around the close of the Round 1 of this Contest, all Teams that have submitted the required Round 1 entry materials will advance to Round 2 of this Contest. At the close of Round 2 of this Contest ten (10) Teams will be selected to advance to Round 3 of this Contest. At the close of Round 3 of this Contest, one (1) Team will be selected to advance to compete in the Imagine Cup 2008 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final in Paris, France (“WW Final”). All decisions will be made by the Contest Judges in accordance with the Judging Criteria set forth herein.
At time of entry, you can also designate an officially recognized student organization at your educational institution to receive a $500 donation in the event your Team advances to the North America Finals.

2. WHAT ARE THE ENTRY DEADLINES AND OTHER IMPORTANT DATES?

Round 1 – Qualifying

The Entry Period for Round 1 of this Contest starts at 12:01 AM Pacific Time (PT) on October 20, 2007, and ends at 11:59 PM PT on January 25, 2008 (“Round 1 Entry Period”). On or around the close of the Round 1 Entry Period, Sponsor will review all entry materials received and the Teams that have submitted all required Round 1 entry materials will be invited to compete in Round 2 of this Contest.

Round 2 – North America Semi-Finals

Round 2 of this Contest starts at 12:01 AM PT on January 30, 2008, and ends at 11:59 PM PT on February 20, 2008 (“Round 2 Entry Period”). On or around the close of Round 2 of this Contest, the Contest Judges will review all eligible entries received and select ten (10) Teams to advance to Round 3. Finalists will be announced on or around February 25, 2008.

Round 3 – North America Finals

Round 3 of this Contest will take place in April, 2008 in Los Angeles, California (exact startand end dates to be announced). On around the close of Round 3 of this Contest, the Contest Judges will review all eligible entries received and select one (1) Team to advance to the WW Finals.

Imagine Cup 2008 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final

Imagine Cup 2008 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final will take place July 2008 in Paris, France (exact start and end dates to be announced).

3. CAN YOU ENTER?

You are eligible to enter this Contest if you meet the following requirements:

You are at least eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of entry; and
You are a legal resident of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) or Canada (except for the Province of Quebec); and
You are actively enrolled as a student (including as a graduate or doctoral student) at an accredited 2 year, 4 year, or advanced degree granting educational institution located in the 50 United States (including the District of Columbia) or Canada (except for the Province of Quebec); and
You are NOT a previous winner of the Imagine Cup Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final; and
You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Contest; and
You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Contest.

If you are a Microsoft campus representative, such as a Microsoft Student Partner (see http://student-partners.com), and you meet the eligibility criteria described above, you may enter this Contest, but you are prohibited from using Microsoft property or resources, including without limitation, Microsoft networks, hardware tools and technology resources and/or the counsel of Microsoft employees in connection with the creation of your entry.

This Contest is void identified the Province of Quebec and wherever else prohibited by law.

4. CHANGES IN ELIGIBILITY STATUS

If, at any time during the Contest you experience a change in eligibility status due to special circumstances such as acceptance of an internship, or offer of employment from Microsoft Corporation, a Microsoft subsidiary, or anyone else involved in the execution and administration of this Contest, you must notify the Contest Judges immediately and explain the circumstances. If you fail to notify the Contest Judges of a change in eligibility status, you and your Team may be disqualified from this Contest.

5. WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ELIGIBLE ENTRY?

Round 1 – Qualifying

During Round 1, your Team must create and submit the supporting materials described below:

Required Supporting Materials

30 Second Elevator Pitch
Scenario Document
Design Requirements Document
Development Schedule

Round 2 – North America Semi-Finals

During Round 2, your Team must create and submit the materials described below:

Required Materials

Full product documentation
Working prototype, full functionality is not required
Current development schedule
Business Plan, executive summary style which includes potential impact, problem definition, and future features
3-5 minute video that: (A) introduces each member of the Team; and (B) describes your application by providing: (i) background and context; (ii) an explanation of why the problem that your application is designed to address is interesting; (iii) a description of how the application works; and (3) a thorough demonstration of the application.

Round 3– North America Finals

During Round 3, your Team must create and submit: (1) the supporting materials described below; and (2) an oral presentation, approximately forty (40) minutes in length that describes your application and how it addresses the Contest Theme as well as its development architecture, purpose(s) and benefit(s).

Required Supporting Materials

Application that is 80% complete
Updated development schedule
Updated and complete Business Plan
Updated and complete oral Presentation

Content and Technical Requirements

To be eligible for this Contest, your entry must meet the following content and technical requirements.

