Imagine Cup 2009 > Software Design Invitational > Official Rules

United States Software Design Invitational Official Rules

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:
These are the Official rules that govern how the Imagine Cup 2009 United States 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 two (2) separate Contest Categories (Software Design Invitational (SDI), Software Design Invitational - Mobile Device Award (SDI – Mobile Device Award)). The object of each Contest Category is described below.

SDI

The object is to design and develop an original and innovative software application that complies with the SDI Content and Technical Requirements described in Section 6 below and addresses the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme: "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today.” All completed entries submitted during Round 1 will be automatically considered for advancement to the SDI Semi-Finals.

SDI - Mobile Device Award

The object of the SDI – Mobile Device Award is to recognize the SDI entry that best integrates Windows Mobile functionality.

In order to have your SDI entry considered for the SDI - Mobile Device Award:

• the software application portion of your entry must include, as one of your “Required Elements”, use of a Windows Mobile device, and as one of your “Optional Elements”, use of Windows Mobile technologies and the Windows Mobile SDK (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb847935.aspx) and, during Round 1, at time of submission,

  AND

• During Round 1, you must indicate that you want us to consider your entry for the SDI - Mobile Device Award.

PLEASE NOTE: The SDI – Mobile Device Award is separate from the SDI competition, and submitting your SDI entry for consideration for the SDI – Mobile Device Award is not required. However, you can submit your SDI entry for consideration for the SDI – Mobile Device Award provided you meet all of the eligibility requirements and your entry meets all of the SDI – Mobile Device Award Content and Technical Requirements in Section 6 below.

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

This Contest starts at 12:01 AM Pacific Time (PT) on September 12, 2008, and ends in Spring 2009 (“Entry Period”). The Entry Period consists of the three (3) Rounds of competition described below. All required entry deliverables must be received within the designated Round in order to be eligible for judging.

Round 1 – Qualifying

Round 1 starts at 12:01 AM Pacific Time (PT) on September 12, 2008, and ends at 11:59 PM PT on January 22, 2009 (“Round 1 Entry Period”). On or around the close of the Round 1 Entry Period, the judges will review all entries received in each Contest Category. Teams that submitted all required Round 1 entry materials (in compliance with the applicable content and technical requirements set forth in Section 6 below, as determined by the judges) will be invited to advance to compete in Round 2.

Round 2 – United States Semi-Finals

Round 2 starts at 12:01 AM PT on January 23, 2009, and ends at 11:59 PM PT on March 8, 2009 (“Round 2 Entry Period”). On or around the close of the Round 2 Entry Period, the judges will review all eligible entries received, and invite up to fifteen (15) of the top Teams in each Contest Category to advance to compete in Round 3. Finalists will be announced on or around March 20, 2009.

Public Voting Period – People's Choice Award
The top fifteen (15) finalists selected to advance to compete in Round 3 will also be eligible to win a "People's Choice Award" determined by who receives the most votes from the public The Public Voting Period begins at 12:01 AM PT on April 20, 2009, and ends at 11:59 PM PT on April 30, 2009 ("Public Voting Period").

Round 3 – United States Finals

Round 3 of this Contest will take place in Spring, 2009 (exact location and start and end dates to be announced). On around the close of the Round 3 Entry Period, the judges will review all eligible entries received, and determine one (1) Grand Prize Winner in the SDI - Mobile Device Award Contest Category, and one (1) Grand Prize Winner, One (1) First Prize Winner and one (1) Second Prize Winner in the SDI Contest Category. The Grand Prize Winner in the SDI Contest Category will be invited to advance to compete in the 2009 Imagine Cup Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final.

Imagine Cup 2009 Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final

The 2009 Imagine Cup Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final will take place July 2009 in Cairo, Egypt (exact start and end dates to be announced).

3.    HOW DO I REGISTER?

The Registration Period starts at 12:01 AM GMT on August 29, 2008, and ends at 11:59 PM GMT on March 8, 2009 ("Registration Period").

