(the “Sweepstakes”)
No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Void in Puerto Rico and elsewhere outside of the United States and where prohibited or restricted by law. If you are considered a minor in the state in which you reside (“Minor”) you must have your parent or legal guardian’s (“Parent”) permission prior to participation. Winner and his/her guests must possess valid United States travel documents.
SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD/ENTRY DEADLINE: The Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) on 8/1/09 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 12/31/09 (“Sweepstakes Period”).
ELIGIBILITY: To enter the Sweepstakes you must be a legal resident of one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia at the time of entry (“Participant”). If you are a Minor, you must have your Parent’s permission prior to participation. Standard online rates apply. Sweepstakes is void in Puerto Rico and elsewhere outside of the United States and where prohibited or restricted by law. MTV Networks, Saputo Cheese USA Inc. (collectively “Sponsor”), National Sweepstakes Company (“NSC”) and all of their employees, licensors and prize providers connected with this Sweepstakes, and all of their respective affiliated, parent, and subsidiary companies, and the advertising, production and promotion agencies (collectively “Sweepstakes Entities”), and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, and members of their immediate families (parents, children, siblings, spouses, regardless of where they reside) and members of their households (whether related or not) are ineligible to participate in this Sweepstakes. Sponsor and NSC shall be referred to herein as “Sponsor Parties”. Eligibility will be determined by Sponsor Parties in their sole discretion.
HOW TO ENTER: Visit www.spongebobanimationcelebration.com (the “Sweepstakes Site”) and complete an official registration form (the “Entry”). Children under the age of 13 (a “Child”) must provide an email address for themselves as well as a separate email address for their Parent (to whom the Opt Out notice described below will be sent). In the event that the same email address supplied is used for both the Parent and the Child, the entry will be disqualified. Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by Participant’s on-line service will apply. Completed Entry must be submitted in accordance with the online directions during the Sweepstakes Period. Incomplete Entries will be disqualified. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on 12/31/09. All Entries submitted become the sole property of Sponsor Parties and will not be acknowledged or returned. Entries limited to one (1) entry per calendar day per person/email address. The Sweepstakes Site’s database clock will be the official timekeeper for this Sweepstakes. The use of any automated devices in connection with this Sweepstakes is prohibited.
OPT OUT: The Parent of each Participant who is a Child will be sent an initial e-mail notification at the email address for the Parent as provided by the Participant on the Entry. Such notice shall advise the Parent that his/her Child has registered at the Website for entry into the Sweepstakes, and shall provide the option to withdraw the Entry. If the Parent does not withdraw the Child's registration and Entry within the period indicated on the notification, the Entry will be approved.
DRAWING AND NOTIFICATION: Potential
prize winners (each a “Potential Prize Winner”) will be selected by NSC by
conducting a random drawing on or about 1/04/10. Odds of winning a prize
depends on the total number of eligible Entries received during the Sweepstakes
Period. Potential Prize Winner will be notified by email one time only on or
about 1/07/10. If the Potential Prize Winner does not respond (as directed in
the winner notification email) within three (3) days from the first notification
attempt, then such person and Entry will be disqualified and another Potential
Prize Winner will be selected from the remaining eligible Entries received.
PRIZING: Grand Prize (1): One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive a 3 day / 2 consecutive night trip for Grand Prize Winner and up to three (3) guests (“Guests”) to Los Angeles, CA (the “Trip Package”). Trip Package consists of: (i) Round-trip coach air transportation to Los Angeles, CA for the Grand Prize Winner and his/her Guests from the major U.S. airport nearest to Grand Prize Winner’s home (as determined by Sponsor Parties in their sole discretion), (ii) two consecutive nights standard hotel accommodations of Sponsor Parties’ choice (single room), (iii) VIP tour of Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, CA, including receipt of a piece of original SpongeBob SquarePants artwork autographed by Stephen Hillenburg, and attending a voice over recording and animation session of SpongeBob SquarePants (subject to scheduling and availability), (vi) one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) spending money for Grand Prize Winner only. Grand Prize Winner (if a Minor) and any Guest who is considered a minor in the state in which he/she resides must be accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian. Travel restrictions, conditions and limitations may apply. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of the Trip Package: $4,000.00. Actual value may vary based on airfare fluctuations and distance between departure and destination.
Total ARV for all Sweepstakes Prizing: $4,000.00.