Your application may be localized in any language; however, the supporting materials must be presented in English.
Your entry must include at least two (2) of the Required Elements and two (2) of the Optional Elements described below:

Required Elements

Implement or consume a XML Web Service
Designed for .NET Framework 2.0 or later
Use Visual Studio family (Express, Standard, or Team System) for development

Optional Elements

Implement or use a PopFly Block
Microsoft Interoperability techniques
Windows Live SDK
British Telecom SDK
Mobile device
.NET Compact Framework
ASP .NET
SQL Server
Imagine Cup sponsor resource
The content of your entry must be suitable for all viewing audiences. Any material containing text, sound or images that the Contest Judges, in their sole opinion, determine to be vulgar, offensive or otherwise inappropriate for public viewing or content that would present Microsoft or other companies in a negative light will be disqualified.

In addition, by submitting your entry into this Contest you confirm that, to the best of your knowledge:

your entry including its supporting materials is your own original work; and
your entry only includes material (including music, video or images) that you own, or that you have permission from the copyright / trademark owner to use; and
you have obtained permission from any recognizable person (parent/guardian, if a minor) that appears in your entry to submit your entry in this Contest and to use their personal data in the entry for the purposes of the Contest (if applicable); and
Your entry has not been selected as a prize winner in any other contest.

6. HOW WILL MY ENTRY BE POTENTIALLY USED?

Other than what is set forth below, we are not claiming any ownership rights to your entry. However, by submitting your entry, you:

are granting us an irrevocable, worldwide right and license to: (i) reproduce, copy, modify or alter your entry with all known all later developed means; (ii) use, review, assess, test and otherwise analyze your entry and all its content in connection with this Contest and (ii) feature your entry and all its content in connection with the promotion of this Contest in all media (now known or later developed);
agree to sign any necessary documentation that may be required for us and our designees to make use of the rights you granted above;
understand and acknowledge that that Microsoft and other entrants may have developed or commissioned materials similar or identical to your submission and you waive any claims you may have resulting from any similarities to your entry;
understand that we cannot control the incoming information you will disclose to our representatives in the course of entering, or what our representatives will remember about your entry. You also understand that we will not restrict work assignments of representatives who have had access to your entry. By entering this Contest, you agree that use of information in our representatives’ unaided memories in the development or deployment of our products or services does not create liability for us under this agreement or copyright or trade secret law;
understand that you will not receive any compensation or credit for use of your entry, other than what is described in these Official Rules.

Please note that your entry may be posted on a website selected by us for viewing by visitors to that website. We are not responsible for any unauthorized use of your entry by visitors to this website. While we reserve these rights, we are not obligated to use your entry for any purpose, even if it has been selected as a winning entry.

If you do not want to grant us these rights to your entry, please do not enter this Contest.

7. HOW DO I REGISTER?

If you wish to participate in this Contest, you must register at www.imaginecup.com as instructed during the Registration Period, either individually, or as a member of a Team. Registration opens September 1, 2007 at 12:01 AM PT and closes on January 30, 2008 at 11:59 PM PT (“Registration Period”)
For purposes of this Contest, a Team consists of up to four (4) eligible students (each a “Team”). At the time of registration, you must identify your Team. Once you register, you can’t change Teams and/or remove yourself and/or any other person from a Team. Each Team is solely responsible for its own cooperation and teamwork. In no event will Microsoft officiate in any dispute regarding the conduct or cooperation of any Team or its members. In addition, although you may not compete as a member of multiple Teams in this Contest, you may compete as a member of a different team in a different Imagine Cup 2008 Invitational.

8. HOW DO I SUBMIT MY ENTRY?

Round 1 & 2 –Qualifying and North America Semi Finals

To submit your entry for Round 1 and Round 2 , you must navigate to www.Microsoft4me/imaginecup/sdi and submit your entry materials as instructed.

Round 3 – North America Finals

If you advance to Round 3 of this Contest, Microsoft will provide you with entry submission requirements prior to the start of Round 3.

We will only accept one (1) entry per Team. We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason.

We will automatically disqualify:
(1)Incomplete or illegible entries; and

(2)Entries that we receive in excess of the entry limit described above.

9. HOW WILL ENTRIES BE JUDGED?

Round 1 - Qualifying

We will screen all entries received during the Round 1 Entry Period to verify that all of the required Round 1 entry materials, as described in Section 5 above, have been submitted. All Teams that submit the required Round 1 entry materials during the Round 1 Entry Period will advance to Round 2.