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. If you wish register as an individual, at time of registration, you will need to create a Team and join it as an individual. If you wish to register as a member of a Team, at time of registration, you must identify your Team. You cannot change Teams or otherwise remove yourself or anyone else from your Team after the close of the Registration Period.

A team may consist of up to four (4) eligible students (each a "Team"). It is recommended, but not required, that you have one (1) mentor for your Team, in addition to your four (4) Team members. Limit one (1) mentor per 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 2009 Imagine Cup Invitational.

4.    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); 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) 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 outside the geographic region described above and where prohibited by law.

5.    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 us immediately and explain the circumstances. If you fail to notify us of a change in eligibility status, you and your Team may be disqualified from this Contest.

5.    WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ELIGIBLE ENTRY?

Each Round of competition in each Contest Category (SDI and SDI - Mobile Device Award) requires unique entry deliverables, as described below. All required entry deliverables must be received within the designated entry period in order for your entry to be eligible for judging, and must comply with the applicable content and technical requirements described in Section 6 below.

Round 1 – Qualifying

SDI Entry Deliverables

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

Using the templates that we will provide at www.microsoft4me.com/imaginecup, complete and submit the following:

• Starter Business Plan (template provided)
• Design Requirements Document (template provided)
• Development Schedule (template provided)
• Description of your solution, how it adheres to the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme, introduction of each member of the Team.

SDI - Mobile Device Award Entry Deliverables

During Round 1, you must submit all of the SDI entry deliverables. In addition, in the Design Requirements Document, you must describe how you will use the Windows Mobile SDK to integrate Windows Mobile functionality into your software application.

Round 2 – United States Semi-Finals

SDI Entry Deliverables

• Working prototype of the software application, in “Alpha Mode,” submitted as a Microsoft Visual Studio project file.

• Current Development Schedule (template provided)

• Semi Final Business Plan, updated to include more detail, positive feedback from potential buyers, and preliminary information demonstrating that the proposed software application can be financially successful. (template provided)

• A video (at least three, but not more than 5 minutes), submitted as an electronic file less than 30 MB in size in the .avi, .mpeg, or .wmv format that: (A) introduces each member of the Team; and (B) describes your software application by providing: (i) background and context; (ii) an explanation of why the problem that your software application is designed to address is interesting; (iii) a description of how the software application works; and (3) a thorough demonstration of the software application in “Alpha Mode.”

  NOTE: We will provide templates at www.microsoft4me.com/imaginecup that you can use to create and submit your Current Development Schedule, design requirements document and Semi-Finals Business Plan. Use of the templates is a requirement for your submission.

SDI - Mobile Device Award Entry Deliverables

During Round 2, you must submit all of the SDI entry deliverables.

Round 3– United States Finals

SDI Entry Deliverables

During Round 3, your Team must create and submit the materials described below:

• Oral Presentation, approximately twenty (20) minutes in length that describes your software application and how it addresses the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme as well as its development architecture, purpose(s) and benefit(s).
• Beta version of the software application to demonstrate as part of your presentation; roughly 80% complete
• (Optional) Updated version of your business plan. We highly recommend this, and expect it will be useful for the innovation workshop and to show any members of the academic, industry, or VC community you may meet.

SDI - Mobile Device Award Entry Deliverables

During Round 3, you must submit all of the SDI entry deliverables.

6.    Content and Technical Requirements

Each Contest Category (SDI and SDI – Mobile Device Award ) requires unique entry deliverables, as described in Section 5 above. All required entry deliverables must comply with the applicable content and technical requirements described below.

