10 finalists will be chosen.
As a finalist you will receive a free VAIO® FW Graphic Splash computer with your design on the front.
As one of the top three winners you’ll also receive:
Your design sold on sonystyle.com and a trip for two to NYC to attend the Press Event announcing the winners of the VAIO My Graphic Splash Design Contest.
Trip includes: Coach airfare, accommodations, ground transportation to and from the airport and event, plus $500 spending cash
The Grand Prize winner will also receive $5,000.
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
My Graphic Splash PC Design Contest (the "Contest") starts on July 16, 2008, at 9:00 AM Central Time and ends on August 10, 2008, at 6:00 PM CT ("Contest Period").
ELIGIBILITY:
Contest is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 or older. Employees of Sony Electronics Inc. ("Sponsor"), PowerPact, LLC, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and web site providers/web masters, and members of their immediate family (spouse and parent, children and siblings and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and persons living in the same household, whether or not related, of such employees, are not eligible to enter or win. Void where prohibited by law. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.
HOW TO ENTER:
During the Contest Period, to enter the Contest, visit www.sony.com/mygraphicsplash and follow the directions provided to register. Registration is free. Once you register, follow the links and directions provided to design your own notebook lid cover using the tools provided and complete the entry form (collectively, the "Entry"); then, upload your notebook lid cover design, and submit. You will also be asked to upload a photograph of yourself and answer a few short questions. Your photo and answers will be used to create a profile for you on the website (optional); your profile will not be included in judging and will not impact your chances of winning. All online Entries must be received by August 10, 2008, at 6:00 PM CT to be considered. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means are void. There is a limit of three (3) Entries per person, per email address and per household. Entries received from any person or email address or household in excess of the stated limitation will be void. All Entries become the sole property of the Sponsor and will not be returned.
REQUIREMENTS OF ENTRIES:
Entry may not contain, as determined by the Sponsor, in its sole discretion, any content that:
- is sexually explicit or suggestive; unnecessarily violent or derogatory of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, professional or age group; profane or pornographic; contains nudity;
- promotes alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or the use of any of the foregoing); promotes any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous; promotes any particular political agenda or message;
- is obscene or offensive; endorses any form of hate or hate group;
- appears to duplicate any other submitted Entries;
- defames, misrepresents or contains disparaging remarks about other people or companies;
- contains trademarks, logos or trade dress (such as distinctive packaging or building exteriors/interiors) owned by others, without permission; contains any personal identification, such as license plate numbers, personal names, e-mail addresses or street addresses;
- contains copyrighted materials owned by others (including photographs, sculptures, paintings and other works of art, or images published on or in websites, television, movies or other media), without permission;
- contains materials embodying the names, likenesses, voices or other indicia identifying any person, including, without limitation, celebrities and/or other public or private figures, living or dead, without permission;
- contains look-alikes of celebrities or other public or private figures, living or dead;
- communicates messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or good will to which we wish to associate; and/or
- violates any law.
Entry must be the original work of the entrant, may not have been previously published, may not have won previous awards, and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity. If the Entry contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant, and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the Entry, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the use and exhibition of the Entry by Sponsor in the manner set forth in these Official Rules, including, without limitation, name and likeness permissions from any person who appears in or is identifiable in the Entry. Sponsor reserves the right to request proof of these permissions in a form acceptable to Sponsor from any entrant at any time. Failure to provide such proof may, if requested, render Entry null and void. By submitting an Entry, entrant warrants and represents that he/she and any persons appearing or who are identifiable in the Entry consent to the submission and use of the Entry in the Contest and to its use as otherwise set forth herein.
By submitting your Entry, you agree that your Entry conforms to these Official Rules and that Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may disqualify and/or take down your Entry for any reason, including if it determines, in its sole discretion, that your Entry fails to conform to these Official Rules in any way or otherwise contains unacceptable content as determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion. By submitting an Entry, entrant hereby grants permission for the Entry to be posted on www.sony.com/mygraphicsplash for viewing and downloading by visitors as wallpaper. You also agree that Sponsor shall be the owner of the Entry, per the OWNERSHIP/USE OF ENTRIES section below. Entrant agrees that Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for any unauthorized use of Entries by third parties. Released Parties do not guarantee the posting of any Entry. Entrants agree that they will not use the Entry for any other purpose, including, without limitation, posting the Entry to any online social networks, without the express consent of Sponsor in each instance.
