Photo Contest Rules: National Geographic's Celebrate Photography

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SPONSOR
Sponsor is National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-4688 ("Sponsor" or "NGS").

TERM
The Celebrate Photography Contest ("Contest") begins August 23, 2004, at midnight (12:00 a.m.) Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and ends November 5, 2004, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

WHO MAY ENTER
Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are age eighteen (18) or older at the time of entry. Employees of National Geographic Society, Fox Entertainment Group, Circuit City, Energizer, Hewlett Packard, Imation, Integrated Marketing Services of NY, SanDisk, and their agents, affiliates, and subsidiaries and their immediate family members are not eligible. CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

HOW TO ENTER

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY, AND A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. To enter, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/celebrate and complete an entry form with the required information, including your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.
Entrant must also submit one photograph that complies with the following requirements (the "Photograph Requirements"):
The photograph must be in digital format. The original, unmodified camera image must be submitted with your entry. No print or film submissions will be accepted for entry into this contest. All digital files must be one megabyte or smaller.
The use of public domain images is prohibited.
Photographs that include sculptures, statues, paintings, and other works of art will be accepted as long as they do not constitute copyright infringement or fraud; provided that entrants must be prepared to provide a release form as described below in "Release." When photographing the work of others, it must be as an object in its environment and not a full-frame close up of another person's art.
The content of the photograph must be simple, uncluttered and pleasing to the eye. It should strike a responsive chord in the viewer and capture the essence of a person, place, or event.
The photo, in its entirety, must be a single work of original material taken by the contest entrant. By entering the Contest, entrant represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted photograph is an original work created solely by the entrant and that no other party has any right, title, claim, or interest in the photograph.
Obscene, provocative, or otherwise objectionable content will not be considered, and such determination is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
The photograph will be judged in accordance with the Judging Criteria, as defined below.
All entries must be submitted and received by November 5, 2004, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Online entries must be made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the 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, online 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.

RELEASE

Upon Sponsor's request, each entrant must be prepared to provide a signed written personal release from all persons who appear in the photograph submitted, authorizing use of the photograph in Sponsor's editorial publications, marketing and promotions in any and all media. Similarly, upon Sponsor's request, each entrant must be prepared to provide a signed written release from the copyright owner of any sculpture, artwork, or other copyrighted material that appears in the photograph entry, authorizing use of the photograph in Sponsor's editorial publications, marketing, and promotions in any and all media. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Blank release forms are available for download at www.nationalgeographic.com/celebrate/.

CONTEST PRIZES
THE POTENTIAL WINNERS ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN THE FOLLOWING: (1) AN AFFIDAVIT OF ELIGIBILITY AND LIABILITY RELEASE AND (2) WARRANTY OF OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE. UNLESS PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE POTENTIAL WINNER MUST SIGN THESE TWO DOCUMENTS IN ORDER FOR SPONSOR TO AWARD THE PRIZE. NONCOMPLIANCE OR RETURN OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION AS UNDELIVERABLE WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND SELECTION OF AN ALTERNATE WINNER.

Sponsor will award the following prizes:

One (1) Grand Prize Winner will be selected. The Grand Prize consists of attendance for the winner and one (1) guest at the National Geographic Expedition "Tuscany Photography Workshop" in Tuscany, Italy, from September 18 - September 24, 2005 ("Workshop"). The Workshop includes meals, local transportation, and double occupancy accommodations for six (6) nights as described in the Expeditions catalog at www.nationalgeographic.com/ngexpeditions/; The Grand Prize also includes airfare for winner and guest from the major airport closest to winner's home to Tuscany, Italy. (Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") is U.S. $10,000). Tips, taxes, insurance, and all other expenses not stated herein or in the Expeditions catalog description of the Workshop are the sole responsibility of the winner and travel companion. Grand Prize winner and companion are responsible for bringing their own camera and photographic equipment for use during the Workshop and for all necessary travel authorizations and travel insurance. The Grand Prize winner and travel companion's participation in the Workshop will be subject to the Terms and Conditions and Responsibility Statement in the Expeditions catalog.
Two (2) First Prize winners will be selected. Each First Prize consists of one HP PhotoSmart digital camera and one HP PhotoSmart printer. ARV of each First Prize is U.S. $650.
Ten (10) Second Prize winners will be selected. Each Second Prize consists of one Circuit City Gift Certificate for U.S. $100. ARV of each Second Prize is U.S. $100.
Twenty-five (25) Third Prize winners will be selected. Each Third Prize consists of one National Geographic Field Guide to Digital Photography. ARV of each Third Prize is U.S. $21.95.
Any difference between actual cost of prize and the ARV will not be awarded.
No prize transfer, assignment, or substitution by winners permitted. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any prize, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded.
Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