If Grand Prize Winner resides within a sixty (60) mile radius of Los Angeles, CA (a “local resident”), in lieu of the round trip coach air transportation portion of the Trip Package, Grand Prize Winner will receive round-trip limousine transportation of Sponsor Parties’ choice for Grand Prize Winner and his/her Guests from Grand Prize Winner’s residence to the hotel. No compensation will be awarded in lieu of the difference in the ARV for the Grand Prize for a local resident and the ARV for the Grand Prize for a Winner who is not a local resident.
GENERAL PRIZE CONDITIONS/RESTRICTIONS:
Grand Prize Winner (and his/her Parent if Grand Prize Winner is a Minor) and any and all Guests (and such Guest’s Parent if Guest is a Minor) must sign any and all travel documents required by Sponsor Parties and present valid travel documents and travel on the same itinerary. Exact travel times and arrangements are subject to availability and blackout periods. The Sweepstakes Entities are not responsible for any cancellations, delays, diversions or substitutions, or any act or omission whatsoever with respect to the Trip Package. Except as indicated in the Trip Package, all meals, taxes, gratuities, incidentals (including mini-bar), phone charges, and other expenses not specifically identified in these Official Rules are solely the responsibility of the Grand Prize Winner and Guests. Grand Prize Winner and Guests must comply with all hotel check-in requirements, including but not limited to the presentation of a major credit card.
Sweepstakes Entities are not responsible for any mechanical difficulties or failure connected with the Prizing, or any act or omission whatsoever. No transfer, substitution, or cash equivalent for the Prizes is allowed except at Sponsor Parties’ sole discretion. Sponsor Parties reserve the right in their sole and absolute discretion, to substitute a prize or prize component with a prize of equal or greater value if a prize component cannot be awarded as described for any reason. Trip Package is non-transferable and may not be given, bartered, substituted, sold, or exchanged for cash or another prize. Unused components of the Trip Package have no redeemable cash value. All airline tickets issued in connection with the Trip Package are not eligible for frequent flyer miles. Airline tickets cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or offer.
In the event that a Potential Prize Winner chooses not to accept his/her prize, or is unable to be notified, an alternate Potential Prize Winner will be randomly selected from all of the remaining entries. If the Grand Prize Winner elects to travel or partake in the Trip Package with less than three (3) guests, no additional compensation will be awarded. Air transportation and hotel accommodations must be taken together and cannot be taken separately. No changes will be made to travel details once any element(s) of the travel arrangements have been booked, except at Sponsor Parties’ sole discretion. All airline tickets issued in conjunction with Trip Package are not eligible for upgrades. Lost or stolen tickets, travel vouchers or certificates or similar items once they are in the Winner’s possession (or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s possession), or in the possession of the Winner’s travel companion, will not be replaced. Travel is subject to capacity controls, availability, blackout dates and certain other restrictions, all of which are subject to change. Travel must be roundtrip. No stopovers are permitted on tickets issued as the Trip Package. If a stopover occurs, the Trip Package will terminate and Grand Prize Winner and his/her guest(s) will be responsible for full fare which will be charged from the stopover point for the remaining trip segment(s), including the return. Airline and flight itinerary will be determined by Sponsor Parties in their sole discretion. Once hotel and flight arrangements have been confirmed, no changes will be allowed except by Sponsor Parties in their sole discretion. Any unclaimed and/or unused Trip Package or element thereof will be forfeited by and will remain the property of Sponsor Parties. No refund or compensation will be made in the event of the cancellation or delay of any flight. Travel is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in these Official Rules and those set forth by Sponsor Parties’ air travel prize supplier, as detailed in the passenger ticket contract issued by such supplier. Only one prize will be awarded per person.
