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Terms & Conditions

Please Note: The dates in these Official Rules and in the Contest Details are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of the Organiser. Therefore competitors must have a flexible schedule. Registration closing dates and other category-specific deadlines vary by invitational. Please review the Contest Details for each one before signing up.

These Terms and Conditions govern only the Australian stage of the Imagine Cup 2009 Software Design Challenge invitational, and the prize for that stage ('Australian Software Design Challenge'). Information on how to enter and prizes form part of these Terms and Conditions.

Promoter

  1. The promoter of the Australian Software Design Challenge is Microsoft Pty Limited, 1 Epping Road, North Ryde, Sydney, New South Wales 2113, Australia ("Promoter").

    The Challenge

  2. The dates in these Conditions and in the contest details are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of the Promoter. Entrants therefore must have a flexible schedule.

    These Conditions govern only the Australian stage of the Challenge. Entrants who proceed to further stages of the Challenge will be subject to new terms and conditions which will be notified to them prior to proceeding to the applicable stage. Information on how to enter and prizes form part of these Conditions. By participating in the Challenge, entrants agree to be bound by these Conditions.

    Eligibility

  3. The Challenge is open only to teams of 1 to 4 (inclusive) full or part time undergraduate or post graduate students over the age of 16 years of age who are residents of Australia and who are or have been enrolled in a course of study at any university or accredited higher education establishment in Australia ("University") at any time between August 1, 2008 and May 10, 2009, and who have registered their details in accordance with these Conditions at www.microsoft.com.au/imaginecup ("Challenge Website") by 23.59 (Sydney time), 27th of May 2009 ('Eligible Team/s'). Students forming a team are not required to be from the same University.
  4. Each Eligible Team entering the Challenge may, but is not required to, have one Team Mentor. The Team Mentor must be over the age of 18 years and must either be an academic mentor, sourced from the University the Eligible Team attends, or an industry mentor, which can be provided by the Promoter or can be sourced by the team.
  5. Directors, officers and employees of the Promoter or its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising or promotional agencies are not eligible to enter the Challenge nor are members of such persons' families (defined as parents, children, siblings, spouse and life partners). Microsoft Student Partners are eligible to enter.

    How to Enter

  6. All Eligible Teams must:

    • Register their name, address, date of birth, University name and contact details at www.microsoft.com.au/imaginecup by 23.59 (Sydney time), 27th of March 2009 (Round1);
    • Round 1 the following details must be submitted by each team:
      • One page summary of project
      • Visual representation of system architecture
    • Round 2 (Final Submission):Each team must submit all of the following details by 23.59pm (Sydney Time), 10 May 2009:
      • One page executive summary
      • Application executables and readme files
      • Project specification, no more than 5 pages
      • Visual representation of system architecture (Collectively, the 'Entry')

        The Entry must address the competition theme "Solve the world's toughest problems" and be received by the Promoter no later than 23.59pm (Sydney Time), 10th May, 2009 ('Closing Date').

        Each complete Entry must be uploaded to the Imagine Cup worldwide website (www.microsoft.com/au/imaginecup) no later than 23:59 (Sydney time) on 10th May 2009 OR sent by post to Karo Esmaili, 1 Epping Rd, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2113 and received no later than 23:59 (Sydney time) on 10th May 2009.
  7. Only one Entry per Eligible Team can be submitted. Entries will not be returned. Incomplete, forged, corrupted, stolen, mutilated, tampered with or illegible Entries will be deemed void.
  8. The Promoter reserves the right to verify the validity and originality of Entries and to disqualify any entrant whom the Promoter believes has either tampered with the Entry process or has submitted an Entry that is not in accordance with these Conditions.
  9. All costs associated with entering the Challenge including the Australian Final and World Final, accessing the Challenge Website and submitting their Entry are the responsibility of each Eligible Team. Any contact details entered incorrectly on the Challenge Website shall deem any Entry invalid.

    Timing

  10. The Challenge runs from August 1, 2008 until 10 May, 2009.

    Round 1 is due by 23.59 (Sydney time) on 27th March, 2009. For round 1, All teams must submit Screenshots of Progress and visual representation of system architecture.

    Round 2 is due by 23.59 (Sydney time) on 10th May, 2009. For round 2, All teams must submit their final project.