SDI

The software application portion of your entry must include each of the Required Elements and one (1) of the Optional Elements described below:

Required Elements

• Use of a mobile device; this may or may not include the use of the Windows Mobile SDK;
• Implementation or consumption of a XML Web Service;
• Use of the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or later;
• Visual Studio family (Express, Standard, Professional, or Team System) for development

Optional Elements

• Implement or use a PopFly Block
• Interoperability techniques
• Windows Live SDK
• Use of Windows Mobile technologies and SDK
• .NET Compact Framework
• ASP .NET
• SQL Server
• Imagine Cup sponsor resources (/About/Sponsors.aspx)

SDI - Mobile Device Award

In addition to the SDI content and technical requirements described above, in order to be eligible for the SDI - Mobile Device Award, the software application portion of your entry must include, as one of your “Required Elements,” use of a Windows Mobile device, and, as one of your “Optional Elements”, use of Windows Mobile technologies and SDK (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb847935.aspx).

Other Requirements:

In addition to the Contest Category-specific content and technical requirements described above, in order to be eligible for judging, all entries must meet the following basic content and technical requirements.

• Your entry must address a social cause connected to the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme: "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today"
• The software application portion of your entry may be localized in any language; however, all supporting materials must be presented in the English language.
• The content of your entry must be suitable for all viewing audiences. Any material containing text, sound or images that the 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.

7.    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); and
• agree to sign any necessary documentation that may be required for us and our designees to make use of the rights you granted above; and
• 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; and
• 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; and
• 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.

8.    HOW DO I SUBMIT MY ENTRY?

Round 1 - Qualifying

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

Round 2 – United States Semi-Finals

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

Round 3 – United States 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:

• Incomplete or illegible entries; and
• Entries that we receive in excess of the entry limit described above.

8.    HOW WILL ENTRIES BE JUDGED?

Round 1 - Qualifying

For each Contest Category, we will review 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 and that these entry materials comply with the applicable content and technical requirements, as described in Section 6 above. All Teams that submit the required Round 1 entry materials that comply with the applicable content and technical requirements during the Round 1 Entry Period will advance to Round 2.

Round 2 – United States Semi Finals

For each Contest Category, a panel of qualified judges will review all eligible entries received and select up to fifteen (15) SDI Teams to advance to Round 3 of this Contest (each, a “Finalist”) based upon the applicable Judging Criteria described below. The decision will be made on or around March 20, 2009. If your SDI 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 United States Finals in April 2009 (location and exact dates to be announced).

SDI Judging Criteria

• 10% Problem Definition: How precise and relevant is the real world problem? Describe why you selected the specific problem and why it is more compelling than other issues. This is the Needs, or Market Analysis section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Consistency: How well does the solution adhere to the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme? Why is your solution better than any current options? This is the Competitive Analysis and Positioning section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Innovation: Does the solution approach a new problem, or look at an old problem in a new way? Is your product or service evolutionary, or revolutionary? This is the Product section of the Business Plan that covers the proprietary nature of your offering.
• 10% Impact: Does the solution either impact a large number of people very broadly, or impact a smaller number of people very deeply? What is the impact or value of your solution? This is the part of your Business Plan that quantifies return on investment, or why someone should invest in your project.
• 10% Effectiveness: To what degree does the solution solve the problem in question? Document your target consumer's satisfaction with your solution. What customer retention or repeat purchase assumptions have you made? This is the Consumer Market Research section of your Business Plan, and enables you to justify your sales forecast.
• 10% User Experience: To what degree is the HCI (Human Computer Interface) intuitive, ergonomic, and user friendly? What HCI research did you conduct? What feedback did you receive and what modifications did you make from the concept stage to your final product? This is the Product section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Extendibility: Is the project technically open for evolution? Will the launch of your product result in competition and how will you maintain your competitive advantage after the first year? This is the future Product Development and Financial Forecast portion of your Business Plan.
• 10% Complexity Management: How well does the solution assemble and handle all the technologies and techniques used to solve the problem? Is your product ready for market? What alpha and beta tests have you run and what experience have target consumers reported? This is the Production section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Functional Completeness: Is the project implemented, working, and "demonstration-ready"? How realistic are your sales projections? What consumer feedback do you have from current users and potential target consumers to justify the sales projections? This is another part of the Financial section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Video Presentation: Does your video 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?