By submitting an Entry, you acknowledge and agree that Sponsor may obtain many Entries under this Contest and that such Entries may be similar or identical in theme, idea, format or other respects to others submitted under this Contest and/or other promotions staged and/or sponsored by the Sponsor, and waive any and all claims you may have had, may have, and/or may have in the future, that any similar Entry and/or other works accepted, reviewed and/or used by the Sponsor (or its designees) may be similar to your Entry.
JUDGING:
Judging Phase: All Entries will be judged to select ten (10) Finalists by a panel of qualified judges that consists of Lauren Conrad, Maya Hayuk and a third judge, of Sponsor's choosing based on the following criteria: originality (25%), visual appeal (25%), effectively captures the innovation of the Sony brand (25%) and overall flare and creativity (25%) (the "Judging Criteria"). Actual judges are subject to change. In the event of a tie, an additional, "tie-breaking" judge selected by Sponsor will determine the Finalist(s) based on the Judging Criteria. Sponsor reserves the right to advance fewer ten (10) Finalists to the Voting Phase if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Entries.
FINALIST NOTIFICATION:
Potential Finalists will be notified by telephone, mail and/or email and may be required to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release (unless prohibited by law), which must be returned within two (2) days of date appearing on prize notification. Return of prize or prize notification as undeliverable, failure to sign and return requested documentation within the specified time period, the inability of Sponsor to contact a potential Finalist within a reasonable time period or noncompliance with these Official Rules by any potential Finalist will result in disqualification and, at Sponsor's sole discretion, the prize may be awarded to a runner-up. If any potential Finalist is an eligible minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on Finalists set forth herein.
Voting Phase:
The Finalist Entries will be featured at www.sony.com/mygraphicsplash between 9:00 AM CT on August 17, 2008, and 6:00 PM CT on August 25, 2008 ("Voting Period"). During the Voting Period, individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age will be invited to register on the site and select their favorite Finalist Entry based on the online judging criteria provided. Limit one (1) vote per person and per email address per day during the Voting Period. Votes received from any person or email address on any day in excess of the stated limitation will be void. Entrants are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules, the three (3) Finalist Entries that receive the highest number of valid votes, as determined by Sponsor, will be deemed the "Grand Prize winners." In the event of a tie, a "tie-breaking" judge selected by Sponsor will determine the Grand Prize winner(s) based on the Judging Criteria. Use of script, macro or any automated system to vote or with the intent to impair the integrity of the voting process is prohibited and all such votes will be void. Sponsor reserves the right to award fewer than three (3) Grand Prizes if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Entries. Prize awards are subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules.
WINNER NOTIFICATION:
Judges and Sponsor's decisions are final and binding on all matters relating to this Contest. Potential winners will be notified by telephone, mail and/or email and may be required to execute additional documentation required by Sponsor, which must be returned within two (2) days of date appearing on prize notification. Return of notification as undeliverable, failure to sign and return requested documentation within the specified time period, the inability of Sponsor to contact a potential winner within a reasonable time period or noncompliance with these Official Rules by any potential winner will result in disqualification and, at Sponsor's sole discretion, the prize may be awarded to a runner-up. If any potential winner is an eligible minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winners set forth herein.
Prizes:
Finalist Prize (10): A Sony VAIO notebook (model to be determined by Sponsor) with the graphic splash design of the applicable Finalist produced onto the notebook. Design manufactured may vary in some respects from actual Finalist design. Approximate Retail Value ("ARV"): $1,200 each. The 10 finalist designs will be showcased at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, on or around August 28, 2008,; details to be determined by Sponsor.