    Use of Data

  11. All Entries and the information and data included in them will be collected and used for the purposes of conducting the Challenge (which may include disclosure to third parties for the purpose of processing and conducting the promotion) and for publicity purposes surrounding this promotion. By entering the Challenge entrants consent to the use of their information as described. Entrants may access and/or change their personal data by following the procedures in the Promoter's privacy policy which is available at www.microsoft.com/australia/privacy. The Promoter will only use an entrant's personal details for marketing purposes outside those described above if the entrant's "opt in" to join the mailing list when prompted.

    Section of Winners

  12. All Entries from Eligible Teams received by the Closing Date will be reviewed by a panel of Microsoft technical and business matter experts whose decision is final. This is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winners. Each Entry will be individually judged based on technical and creative merit and best use of the competition theme.
  13. The 5 Eligible Teams selected as having the best Entries ('Selected Teams') will be notified by the Promoter by phone on May 15th 2009 and details of the winners will be posted to the Challenge Website.
  14. The 5 Selected Teams will be invited to attend and compete against each other at the Australian Software Design Final ("Australian Final") to be held in Sydney (location to be determined at a later date) which will take place at approximately the end of May 2009.
  15. The Selected Teams will compete against each other by exhibiting and demonstrating their applications and ideas associated with their Entries in an open forum environment to the judging panel. The Promoter will arrange and pay for return economy airfares for the Selected Teams and their respective Team Mentor (from their nearest capital city) to Sydney for the Australian Final. All meals, beverages, extra activities, spending money, and all other ancillary costs not expressly provided are the responsibility of the members of the Selected Teams. In the event that for any reason whatsoever any member in a Selected Team does not participate in an element of the Australian Final at the time stipulated by the Promoter then that element will be forfeited by that person and cash will not be awarded in lieu of participation in that element of the Australian Final.

    Australian Final

  16. The winner and each of the second place, third place, fourth place and fifth place getters at the Australian Final will be determined and announced at the completion of the Australian Final.

    Prizes

  17. First Prize: The winning team (1) of the Australian Final ("Winning Team") will qualify to participate in the international final of the Imagine Cup 2009 Software Design invitational which will be held in Cairo, Egypt ("World Final"). The World Final will be subject to separate terms and conditions which can be found at: www.imaginecup.com. Each team member of the Winning Team will receive one (1) return economy scheduled airfare (including taxes) from an Australian airport (located at the Winners' nearest capital city) to Cairo, Egypt, return transfers from their home to the airport in Australia and from the airport to their accommodation in Cairo, share hotel accommodation for 7 nights on a room only basis and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the venue for the World Final ("Prize").All extra meals, beverages, extra activities, spending money, and all other ancillary costs (including travel insurance) not expressly provided, as well as the cost of obtaining any of these, are the responsibility of the members of the Winners. The Winning Team will also qualify for offer of a 3 month work placement at Readify, subject to eligibility criteria set out by Readify.

    2nd Place Prize: An Xbox 360™ Gaming Pack valued at AU$649.95 RRP for each Team member, 2 copies of a Xbox 360™ game (Game title TBA), the opportunity of a 3 month work placement with Readify Pty Limited (Readify) for each team member (subject to eligibility criteria determined by Readify) and a trip to the World Final.

    3rd Place Prize: Each member of the team will receive an Xbox 360™ Gaming Pack valued at AU$649.95 RRP, 2 copies of a Xbox 360™ game (Game title TBA), Copy of Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate operating system (valued at AU$749 RRP) and a copy of Microsoft® Windows® Office Ultimate (valued at AU$1173 RRP).

    4th Place Prize: Each member of the team will receive an HTC Touch Windows Mobile device valued at $700, 2 copies of a Xbox 360™ games RRP $198 (Game titles TBA), Copy of Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate operating system (valued at AU$549 RRP) and a copy of Microsoft® Windows® Office Ultimate (valued at AU$499 RRP).