No judging or elimination at this point. It is a check in point and competitors must submit required materials to move on.

Round 2 – North America Semi Finals

A panel of qualified judges, which will include at least one (1) independent judge, will review all eligible entries received and select ten (10) Teams to advance to Round 3 of this Contest (each, a “Finalist”) based upon the Judging Criteria described below. The decision will be made on or around February 27, 2008. If your Team is selected to advance to Round 3 of this Contest, you must be willing and able to travel, as a guest of Microsoft, to compete in the North American Finals in Los Angeles, California, in April 2008 (exact dates to be announced).

Round 2:Judging Criteria

20% Innovation and impact:
Does the application approach a new problem, or look at an old problem in a new way? Does the solution either impact a large number of people very broadly, or impact a smaller number of people very deeply?
20% Business Plan:
Does the project have the ability for high growth potential , is it defensible from competitors, is there a market leadership potential? Compelling reason for why this business is going to be around in 5 years?
15% Functional Completeness:
Is the project implemented functionally to 30% completeness, and "demonstration-ready“?
15% Extendibility:
Is the project technically open for evolution? How well documented and realistic is the versioning plan?
10% Video Presentation:
The Video should provide background and context to the project, explain why the problem is an interesting one, highlight how the system works, and it MUST include a through demonstration.
10% Problem Definition and Consistency:
How precise and relevant is a real world problem chosen by the team, and how well does the project adhere to the Imagine Cup theme?
10% Documentation:
Is the project well documented? Is the testing plan complete and actionable? Is the development time-table accurate and up to date?

Round 3 – North America Finals

A panel of qualified judges, which will include at least one (1) independent judge, will review all eligible entries received from the ten (10) Finalists and select one (1) Grand Prize Winner based upon the Judging Criteria described below. The decision will be made on or around March 10, 2008. If your Team is selected as the Grand Prize Winner of this Contest, at least one (1) person from your Team must travel, as a guest of Microsoft, to compete at the Imagine Cup 2008 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final in Paris, France (exact dates to be announced). If neither you nor anyone else from you Team can attend, the next highest scoring Team will be invited to compete.

Round 3: Judging Criteria

20% Presentation:
The judges will be looking for oral presentations that provide background and context to the project, explain why the problem is an interesting one, highlight how the system works, and include an insightful demonstration. Teams will also be evaluated on their ability to take questions from the judging panel.
20% Business Plan:
Does the application have the ability for high growth potential? Is it defensible from competitors? Is there a market leadership potential? Compelling reason for why this business is going to be around in 5 years? Would this be great investment of additional capital?
15% Innovation, Impact and Effectiveness:
Does the application approach a new problem, or look at an old problem in a new way? Does the application either impact a large number of people very broadly, or impact a smaller number of people very deeply? To what degree does the application solve the problem?
15% User Experience:
To what degree are the HCI (Human Computer Interfaces) intuitive, ergonomic and user friendly?
15% Functional Completeness:
Is the application implemented, working, and demonstration-ready"?
10% Complexity and Extendibility:
How well does the application assemble and handle all the technologies and techniques used to solve the problem? Is the application technically open for evolution?
5% Problem Definition:
How precise and relevant is a real world problem chosen by the Team? Does it adhere to the Contest Theme?

All decisions of the Contest Judges are final and binding. If we do not receive a sufficient number of entries meeting the entry requirements, we may, at our discretion based on the above Judging Criteria, select fewer than the number of winner stated. In the event of a tie between any eligible entries, the tie will be broken by an additional judge who will the judge the tied entries based on the criteria listed above.

10. WHAT IS/ARE THE PRIZE(S)?

Ten (10) Round 2 Finalist Prizes: An opportunity for each member of the Team to travel to Los Angeles, California, as a guest of Microsoft, to participate in an externship and compete in the North America Finals (Trip includes roundtrip airfare and lodging, Approximate Retail Value (ARV), US$4,800.00) and a $500 donation to the officially recognized student organization that you designated at time of entry.

One (1) Grand Prize: A trophy, US$12,000 to be distributed equally among each member of the Team and an opportunity for each member of the Team to travel to Paris, France, as a guest of Microsoft, to compete in the Imagine Cup 2008 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final. (See www.imaginecup.com for Official Rules applicable to the Imagine Cup 2008 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final) Trip includes roundtrip airfare and lodging (ARV, US$22,000.00)

One (1) First Runner Up Prize: US$8,000 cash to be distributed equally among each member of the Team.

