If you were to make an iPhone app, let's say to facilitate the mobile entry in a cool way, would you still own the app after the contest? I assume it's all just whatever you want to do with it? and they just pick a winner?
"The code from all submitted entries remains entirely under the ownership of the submitter. The exception is wrapper libraries which we require to be open source and permission given to us to put up on our GitHub repository."
The fact that there is a market for point solutions like this always amazes me -- but we needed one ourselves in the early days, when we wanted to run a customer survey but were too busy building the product to write one.
For what it's worth, after a history of scams there are now a lot of regulations in the US around contests and lotteries. I've see "US residents only" in fine print before, and I wouldn't be surprised if they would risk legal or tax problems if they let anyone else participate.
"Because of their potential for abuse, sweepstakes are heavily regulated in many countries. The U.S., Canada, and individual U.S. states all have laws covering sweepstakes, resulting in special rules depending on where the entrant lives. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission exercises some authority over sweepstakes promotion and sweepstakes scams in the United States."
While this isn't a sweepstakes, the same comission also oversees rules and laws about contests and have equally annoying restrictions. Obviously, we would love the talent and potential of the international community to work on this.
There's probably all sorts of complications when sending a battle axe around the world. I don't think it would get past Australian customs without some additional documentation for example.
he is not. for example, i know for a fact that denmark as a country will not accept equipment for the sport of fencing (they are not actually dangerous blades, all are totally safe) under the premise that they appear to be weapons.
There are very different regulations in each separate country, and sometimes even in regions within countries. For instance, you can run a contest of skill (which this is) in Canada, but you have to exclude Quebec. Also, the laws are always changing. For instance, we used to have to exclude Puerto Rico, but it's now okay to include them.
To do a worldwide contest, you'd need to have a lawyer who knows the local rules in every country in which you want to operate. Allowing U.S. residents only is just much cheaper and less expensive.
If you ever think about running a contest for substantial prizes, be sure to consult a lawyer who knows something about it. The FTC and its overseas equivalents are not shy about making sure the rules are enforced.
It is cool. I once ran OpenGLForums.com and when the movie Blade was really popular, I ran a contest to make a 3D movie programmatically about Blade and the winner would win the sword (or a replica, rather) from the movie. Unfortunately, it turns out shipping a weapon is much more difficult than it appears, especially overseas. I ended up just sending the guy the value of the sword and kept it for myself.
Regardless, this is a cool contest and has a cool prize.
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[ 4.7 ms ] story [ 79.4 ms ] threador are you submitting to them "for keeps" ?
"The code from all submitted entries remains entirely under the ownership of the submitter. The exception is wrapper libraries which we require to be open source and permission given to us to put up on our GitHub repository."
> This contest is open to United States residents only.
Why do this? Surely the aim is to make something cool. Why limit to the US ? Wufoo is not limited to the USA only so why apply this to the comp ?
People in other countries also understand REST you know !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweepstakes
"Because of their potential for abuse, sweepstakes are heavily regulated in many countries. The U.S., Canada, and individual U.S. states all have laws covering sweepstakes, resulting in special rules depending on where the entrant lives. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission exercises some authority over sweepstakes promotion and sweepstakes scams in the United States."
While this isn't a sweepstakes, the same comission also oversees rules and laws about contests and have equally annoying restrictions. Obviously, we would love the talent and potential of the international community to work on this.
To do a worldwide contest, you'd need to have a lawyer who knows the local rules in every country in which you want to operate. Allowing U.S. residents only is just much cheaper and less expensive.
If you ever think about running a contest for substantial prizes, be sure to consult a lawyer who knows something about it. The FTC and its overseas equivalents are not shy about making sure the rules are enforced.
Regardless, this is a cool contest and has a cool prize.