    5th Place Prizes:     Each member of these teams will receive a copy of Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate operating system (valued at AU$749 RRP), a copy of Microsoft® Windows® Office Ultimate (valued at AU$1173 RRP), 2 copies of a Xbox 360™ game (Game title TBA)
  18. In the event that for any reason whatsoever any member in the Selected Team does not take an element of the Prize won by that member's Selected Team at the time stipulated by the Promoter then that element of the Prize will be forfeited by that person and cash will not be awarded in lieu of that element of the Prize.
  19. The Promoter makes no promises, representations or warranties to individual members of the Winning Team that such members do or will meet the job placement eligibility requirements set by Readify. The offer of a job placement will be at the absolute discretion of Readify. Readify may, in its absolute discretion, determine that no offer will be made to any person. The work conditions, dates and rates of pay for the job placements with Readify will be determined by Readify after consultation with each of the individual members of the Winning Team. The Promoter has no involvement in or responsibility for any matter associated with or arising from the award or acceptance of work placement prizes to or by a member of the Winning Team.

    World Final

  20. Each member of the Winning Team will be responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary Visas and Passports and any other documentation required for entry into Egypt. Full details of timings and the accommodation will be provided to the Winning Team before 1 June 2009. Prize is subject to flight and booking availability from the Winning Team's nearest capital city airport. Before the Prize is awarded, the Winning Team may be required to sign a form to release the Promoter (and its affiliates) from and indemnify the Promoter (and its affiliates) against, any and all liability arising from the use or participation in the Prize.
  21. The Promoter will provide details of Winning Team to Microsoft Corporation and the Winning Team will be contacted by Microsoft Corporation to confirm their participation in the World Final. The Promoter will arrange and confirm their travel arrangements for individual members of the Winning Team. The World Final and participation in the World Final are subject to Microsoft Corporation's terms and conditions for the World Final which are available, together with more information, at www.imaginecup.com. The Prize is as stated and non transferable. No cash or other alternatives available.

    Winners List

  22. Each member of the Winning Team consents to their surnames and country of residence being made publicly available. Their surnames and country of residence will be available for a period of 3 months after the closing date or by emailing ausic@microsoft.com.
  23. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the Challenge, the Australian Final or World Final or these Conditions. In the unlikely event of a dispute, the judging panel's decision shall be final.
  24. If the Promoter is unable to supply the nominated prize, the Promoter reserves the right to supply another prize of equal value. Prize values are the recommended retail value (including GST) in Australia in AUD and are correct at time of printing. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any variation in prize value. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any tax implications that may arise for individual members of the Selected Teams from the award or acceptance by them of the Prize. Independent financial advice should be sought.
  25. Prizes are not transferable, exchangeable or redeemable for cash.
  26. The Promoter reserves the right to amend, modify, cancel or withdraw the Challenge at any time without notice.
  27. Participants in the Challenge, the Australian Final or World Final accept that, except in respect of death or personal injury resulting from its negligence, the Promoter (and its affiliates) will have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, costs, damage or disappointment of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly from participation in the Challenge, the Australian Final or World Final.
  28. The Promoter assumes no responsibility for, and the entrant releases the Promoter from responsibility for, any failure to receive an entry or for inaccurate information or for any loss, claim, damage or injury to person or property (including computer systems and servers) as a result of the entrant's participation in the Challenge, Australian Final or World Final or the conduct of the Challenge, Australian Final or World Final generally or as a direct or indirect result of an entrant's error, any technical problem of any kind including communications or network failure, unauthorised access to, transferring or theft of data, whether caused by the entrant or associated with the equipment or programming used in the conduct of the Challenge. If, because of any such problem, the Challenge is not able to be conducted as planned and/or the Challenges administration, security, fairness or integrity are compromised or affected, the Promoter may cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the promotion and/or disqualify any entrant involved in interfering or tampering with the conduct of this promotion in any way.
  29. The Prize and the component parts of the Prize are subject to their own providers' terms and conditions. The Promoter cannot guarantee the performance of any third party (including but not limited to Microsoft Corporation) and shall not be liable for any act or default of any third party. The Promoter accepts no responsibility or liability for third party provider, or for any events beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, natural disasters, war, terrorist attacks and civil unrest. The Challenge and these Conditions are governed by Australian law.

    If you have any questions relating to the terms and conditions listed above for the Australian Software Design Competition please email the Australian Imagine Cup Team ausic@microsoft.com.

    For all other Imagine Cup category terms and conditions, please refer to the global Imagine Cup website www.imaginecup.com
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