One (1) Second Runner Up Prize: US$4,000 to be distributed equally among each member of the Team.

The odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received and the level of skill of each entrant.

11. STUDENT ORGANIZATION DONATION AND PRIZE CONDITIONS

A US$500 donation will only be provided to the student organization that you / your Team designated at time of entry. The student organization must be officially recognized by your / your Team’s educational institution. In addition, a student organization’s receipt of a donation may be subject to return of an executed Donation Letter. If a Donation Letter is not executed as prescribed and returned within the timelines designated, or if Donation Letter is returned as non-deliverable, or if you or your Team is found to be ineligible or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules for any reason, as determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion, the donation may be forfeited. In the event that members of the Team designated different student organizations, the donation will be split equally between each of those student organizations.

All travel prizes include round trip coach airfare from major airport closest to your residence, standard double occupancy hotel accommodations (2 people, 1 room), and select meals. Actual value depends on date/time/destination, and difference between actual value and stated value will not be awarded in cash. If you reside within 100 miles of the stated travel destination, we reserve the right to provide alternative means of transportation to and from such destination.

Specifics of travel prize package and travel dates are subject to availability, and may change at any time. Therefore, you must have flexible travel plans. You are solely responsible for obtaining any and all travel documentation (including but not limited to a valid passport and any required travel visas) necessary for travel.

Any expenses not explicitly listed herein, are your sole responsibility. No cancellation of your reservations or transfer of your reservations to another date after reservations have been made will be allowed. If the North America Final or the Imagine Cup 2008 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final is canceled, for any reason, we shall have no further obligation to you other than to supply the stated prize minus the opportunity to attend the North America Final or Imagine Cup 2008 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final (as applicable). Your travel must be completed on the dates we specify or the prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner. You must sign and return a declaration of eligibility, use, indemnity and, where legal, a publicity release before any travel prize will be delivered.

If for any reason the advertised prize is unavailable, unless to do so would be prohibited by law, we reserve the right to substitute a prize(s) of equal or greater value, as permitted. If you are selected as a prize winner in this Contest:

(1) You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services.

(2) You may not designate someone else as the winner. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we may award it to an alternate winner.

(3) If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize.

(4) If you are a minor in your place of residence, we may award the prize to your parent/legal guardian on your behalf.

12. HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE A WINNER?

If you are a potential winner, we will notify you by sending a message to the e-mail address, the phone number, or mailing address (if any) listed on your entry within seven (7) days following the determination of winners. If the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may award the prize to an alternate winner.

If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter the Contest.

If you are a potential winner, we may require you to sign a declaration of eligibility, use, indemnity and liability/publicity release. If you are a potential winner and are a minor in your place of residence, and we require that your parent or legal guardian accept the prize pursuant to clause 11(4) above, we may require that they sign a declaration of eligibility, use, indemnity and liability/publicity release on your behalf. If you, (or your parent/legal guardian if applicable), do not sign and return these required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select an alternate selected winner.

13. WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE YOU ARE AGREEING TO BY ENTERING THIS CONTEST?

By entering this Contest you agree:

(1.) To abide by these Official Rules; and

(2.) To the extent allowable under applicable law, to release and hold harmless Microsoft and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss, damage, right, claim or action of any kind arising from or in connection with this Contest or any prize won; and

(3.) That Microsoft’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Contest; and

(4.) That by accepting a prize, Microsoft may use your name and place of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Contest, without payment or compensation to you. The declaration of eligibility, use, indemnity and liability/publicity release provided to the potential winner (pursuant to clause 12 above) will make reference to obtaining his/her free consent to use his/her name and place of residence. In any case, the lack of such consent does not prevent the winner from receiving the prize.
This Contest will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Contest.

11. WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE CONTEST CAN’T RUN AS PLANNED?

If someone cheats, or a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Contest, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Contest. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Contest, we reserve the right to select winners based on the criteria specified above from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Contest.

If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Contest by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Contests, so please play fairly.

12. HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHO WON?

We will post the names of confirmed winners online after each Round of this Contest at: http://Microsoft4me.com

13. WHO IS SPONSORING THIS CONTEST?

Microsoft Corporation is the sponsor of this Contest.

Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
USA

14. PRIVACY
Microsoft’s Privacy Policy will apply to this Contest and to all information that we receive from your entry. Please read the Privacy Policy on the Contest entry page before accepting the Official Rules and submitting your entry. Please note that by accepting the Official Rules you are also accepting the terms of the Privacy Policy.