SDI - Mobile Device Award Judging Criteria

• 30%: Does the software application have potential to make a large impact in solving problems?
• 30%: Taking into consideration the user interface (UI) and functionality, is the software application easy to use?
• 40%: How well does the software application integrate Windows Mobile functionality?

Bonus:
If the entry uses other “Optional Elements” to complement the Windows Mobile functionality, up to [10] bonus points will be added to the overall score.

Public Voting Period – People’s Choice Award

The Finalists’ entries will be presented online for public voting at the US Imagine Cup Website (the “Site”) beginning at approximately 12:01 AM PT on April 20, 2009, and ending at approximately 11:59 PM PT on May 1, 2009 (the “Public Voting Term”). Throughout the Public Voting Term, will have the opportunity to visit the Contest Gallery and “vote” for an entry by clicking on the “vote” button (a click on the “vote” button will be tracked by the Site as a “vote” for that specific entry). Limit one (1) vote per person per day during the Public Voting Term. Public vote totals will assist in determining one (1) winning entry. In the event of a tie between any eligible entries, the tie will be broken by an additional public voting session via the same methods listed above to end no later than 11:59 PM PT on May 3, 2009.

Round 3 – United States Finals

For each Contest Category, a panel of qualified judges will review all eligible entries received from each Finalist. In SDI, the judges will determine one (1) Grand Prize Winner, one (1) First Prize Winner, and one (1) Second Prize Winner based upon the applicable judging criteria. In SDI - Mobile Device Award, the judges will determine one (1) Grand Prize Winner based upon the applicable judging criteria. If your Team is selected as the Grand Prize Winner of SDI, then least one (1) member of your Team must travel, as a guest of Microsoft, to compete at the 2009 Imagine Cup Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final in Cairo, Egypt. If neither you nor anyone else from you Team can attend, the next highest scoring Team will be invited to compete instead.

Software Design Award Category Judging Criteria

• 10% Problem Definition: How precise and relevant is the real world problem? Describe why you selected the specific problem and why it is more compelling than other issues. This is the Needs, or Market Analysis section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Consistency: How well does the solution adhere to the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme? Why is your solution better than any current options? This is the Competitive Analysis and Positioning section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Innovation: Does the solution approach a new problem, or look at an old problem in a new way? Is your product or service evolutionary, or revolutionary? This is the Product section of the Business Plan that covers the proprietary nature of your offering.
• 10% Impact: Does the solution either impact a large number of people very broadly, or impact a smaller number of people very deeply? What is the impact or value of your solution? This is the part of your Business Plan that quantifies return on investment, or why someone should invest in your project.
• 10% Effectiveness: To what degree does the solution solve the problem in question? Document your target consumer's satisfaction with your solution. What customer retention or repeat purchase assumptions have you made? This is the Consumer Market Research section of your Business Plan, and enables you to justify your sales forecast.
• 10% User Experience: To what degree is the HCI (Human Computer Interface) intuitive, ergonomic, and user friendly? What HCI research did you conduct? What feedback did you receive and what modifications did you make from the concept stage to your final product? This is the Product section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Extendibility: Is the project technically open for evolution? Will the launch of your product result in competition and how will you maintain your competitive advantage after the first year? This is the future Product Development and Financial Forecast portion of your Business Plan.
• 10% Complexity Management: How well does the solution assemble and handle all the technologies and techniques used to solve the problem? Is your product ready for market? What Alpha and Beta tests have you run and what experience have target consumers reported? This is the Production section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Functional Completeness: Is the solution implemented, working, and "demonstration-ready"? How realistic are your sales projections? What consumer feedback do you have from current users and potential target consumers to justify the sales projections? This is another part of the Financial section of your Business Plan.
• 10% Presentation: How well did you provide background and context to the project, explain why the problem is an interesting one, highlight how the system works, and provide an insightful demonstration? How well did you answer the questions from the judging panel?

