Official Contest Rules

THIS CONTEST HAS OFFICIALLY ENDED FOR 2010.

THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.
VISIT OUR BLOG FOR ALL THE DETAILS.

Listen to the Business Baby Shower Contest podcast for advice, tips and suggestions for completing the Application process and Two-Minute Video submission (approx. 55 minutes, may take several minutes to download depending on Internet connection).

OFFICIAL BUSINESS BABY SHOWER 2010 CONTEST RULES (the “Official Rules”)

There are six steps in our entry process:

  1. Complete the Business Baby Shower contest application and consent form.
  2. Register to become a member of The Mom Entrepreneur Online Support Group.
  3. Sign up for the Newsletter and Mom Business Tool Kit at Corporate Mom DropOuts.
  4. Submit description of business concept and greatest mom entrepreneur challenge.
  5. Submit two minutes or less video summary of business concept.
  6. Submit $25 non-refundable application processing fee.

For the purposes of these Official Rules, “you” and “your” refer to the business that enters the Contest (as defined below) as well as the individual who enters the Contest on behalf of the business. Note: It is an individual’s sole responsibility to review and understand her company’s policies regarding participation in promotions such as this.  Prizes are subject to such company policies.

  1. Sponsor: Business Baby Shower is a partnership of The Mom Entrepreneur and Corporate Mom DropOuts.  The Business Baby Shower Contest (the “Contest”) is sponsored by The Mom Entrepreneur and Corporate Mom DropOuts (the ”Sponsors”).
  2. Official Rules: By entering the Contest, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsors, which are final and binding.  Please read these Official Rules carefully.  All decisions related to the Contest are at the Sponsors’ sole discretion.
  3. Eligibility: The Contest is open only to female parents who are the majority owner (i.e., greater than fifty percent (50%)) of the subject business entity RESIDING OR CARRYING ON BUSINESS FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES in the 50 United States and Canada, with the exception of the Province of Quebec and except where prohibited by law.  Only individuals who are legal residents of the 50 United States or Canada (excluding Quebec), age 18 or older, may submit entries on behalf of their business entities.  The following business entities and their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies, as well as their employees, officers, interns, agents, contractors, and their immediate family members (parent, child, spouse, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside), and those living in their same households, whether or not related, are ineligible to enter the Contest: The Mom Entrepreneur, Corporate Mom DropOuts, and any other business entities affiliated with the Contest Judges (as defined below).

How to Enter: 

  1. Contest Website.  During the Contest Period (as defined below), the only method of entry is online at www.businessbabyshower.com (the “Contest Website”).
  2. Entry Form and Consent Form.  Follow the directions provided to complete and submit the entry form and consent form located on the Contest Website.  Incomplete entries and consent forms will not be accepted.
  3. Submission.  Submit a brief (no more than 1,500 character) description of your business and the problem it solves (the “Submission”).  Contest Sponsors reserve the right to make minor edits to grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and related presentation points.  You may only enter one (1) Submission per business. 
  4. Video. You must include the direct link (URL) to your uploaded video online. We will accept a link to YouTube.com, your website or another video sharing site. YouTube.com videos are preferred. Videos should not exceed two (2) minutes in length. Videos exceeding this length will be disqualified.
  5. Restrictions.  All Submissions must be in English, must be your original work, must not have been entered in any other contest or submitted to any publication or organization, and must adhere to the Official Rules of the Contest.  Submissions with illegal, offensive, harassing, defamatory, or other inappropriate content or that invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person’s personal or property rights or any other third party rights or that are otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules will be void.  You agree that Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, delayed, garbled, damaged, or incomplete Submissions, nor any unauthorized use of Submissions by third parties. Released Parties do not guarantee the posting of any Submission.  You agree that you will not use the Submission for any other purpose, including without limitation posting the Submission to any other websites, including your own, without the prior written consent of the Contest Sponsors in each instance.
  6. Contest Period: The contest will run from January 1, 2010 – April 30, 2010 (the “Contest Period”). Entries will only be accepted during the Contest Period. Three (3) Winners (as defined below) will be chosen and announced on or before 11:59 P.M. EST on May 31, 2010.