JUDGING

Contest consists of three (3) rounds of evaluation. The judges will use the same Judging Criteria in each round. The top candidates in Round One will proceed to Round Two. The top candidates in Round Two will proceed to Round Three.
A panel of National Geographic experts ("Judges") will evaluate the entries based on the following criteria ("Judging Criteria"):

(1) Simplicity of photograph: 20 percent
(2) Uncluttered imagery: 50 percent
(3) Extent to which the photograph captures the essence of a person, place, or event: 30 percent
Winners will be chosen on or about November 19, 2004, and notified by e-mail by December 3, 2004.
Decisions of the Judges are final.

LICENSE
Selected entries and the author's names may be published by Sponsor in one of Sponsor's magazines or on its Web site, or in any other medium, in Sponsor's discretion. By participating, all entrants grant a license in the entries to Sponsor, and acknowledge that Sponsor may use the entries and a name credit in any media now or hereafter known, without the restriction, including commercially using and exploiting the entries to fullest extent possible. Display or publication of any entry on Sponsor's Web site does not indicate the entrant will be selected as a winner. Sponsors will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use or exploitation. Additionally, by participating, each entrant grants to Sponsor the unrestricted right to use all statements made in connection with the Contest, and pictures or likeness of Contest participants, or choose not to do so, at its sole discretion. Neither Sponsor nor Sponsor's agent will be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use or exploitation.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
By participating, participants agree to release, discharge and hold harmless National Geographic Society and its partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, 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.

NGS assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, or delay in operation or transmission; communications line failure; theft or destruction of or unauthorized access to Contest entries or entry forms; or alteration of entries or entry forms. And NGS is not responsible for any problems with or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail entry to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participants' or any other persons' computers related to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in this Contest.

CONDITIONS

THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. This Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Certain restrictions may apply. Entries void if the Sponsor determines the photograph 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.

Participants 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 photographs 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 federal, state, and local taxes, fees, and surcharges on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prizewinners. 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.

Grand Prize winner and his/her travel companion must travel together on the same itinerary. The trip may not be combined with any other offer. Regulations and conditions may apply. Grand Prize winner and Grand Prize winner's travel companion will be responsible for all necessary travel authorizations and for any travel insurance. By accepting the Grand Prize, Grand Prize winner and his/her travel companion represent that they understand that travel, whether in civilized or remote areas and whether by plane, automobile, boat, raft, or other conveyance, or by foot, on land or water, and in the air, contains some inherent element of risk of accident, illness, injury, loss or death, which may be caused by negligence, forces of nature, wild animals or other agencies, known or unknown. Grand Prize winner and his/her travel companion represent that they recognize that such risks may be present at any time before, during, and after the trip. In order to be considered a Grand Prize winner and partake of the enjoyment of this adventure travel trip, potential Grand Prize winner and his/her travel companion must be willing to accept the risk, and to confirm their acceptance to such risk in writing at Sponsor's request.

RIGHT TO CANCEL OR SUSPEND CONTEST
If for any reason the 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 NGS that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, NGS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual(s) who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest. If Sponsor elects to cancel or terminate the Contest, Sponsor will not retain any rights in the submitted photographs.

WINNERS LIST
Entrants are responsible for complying with these Official Rules. Winners' names will be available online at www.nationalgeographic.com/celebrate/ after December 15, 2004. For names of winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Celebrate Photography Contest: National Geographic Society, 1145 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036, attn: Carmen Lopez (Residents of Vermont need not include 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 nationalgeographic.com 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: nationalgeographic.com, Registration Sweepstakes, Attention: Carmen Lopez, 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688. This notification system may be used to prohibit mailing of all skill contests or sweepstakes by nationalgeographic.com to such individual.