Grand Prize (3): A trip for winner and a guest to New York, New York, on dates to be determined by Sponsor. Trip consists of roundtrip, coach class air transportation from a major U.S. gateway airport nearest winner's residence to designated location, three (3) days and two (2) nights standard hotel accommodations (one (1) room, double occupancy), $5,000 for the winner only (awarded as a check) and the opportunity to participate in an invitation only press party along with the judges to announce his/her design publicly. The winning designs may also be produced as VAIO Graphic Splash notebook and made available for sale. Design manufactured may vary in some respects from actual Finalist design. Nature of reproduction and distribution, quantities, channels and methods will be at Sponsor's sole discretion. Winner will receive no additional compensation or royalty and no approval will be required with respect to the design and distribution of the design on the notebook. Sponsor does not guarantee the reproduction of the design on the notebook and if, at Sponsor's discretion, it does not reproduce design, winner will receive remainder of his/her prize as full prize. If a winner resides within a 100-mile radius of destination, ground transportation will be provided in lieu of air transportation and no compensation or substitution will be provided in lieu thereof. Approximate Retail Value ("ARV"): $7,700 each. Actual value of may vary based on point of departure. Any difference between stated value and actual value will not be awarded. Trip must be taken on dates specified by Sponsor or prize will be forfeited and Sponsor will have no further obligation to such winner. Sponsor reserves right to change dates. Each winner and his/her guest must travel together on the same itinerary. Guest must be of legal age of majority in his/her jurisdiction of residence (and at least 18), unless the child or legal ward of winner and must sign a liability/publicity release prior to issuance of travel documents. If guest is child or legal ward of winner, winner must sign and return release on behalf of such child or legal ward. Travel must be made through Sponsor's agent, on a carrier of Sponsor's choice. Certain travel restrictions may apply. Winners and guests must comply with all venue and press release rules and regulations. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of such portion of prize. In the event Sponsor is unable to provide the opportunity to participate in a press release, no compensation or substitution will be provided in lieu thereof; however, remainder of prize package will be awarded and Sponsor will have no further obligation to winner. All federal, state and local taxes and all other costs associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided, including transportation, meals, gratuities and souvenirs are the sole responsibility of the winners.
GENERAL PRIZE CONDITIONS:
Total ARV of all prizes: $35,100. Prizes are awarded "as is" with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by Sponsor. Winners may not substitute, assign or transfer prize or redeem prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided. All prize details are at Sponsor's sole discretion.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
By participating, each entrant agrees: (a) to abide by these Official Rules and decisions of Sponsor and judges, which shall be final and binding in all respects relating to this Contest; (b) to release, discharge and hold harmless Sponsor, PowerPact, LLC, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, sales representatives, distributors, participating retail outlets, advertising and promotion agencies, and web site providers/web masters, (collectively, "Released Parties") from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind to persons, including death, or property resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from entrant's participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity or the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any awarded prize (including any travel/activity related thereto); and (c) to the use of his/her name, voice, performance, photograph/video, image and/or likeness for programming, advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in any and all media, now or hereafter known, worldwide and on the Internet, and in perpetuity by Sponsor and its designees, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) or additional consents from entrant or any third party and without prior notice, approval or inspection, and to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so.
OWNERSHIP/USE OF ENTRIES:
Entrant hereby acknowledges that Entry (including design) and all other materials of every kind whatsoever created by entrant relating to the Contest (collectively, the "Work") are a "work made for hire" (as that term is used in the United States Copyright Act) for Sponsor, and Sponsor is the sole and exclusive owner, in perpetuity and throughout the universe, of all right, title and interest in and to the Work, including without limitation all copyrights in and to the Work (and all renewals and extensions thereof now or hereafter provided by law) and all the rights therein and thereto, and may exploit the Work (and all rights therein) in any manner throughout the world without restriction. Without limiting the binding effect of any of the foregoing provisions, in the event that any part of the Work is not deemed to be a "work made for hire" for Sponsor, then entrant hereby irrevocably and exclusively grants and assigns to Sponsor (or, if any applicable law prohibits or restricts such assignment, entrant hereby grants to Sponsor an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free, transferable license of) unlimited right, title and interest in and to such Work, including, without limitation, all rights of every kind and nature (whether now known or hereafter devised, including all copyrights therein and thereto and all renewals and extensions thereof), throughout the universe, in perpetuity, for all purposes, in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter devised.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, delayed, misdirected, undelivered or garbled Entries or votes; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing or judging of Entries, the tabulation of votes, the announcement of the prizes, the incorrect uploading of the design or in any Contest-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to any person's computer related to or resulting from participating in this Contest or downloading materials from or use of the website. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Contest or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated Entries will be void. Should any portion of the Contest be, in Sponsor's sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of Entries, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Contest and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential winner from all eligible, non-suspect Entries received prior to action taken using the judging procedure outlined above. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
Request for Winners' List: For a list of the Grand Prize winners (available after September 15, 2008), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope by September 25, 2008, to: Sony VAIO My Graphic Splash PC Design Contest Winners, P.O. Box 162, Midlothian, VA 23113.
Sponsor: Sony Electronics Inc., 16530 Via Esprillo, San Diego, CA 92127.