Selection of the Winners:  

  1. Judging Criteria.  All eligible Submissions will be judged on the following criteria: (i) degree of business solution; (ii) creativity of solution; and (iii) practicality/broad applicability of solution (the “Judging Criteria”).
  2. Selection of the Winners.  At the end of the Contest Period, judges delegated by the Contest Sponsors (the “Judges”) will select (3) winners (the “Winners”) in their sole discretion based on the Judging Criteria.  The Contest Sponsors will announce the Winners on or before 11:59 P.M. EST on May 31, 2010. The Winners will be posted on the Contest Website and contacted directly via email and/or telephone.  Contest Judges reserve the right to select fewer than three (3) Winners if, at their sole discretion, they do not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified entries.  The decisions of the Judges are final.
  3. Restrictions.  Submissions, applications and consent forms that do not comply with these Official Rules will be void and all such entrants of same will be disqualified.
  4. Conduct: By entering the Contest, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Official Rules, which will also be posted on the Contest Website. Failure to comply with these Official Rules may result in disqualification from the Contest and all associated Submissions will be void. You further agree to comply with and be bound by the decisions of the Contest Sponsors and Judges, which are final and binding in all respects.  The Contest Sponsors and Judges reserve the right in their sole discretion to disqualify any entrant and remove any such entrant’s Submission if entrant is found by the Contest Sponsors and/or Judges to be: (1) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest; (2) violating these Official Rules; (3) violating the terms of service, conditions of use or general rules or guidelines of any Contest Sponsor property or service, available at www.businessbabyshower.com; or (4) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person.  Any false information provided within the context of the Contest by any entrant concerning identity, postal address, or ownership of right may result in the immediate disqualification of an entrant from the Contest at the Contest Sponsors sole discretion.  The Contest Sponsors further reserve the right to disqualify any Submission that it believes in its sole discretion infringes upon any law or right, or otherwise does not comply with these Official Rules.  The Contest Sponsors have the right to void Submissions and votes in their sole discretion in the case of suspected automated or other fraudulent Submission or voting activity and to disqualify all associated entrants.    ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY PROPERTY OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, BUSINESS BABY SHOWER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
  5. Prizes:  The sole prize (the “Prize”) for each Winner, if any, is that the Winner’s Submission may be published in one or more of the following publications (the “Publications”): the Contest Website, the partnering  feature on the Business Baby Shower blog, the following newsletters: the Business Baby Shower newsletter, and any comparable publications of Business Baby Shower or its affiliates.  Business Baby Shower in its sole discretion will determine if, how, when, where, and for how long to include the Winner’s Submission in a Publication.  No transfer, cash redemption or substitution of the Prize is permitted, except by the Contest Sponsors, which in their sole discretion may substitute any Prize with one of comparable or greater value. Winners are responsible for all federal, state and local taxes (including income and withholding taxes) and any other costs and expenses associated with Prize acceptance and use.  The approximate retail value of the Prize is USD $0.  All Prize details are at the Contest Sponsors’ sole discretion. The Prize will be awarded to the business entity that enters the Contest as opposed to the individual who enters the Contest on behalf of the business.

Promotions and Media Activity:

  1. By accepting a Prize, you grant Business Baby Shower and its affiliates the right to use your name, voice, statements, city and state, and/or likeness, as well as your business’s name, location, photograph, and image in any and all promotional advertising, or media activity or any other promotional, advertising or media materials now known or hereafter devised (collectively, “Media Activity”), worldwide, in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification, or approval.  You also agree to participate in any Media Activity regarding the Contest.
  2. By submitting a Submission, you acknowledge and agree that Business Baby Shower, is the sole owner of the Submissions (including all rights embodied therein, and you hereby assign same to Business Baby Shower), has the unqualified right, along with its designees, to exploit, edit, modify, display, copy, make derivative works from, distribute, and otherwise use the Submissions and any and all elements thereof, including without limitation the names or statements of any persons embodied therein, in any and all Media Activity now known or hereafter devised, worldwide in perpetuity.  Such use may be with or without attribution to you and does not require any compensation, notification, permission or approval from you or any third party.   

Privacy Notice and Terms of Use: By participating in the Contest, you will be subject to and agree to comply with Business Baby Shower’s online Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, which are incorporated into these Official Rules by reference.  By participating in this Contest, you agree that the Contest Sponsors and Judges shall be permitted to collect your personal information and that if the Sponsors and Judges cannot collect the required data, you may not be eligible to participate in the Contest.  Any personal information collected during the course of the Contest by Business Baby Shower will only be used for administering this Contest and for other purposes as outlined in these Official Rules and Business Baby Shower’s Privacy Policy. You will have the right to access, review, rectify or cancel any personal data held by Business Baby Shower by writing to Business Baby Shower, c/o The Mom-Entrepreneur, P.O. Box 458, Barrington, NH 03825.