SWEEPSTAKES CONDITIONS: By submitting an Entry, each Participant and his/her Parent if Participant is a Minor (whether declared an Official Winner or not) agrees (and agree to affirm such in writing) to (i) abide by and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor Parties on all matters relating to this promotion, (ii) waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Sweepstakes or these Official Rules, (iii) forever and irrevocably release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Sweepstakes Entities, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively the “Released Parties”) from any liability, claims, demands, and cause of action from personal injury, loss or damage, including death, or property damage, theft, or loss suffered or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or the use, misuse or acceptance or possession of the Prize or any portion thereof, or participation in any Sweepstakes-related activity; (iv) grant Sponsor Parties (where permitted by law) the right to use their name, address (city and state only), voice, photograph, likeness, statements, and biographical information on a worldwide basis, in all forms of media, in perpetuity and for advertising or promotional purposes without review or further compensation, and (v) warrant and represent that the use of the materials submitted in this Sweepstakes will not violate the rights of any third parties. Entries must be in keeping with Sweepstakes Entities’ positive image, as determined by Sweepstakes Entities in their sole discretion. Any materials containing obscenity, crude language, or descriptions of a violent or sexual nature (as defined solely by the Sponsor Parties) will not be accepted and the associated Entry will be disqualified. All federal, state or other tax liabilities (including income taxes) arising from any Prize contained in this Sweepstakes will be solely the responsibility of the Official Winner’s (or his/her Parent if Winner is a Minor). Receipt of any of the prize components of this Sweepstakes is conditioned upon compliance with any and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, and regulations. Noncompliance with any of the above will result in disqualification.
If for any reason the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other cause beyond the control of the Sponsor Parties which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor Parties reserve the right at their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Sweepstakes is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor Parties may, in their sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Sweepstakes to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) cancel the Sweepstakes and award the prize from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment.
In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a Participant, an Entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry. The “authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address.
QUALIFICATION OF WINNER: Before a Potential Prize Winner will be deemed an Official Prize Winner, he/she and his/her Parent (if Winner is a Minor) will be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release/Publicity Release (except where prohibited) (the “Affidavit/Release”) and any other legal documents that Sponsor Parties may require, including but not limited to a W-9 tax form, within three (3) business days from the date of Sponsor Parties sending such documents to the Potential Prize Winner or be subject to disqualification. If a Potential Prize Winner is a Minor, the Parent of the Potential Prize Winner must be able to provide proof that the Potential Prize Winner is eligible to be deemed the Official Winner to Sponsor Parties’ satisfaction. If the documents are not returned within the time frame specified, or Winner is found to be ineligible, or does not comply with the Official Rules, then he/she will be disqualified. A prize or prize notification being returned as undeliverable will result in disqualification of such Entry. All travelers must sign a travel/liability and publicity release prior to ticketing.
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY:
Released Parties are not responsible for any claims, damages, lawsuits, causes of action, proceedings, or liability due to any injuries, theft, damages, expenses, costs, or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind resulting from, arising from, or in connection with, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from a) acceptance, receipt, possession, attendance at, travel related to, defects in, misuse, inability to use, or use of any prize element contained in the Prizes or the Sweepstakes and any elements thereof, and the participation or inability to participate in any Sweepstakes-related activity or participation in this Sweepstakes, b) any malfunction of the entry website, c) any error in the collection or retention of entry information, or d) any typographical or other error in the printing, offering or announcement of any prize, e) any change in the prizing (or any components thereof) due to unavailability, business or creative considerations, or due to reasons beyond Sponsor Parties’ control, including but not limited to by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not such action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened or actual terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any other cause beyond any of the Sponsor Parties’ control, or as otherwise permitted in these Official Rules, f) any interruptions in or postponement, cancellation, or modification of the Sweepstakes, g) human error, h) incorrect or inaccurate transcription, receipt or transmission of any part of the Entry, f) interruption or inability to access the Sweepstakes, the Sweepstakes Site or any other Sweepstakes-related web pages, or any online service via the Internet due to hardware or software compatibility problems, k) any damage to entrant’s (or any third person’s) computer and/or its contents related to or resulting from any part of the Sweepstakes, l) any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any of the Sweepstakes Entities, or any of their agents or employees, m) lost, stolen, damaged, delayed, or misdirected baggage, n) lost, late, stolen, misdirected, damaged or destroyed prizing (or any element thereof) or o) the collection, use and/or sharing of entrant’s personally identifiable information by Sponsor Parties or its designees and the violation of any privacy, personal, publicity or proprietary rights. The winner hereby acknowledges that the Sweepstakes Entities have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any express or implied warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the prize or any component thereof. Winner and his/her Parent assumes all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by participating in this Sweepstakes or use or redemption of any prize. In the event a Potential Prize Winner or Winner is disqualified for any reason under the provisions of these Official Rules, such winner and all rights to any prize will be forfeited in its entirety. A random drawing will be conducted in order to select an alternate Potential Prize Winner, if time permits.