Mobile Device Award Judging Criteria

• 30%: Does the software application have potential to make a large impact in solving problems?
• 30%: Taking into consideration the user interface (UI) and functionality, is the software application easy to use?
• 40%: How well does the software application integrate Windows Mobile functionality?

Bonus:

• If the entry uses other “Optional Elements” to complement the Windows Mobile functionality, up to [10] bonus points will be added to the overall score.

All decisions of the 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 applicable above judging criteria select fewer than the number of winners 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.

8.    WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

Software Design Award Category

SDI

Fifteen (15) Round 2 Finalist Prizes: For each member of the Team, an invitation to travel, as a guest of Microsoft, to the location of the US Finals (location and exact dates to be announced), , to compete in the US Finals. Trip includes round trip air travel, hotel accommodations and select meals (Approximate Retail Value (ARV), $4,800 USD per person).

One (1) People’s Choice Award Prize: For each member of the winning Team, a Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder. (ARV, $229.00)

One (1) Grand Prize: A prize package that includes the following:

• For each member of the Team, an invitation to travel, as a guest of Microsoft, to Cairo, Egypt, to compete in the 2009 Imagine Cup Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final. (See www.imaginecup.com for rules applicable to the 2009 Imagine Cup Worldwide Software Design Invitational Final. Trip includes round trip air travel, hotel accommodations and select meals. (ARV, $5,500 USD per person).

• The Team’s choice of one (1) of the following prizes:

  • $8,000 USD cash, to be divided equally among each member of the Team.

    OR

  A Microsoft-sponsored $16,000 USD NCIIA e-team grant (www.nciia.org to be awarded to the Team’s university or college and applied towards additional development and commercialization of the Team’s winning solution.

  One (1) First Runner Up Prize: The Team’s choice of either: (1) a cash prize of $4,000 USD to be divided equally among each member of the Team,; or (2) a $8,000 USD award in the form of a Microsoft sponsored NCIIA e-team grant (www.nciia.org) to be distributed to the Team’s university or college and applied towards additional development and commercialization of the Team’s prize winning solution.

  One (1) Second Runner Up Prize: The Team’s choice of either: (1) a cash prize of $3,000 USD to be divided equally among each member of the Team; or (2) a $6,000 USD award in the form of a Microsoft sponsored NCIIA e-team grant (www.nciia.org) to be distributed to the Team’s university or college and applied towards additional development and commercialization of the Team’s prize winning solution.

SDI - Mobile Device Award

Semi-Finalist Prizes. Each Team that advances to Round 2 will receive a windows mobile device of at least $100.00 (ARV).

One (1) Grand Prize. For each member of the Team, and prize package that includes the following:

• A Windows Mobile Device (ARV, $100.00)
• The opportunity to receive an internship with Microsoft
  • NOTE: Extension of internship offer is at our sole and exclusive discretion. In order to receive an internship offer,you must be qualified (as determined by Sponsor), and willing and able to relocate for the duration of the internship (approximately 12 weeks).

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

11.    PRIZE CONDITIONS

All NCIIA e-team grant prizes may be subject to receipt an executed Donation Letter from your college or university. 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 NCIIA e-team grant may be forfeited. In the event that members of the Team attend different colleges or universities, the donation may be split equally between each of those colleges and/or universities.

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 US Final Event or the 2009 Imagine Cup 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 US Final Event or 2009 Imagine Cup 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:

• You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services.
• 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.
• If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize.
• 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.

The people’s choice award winning team will be announced May 5, at the US Imagine Cup Awards Ceremony at the Microsoft New England Research & Development Center in Cambridge, MA.

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, we may require that your parent or legal guardian 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 winner.

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

By entering this Contest you agree:

• To abide by these Official Rules; and
• 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
• That Microsoft’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Contest; and
• 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.

14.    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

15.    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

16.    WHO IS SPONSORING THIS CONTEST?

Microsoft Corporation is the sponsor of this Contest.

Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
USA

17.    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.