Microsoft Learn Cloud Skills Challenge

Microsoft Learn Cloud Skills Challenge: Microsoft Ignite 2023 Sweepstakes

Official Rules

1. Sponsor

   These Official Rules (“Rules”) govern the operation of the Microsoft Learn Cloud Skills Challenge: Microsoft Ignite 2023 Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”). Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA, 98052, USA, is the Sweepstakes sponsor (“Sponsor”).

2. Definitions

   In these Rules, "Microsoft", "we", "our", and "us" refer to Sponsor and “you” and "yourself" refers to a Sweepstakes participant, or the parent/legal guardian of any Sweepstakes entrant who has not reached the age of majority to contractually obligate themselves in their legal place of residence. By entering you (your parent/legal guardian if you are not the age of majority in your legal place of residence) agree to be bound by these Rules.

3. Entry period

   The Sweepstakes starts at 9am Pacific Time (PT) on November 15, 2023, and ends at 8:59 am PT on January 15, 2024 (“Entry Period”).

4. Eligibility

   This is a trade Sweepstakes open only to developers and IT professionals with a valid Microsoft Learn profile.

   Employees and directors of Microsoft Corporation and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising agencies, and Sweepstakes Parties are not eligible, nor are persons involved in the execution or administration of this promotion, or the family members of each above (parents, children, siblings, spouse/domestic partners, or individuals residing in the same household). Void in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Region of Crimea, Russia, and where prohibited.

   If you are participating in your capacity as an employee, it is your sole responsibility to comply with your employer’s gift policies. Microsoft will not be party to any disputes or actions related to this matter. Microsoft is committed to complying with government gift and ethics rules and therefore government and public sector employees are not eligible to enter.

5. How to enter

   No Purchase Necessary.

   You will receive one entry by visiting the web site for the Sweepstakes at https://aka.ms/ignitecsc and completing one (1) of the twelve (12) available Microsoft Learn Cloud Skills Challenges.

   You will receive one (1) entry for each Microsoft Learn Cloud Skills Challenge you complete. There is a limit of twelve (12) entries per person – one per completed challenge.

   Any attempt by you to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different accounts, identities, registrations, logins, or any other methods will void your entries and you may be disqualified. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited.

   We are not responsible for excess, lost, late, or incomplete entries. If disputed, entries will be deemed submitted by the “authorized account holder” of the email address, social media account, or other method used to enter. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned to an email address by an internet or online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses.

6. Winner selection and notification

   Pending confirmation of eligibility, potential prize winners will be selected by Microsoft or their Agent in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received within 7 days following the Entry Period.

   Winners will be notified via the contact information provided during entry no more than 7 days following the drawing with prize claim instructions, including submission deadlines. If a selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim a prize or fails to return any Forms, the selected winner will forfeit their prize and an alternate winner will be selected time allowing. If you are a potential winner and you are 18 or older but have not reached the age of majority in your place of legal residence, we may require your parent/legal guardian to sign all required forms on your behalf. Only three alternate winners will be selected, after which unclaimed prizes will remain unawarded.

7. Prizes

   The following prizes will be awarded:

   Badge of Achievement: All participants will be eligible to receive a Microsoft Learn Cloud Skills Challenge badge upon completion of their first challenge.

   Five (5) Grand Prizes. A Prize Package consisting of the following items:

   ◦A free event pass for either in person Microsoft Build 2024 or Microsoft Ignite 2024 (winners may select one). Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $1,895.00.

   ◦Winner featured by Microsoft Learn to showcase their story, aspirations and professional profile.

   The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of this Package is $1,895.00

   The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of all prizes combined is $9,475.00

   Grand prize includes event pass admission only and any expenses not described above are the responsibility of the traveler(s) including but not limited to airfare, hotel, taxes, ground transportation, gratuities, and room charges.

   We will only award one (1) prize per person/company during the Entry Period. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. No substitution, transfer, or assignment of prize permitted, except that Microsoft reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event the offered prize is unavailable. Except for applicable manufacturer’s limited warranties and any rights you may have under your local laws, prizes are awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied (including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose); you assume the entire risk of quality and performance, and should the prizes prove defective, you assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing or repair. Microsoft’s limited warranty terms can be found at https://support.microsoft.com/warranty, and specifically the U.S. warranty is here. Prizes will be sent no later than 28 days after winner selection. Prize winners may be required to complete and return prize claim and / or tax forms (“Forms”) within the deadline stated in the winner notification. Taxes on the prize, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner, who is advised to seek independent counsel regarding the tax implications of accepting a prize. By accepting a prize, you agree that Microsoft may use your entry, name, image and hometown online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Sweepstakes without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

8. Odds

   The odds of winning are based on the number of eligible entries received.

9. General conditions and release of liability

   To the extent allowed by law, by entering you agree to release and hold harmless Microsoft and its respective parents, partners, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss, or damage of any kind arising in connection with this Sweepstakes or any prize won.

   All local laws apply. The decisions of Microsoft are final and binding.

   We reserve the right to cancel, change, or suspend this Sweepstakes for any reason, including cheating, technology failure, catastrophe, war, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that affects the integrity of this Sweepstakes, whether human or mechanical. If the integrity of the Sweepstakes cannot be restored, we may select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Sweepstakes.

   If you attempt or we have strong reason to believe that you have compromised the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, creating a bot or other automated program, or by committing fraud in any way, we may seek damages from you to the full extent of the law and you may be banned from participation in future Microsoft promotions. 

10. Use of your entry

    Personal data you provide while entering this Sweepstakes will be used by Microsoft and/or its agents and prize fulfillers acting on Microsoft’s behalf only for the administration and operation of this Sweepstakes and in accordance with the Microsoft Privacy Statement.

11. Governing law

    This Sweepstakes 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 Sweepstakes.

12. Winners list

    Send an email to challengesupport@microsoft.com with the subject line “Microsoft Learn Cloud Skills Challenge: Microsoft Ignite 2023 Sweepstakes” within 30 days of January 15, 2024 to receive a list of winners.