Here are the Contest Rules and Regulations for the GuideGecko Writing Contest, in case you need them. We thought we didn't, but our lawyers convinced us otherwise.
The contents is open to anyone internationally, provided they meet the requirements of GuideGecko's terms of service. GuideGecko's terms of service and privacy policy apply to all submissions, and by entering, participants agree to comply with and to be bound by these terms of service and the contest rules and regulations mentioned here. Participants also agree that the decisions of GuideGecko are final and binding with respect to all matters relating to the contest.
No entry or registration fees are required. Authors will receive full royalties and retain copyrights of their own works. There is no restriction on the number of words or number of pages per submission, and the number of submissions per participant. All independent guides (labeled as 'published on GuideGecko') are eligible for the contest. Submitted guides must remain available on GuideGecko until October 19, 2009. The author decides on the retail prize, and can also choose to offer his/her guide as a free download. In case a submission has multiple authors, only one author may submit the guide to the contest and only this author is considered to be the winning author. Only this author can receive any personal prize as mentioned in the contest description.
Submissions can be made in English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), French, German, Spanish or Urdu (that's all the languages we know). Guides written in other languages have to be confirmed at contest@guidegecko.com prior to submission. Submissions must be received online, before the closing time, in the way as stipulated on the contest website.
All votes and ratings have to be given using genuine, real-person accounts, with the maximum of one account per person and one voting per submission and account. Multiple votings by the same user for the same guide are not allowed.
The winning titles will be selected among the entries with an average rating of at least three out of five stars. All ratings until the closing date are counted, including ratings that have been submitted before the beginning of the contest. The titles with the highest number of votes (and an average rating of at least three stars) win, and the number of votes determines the order (1st prize is given to highest number of votes, 2nd prize to second highest number of votes, 3rd prize to the third highest number of votes, 4th prize to the fourth highest number of votes, 5th prize to the fifth highest number of votes). In case two or more guides have the same number of votes, the average rating is used to break ties. If the number of votes and the average rating are the same for two or more guides, GuideGecko will decide randomly among the guides in question.
The first prize winner must get in contact with GuideGecko within 48 hours after the email notification has been sent to him/her, and GuideGecko may ask the winner to assist in researching and purchasing the flight ticket. GuideGecko (and not the winner) will buy the ticket, unless explicitly stated otherwise in written communication by GuideGecko to the winner. The flight dates must be confirmed by the winner by September 29, 2009. GuideGecko will pay a return airfare ticket in economy class on the most economical route from the winners place of residence to Frankuft am Main, Germany, up to a maximum of 1500 USD. The flight's originating airport must be serviced by Lufthansa German Airlines, and transportation from the winner's place of residence to that airport will be bourne by the winner (not GuideGecko). GuideGecko will provide accomodation in (or near) Frankfurt am Main, Germany, for a maximum of four nights between October 14 and October 18 (the days of the Frankfurt Book Fair), and will provide the winner with an all-days entrance ticket to the fair. All other costs and expenses have to be bourne directly by the winner. The winner is responsible to follow all visa regulations and to obtain the required documents for the trip.
The first prize winner agrees to write and submit a summary of his/her impressions and activities on the fair by the end of each day of the fair. These articles may be posted on GuideGecko's website and used in whatever form and in any material as deemed fit by GuideGecko and its partners for an indefinite period of time.
GuideGecko reserves the right to reject entries for whatsoever reason and the right to replace prizes without notice. Prizes must be taken as provided and are neither transferable nor exchangeable for cash. All winners will be notified by email only.
GuideGecko reserves the right to adjust these rules and regulations and shall not be held responsible for any misinterpretation of the above-mentioned rules and regulations whatsoever.
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