Released Parties are not responsible for (i) lost, late, stolen, misdirected, damaged, incomplete or garbled entries, (ii) any problems or technical malfunctions, human error, lost/delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any telephone network (TSP), computer online systems (ISP), servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of entrants on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the internet or at any website or any combination thereof, including injury or damage to participants or to any other person’s computer(s) related to or resulting from participating or downloading materials contained in this Sweepstakes, (iii) communication disruption or other forces beyond their reasonable control, including inability to access any website, submit an entry or other disruption related to internet traffic, virus, bug or any unauthorized intervention whether or not caused by any action(s), regulation(s), order(s), or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity(ies), equipment failure, including overloading of the Website due to excessive use, threatened terrorist act(s), terrorist act(s), air raid(s), blackout(s), act(s) of public enemy, earthquake(s), war(s) (declared or undeclared), fire(s), flood(s), epidemic(s), explosion(s), unusually severe weather, hurricane(s), embargo(s), labor dispute(s) or strike(s) (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage(s), transportation interruption(s) of any kind, work slow-down(s), civil disturbance(s), insurrection(s), riot(s), or any other similar or dissimilar cause(s) beyond Sponsor Parties’ sole and reasonable control, (iv) injury or damage to persons or property caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part from any entrant's participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any portion of the Prize or by computer virus or otherwise resulting to any computers from entrant’s access to the Sweepstakes website or entry into the Sweepstakes, or (v) printing or other errors appearing in the rules or other Sweepstakes materials.
Released Parties shall not be responsible for any cancellations, delays, diversions or substitutions or any act or omissions whatsoever by any performer(s)/event(s), air carrier(s), hotel(s), or other transportation companies or any other persons providing any of these services and accommodations to passengers including any results thereof such as changes in services or accommodations necessitated by same. The passenger contracts in use by the airlines or other transportation companies shall constitute the sole contracts with respect to the Winner's and his/her travel companion transportation and such contracts shall be solely between the Winner, his/her travel companion and such transportation companies. Sweepstakes Entities shall not be parties to such contracts and shall assume no responsibility in such connection. Released Parties shall not be liable for any loss or damage to baggage or the loss, theft or damage of cash, cameras, jewelry, securities, heirlooms, negotiable papers or other valuables.
If the Winner becomes disabled or cannot otherwise fully enjoy the Trip Package due to illness, Sponsor Parties shall have the option of: (1) being relieved of liability for fulfillment of the Prize award; or (2) at Sponsor Parties’ sole discretion extending the period during which such prize may be awarded for a period equal to the duration of the Winner's disability or illness, in which case certain prize components may not be available. The Winner must prove such disability by a doctor's certificate.
Sponsor Parties reserve the right in their sole discretion to disqualify any individual that Sponsor Parties find to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor Parties reserve the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Sponsor Parties' failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
ENTRANTS FURTHER AGREE THAT IN ANY CAUSE OF ACTION, THE SWEEPSTAKES ENTITIES’ LIABILITY WILL BE LIMITED TO THE COST OF ENTERING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE SWEEPSTAKES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE SWEEPSTAKES ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND/OR EXPERTS' FEES AND COSTS. ENTRANTS WAIVE THE RIGHT TO CLAIM ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, DIRECT, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES.
USE OF INFORMATION: By entering the Sweepstakes you agree that your entry and any other personally identifiable information collected or used in connection with the Sweepstakes may be used by the Sponsor Parties in accordance with its Privacy Policy, as posted on www.nick.com.
RULES/WINNERS LIST: To receive the name of the Winner or an additional copy of these Official Rules, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: “SpongeBob Animation Celebration Sweepstakes” c/o National Sweepstakes Company, PO Box 1050, Rochester, NY 14610. Please specify “Rules” or “Winner List”. All requests must be received by 2/15/10. Vermont residents may omit return postage. You may also view the rules by visiting www. www.spongebobanimationcelebration.com during the Sweepstakes Period.
SPONSOR/PROMOTER(S): MTV Networks, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036; and
Saputo Cheese USA Inc., 25 Tri-State International Office Center, Lincolnshire, IL 60069.
SWEEPSTAKES ADMINISTRATOR: National Sweepstakes Company, 693 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607