General Conditions: This Contest is governed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire, United States, excluding its conflict of laws principles. All applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations apply. By participating in this Contest, you agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and by the Business Baby Shower Sponsors’ and Judges’ decisions, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Contest. Return of any Prize/Prize notification may result in disqualification and selection of a runner-up for the Prize at issue.  Any potential Winner who cannot be contacted within seven (7) days of attempted first notification will forfeit the Prize, and the Prize will be awarded to a runner-up.  Potential Winners will be required to sign, have notarized and return an Affidavit or Declaration (as applicable) of Eligibility, a Liability/Publicity Release, an I.R.S. Form W-9 and any other documents required by Business Baby Shower, and provide a copy of photo identification and any additional information that may be required by Business Baby Shower within fifteen (15) days following the date of issuance of such documents.  An authorized representative with signing authority of the business for which the Winner has entered will also be required to sign all documents required by Business Baby Shower in order to receive the Prize.  Failure to comply within this time period or non-compliance with these Official Rules may result in disqualification and selection of a runner up winner.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: BUSINESS BABY SHOWER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR CANCEL THIS CONTEST OR THESE OFFICIAL RULES AT ANY TIME.  IN SUCH EVENT, CONTEST APPLICATION FEES SHALL NOT BE REFUNDED.  BUSINESS BABY SHOWER, CONTEST SPONSORS AND JUDGES, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES AFFILIATED WITH BUSINESS BABY SHOWER, THE CONTEST SPONSORS AND JUDGES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, AND ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PARTY AND WILL BE RELEASED, DISCHARGED AND HELD HARMLESS FOR ANY INJURIES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL (INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFIT), EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY/WRONGFUL DEATH) OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST, AS WELL AS INJURIES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM (A) NEGLIGENCE BY BUSINESS BABY SHOWER OR ANY OTHER PARTY; (B) ANY DELAY IN AWARDING ANY PRIZE; (C) THE ACCEPTANCE OR USE OF ANY PRIZE OR FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST; OR (D) THE RELEASED PARTIES’ OR ITS DESIGNEES’ EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS GRANTED HEREUNDER.  THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY APPLIES REGARDLESS OF THE FORESEEABILITY OF THE LOSSES, CLAIMS, OR DAMAGES, WHETHER THE RELEASED PARTIES BEEN ADVISED AS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR THE FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY REMEDY.

Some jurisdictions do not permit the exclusion of certain types of damages.  Therefore, only if required by applicable law, some or all of the exclusions above may not apply to you.  You may have other rights from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Indemnification.  You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all third-party claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees, resulting from: (a) your violation of any provision of these Official Rules; (b) your violation of any law; (c) your infringement of any copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property or proprietary right; or (d) any injury to persons (including without limitation defamation) or loss or damage to tangible or intangible property related to your participation in the Contest.

Third Parties: The Released Parties are not responsible for the policies, actions, or inactions of others that might prevent you from entering, participating, and/or claiming a prize in the Contest.

Internet: The Released Parties are not responsible for the following:

  1. Electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission;
  2. Theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of Submissions or other Contest materials;
  3. Injury or damage to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Contest or downloading materials from or use of the Contest Website;
  4. Technical, network, telephone equipment, network, cable, satellite, Internet Service Provider (ISP), electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind;
  5. Inaccurate transmissions of or failure to display Contest materials on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof;
  6. Other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing or judging of Submissions, the tabulation of votes, the announcement of the prizes, or in any Contest-related materials.

If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest, Business Baby Shower Sponsors reserve the right at their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest, including without limitation the selection of the Finalists and Winners.  IN SUCH EVENT, CONTEST APPLICATION FEES SHALL NOT BE REFUNDED.

Severability: If any provision(s) of these Official Rules are held to be invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Winners List: The names of the Winners (if any) will be posted on the Contest Website on or about May 31, 2010 and will remain on the Contest Website for an indefinite period of time.

Warranties and Intellectual Property Ownership.  You agree that all Submissions and other information or content that you provide Business Baby Shower related to the Contest, and the associated copyrights, become the sole property of Business Baby Shower.  You warrant and guarantee the following:

  1. The information you provide Business Baby Shower for the Contest is accurate and complete;
  2. You have the right to enter the Contest on behalf of the business on the entry form;
  3. You have the right to transfer ownership of and copyright to the Submission to Business Baby Shower;
  4. The Submission has not been entered in any other contest or submitted to any other publication or organization;
  5. The Submission is original and does not and will not infringe on any copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property or proprietary right;
  6. You do not need the permission of any other person, business, organization, or other party to enter the Submission in the Contest;
  7. Your Submission and your participation in the Contest will not violate any agreement you have with another party; and
  8. You will comply with all federal, state, provincial, and other laws applicable to the Submission and your participation in the Contest.