The Microsoft Internet Explorer AddOn Contest Official Rules

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The " Internet Explorer AddOn " Contest (the "Contest") is a skill contest in which participants are asked to create an extension program (AddOn) for the Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) browser. Entries will be judged based on the criteria listed below. The Contest begins at 12:01 a.m. (PT) on November 1st, 2006, and ends at 11:59 p.m. (PT) on February 9th, 2007 (Entry Period).

This skill contest is organized and administrated in the United States of America. In the event of a dispute, these rules will be subject to interpretation base on the laws of the State of Washington, USA. By entering, participants agree to be subject to these laws. If an entrant does not agree to be subject to these laws, they should not enter this contest.

ELIGIBILITY: This Contest is open to professional and amateur software development enthusiasts, however, residents of the following countries are ineligible to participate due to legal constraints: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Void where prohibited by law. Employees of Microsoft Corporation, and anyone working directly on Microsoft programs and their respective affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, prize suppliers, promotion, advertising and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members and persons living in the households of each are not eligible to enter.

HOW TO ENTER: Entrants must access the Add-Ons for Internet Explorer http://ieaddons.upload.com/which is hosted for Microsoft by CNET. Before uploading an entry, entrants are encouraged to Read the Product Information Requirements, Software Submission Requirements and Adware and Spyware Policy for information on the types of products that are eligible for inclusion on the IE Add-on site. All entries are subject to these terms.

Entrants must access ieaddons.upload.com to create a free account and begin the submission process. If an entrant already has an account with upload.com they can log in with that information.

Entrants may submit an unlimited number of entries; however, each entry must be substantially unique in content and function.

To be eligible, the AddOn must be compatible with IE7 for XP and IE7 in Vista and must be freely available for visitors to download. The application interface must be in English.

The entry may not contain content that Microsoft, in its sole discretion, deems offensive or inappropriate for public display, such as vulgarity, pornography or messaging that is overtly political in nature.

By submitting an application and entering this contest, entrants are granting Microsoft and Cnet.com permission to publish their entry on http://www.ieaddons.com or other Microsoft websites without further consideration. None of the entry materials submitted by an entrant (except for their personally identifiable information) will be treated as confidential, so entrants should not submit proprietary information. If an entrant does not agree to these terms, they should NOT enter this contest.

Microsoft assumes no responsibility for lost, late, illegible, garbled or misdirected entries, or for any computer, online, telephone, human, or other error or for any technical or other malfunctions that may occur. Proof of e-mailing or submission does not constitute proof of delivery. All information is collected in the United States. Use of any personally identifiable information is subject to the terms set forth in the Microsoft Statement of Privacy.

JUDGING CRITERIA / PRIZES

All eligible submissions will be judged and ranked by a panel of qualified experts based on the following criteria, each of which are weighted equally. The Judges' decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to this contest.

Creativity: Creative and innovative application.
Productivity: How does the AddOn increase the productivity of someone browsing the web
Practical Use: Does the AddOn solve a practical problem or make something easier
Performance: Does the AddOn cause any slow downs to Internet Explorer
Difficulty Of Problem Solved: How challenging was this problem to solve? Did the developer have to come up with a new way of thinking?
Cool Factor: Is this something that people are going to want and think it’s something they have to have?
Footprint: Does the AddOn have a small footprint for it’s purpose?
Ease Of Use: Was the AddOn easy to install and figure out? Did the user have to look at the read me or instructions to figure out how to use it?
Application Design/Architecture: Clean, easy-to-understand and well designed application.
Widespread interest/Use: Usefulness of the application across a wide audience of consumer users.

On or about March 5^th, 2007, 8 winners will be announced and notified via email. Winners will receive the following prizes:

Grand Prize: A trip for the winner and guest to attend the Microsoft sponsored "Mix07" conference in Las Vegas, NV], plus a $2500 travel allowance.
First Prize: $2000
Second Prize: $1000
Third Prize: $500
(4) Honorable Mention: A Zune MP3 Player (delivery based on when the product is released to market) (Estimated Retail Value $249.99)

PRIZE CONDITIONS: All values are stated in US dollars. All prizes will be awarded, provided a sufficient number of qualified eligible entries are received. Non-selected entrants will not be contacted. Cash prizes will be provided in the form of a check from the Sponsor. Should a potential winner decline the prize for any reason whatsoever, the next-eligible highest ranking entry will be deemed the winner of that prize. Any applicable taxes on the prize or expenses not listed here are the sole responsibility of the winner. Microsoft reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if entire prize or a portion of the advertised prize is unavailable for any reason. No barter, transfer, or assignment of any prize permitted, except by Microsoft at its sole discretion.

Travel Prize: Trip includes round trip coach airfare for winner and a guest from major airport closest to winner's home, standard double occupancy hotel accommodations, entrance to Mix07.Travel subject to availability and must be completed on dates specified by the sponsor or prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner if time allows. Some restrictions may apply. Travel companion (Parent/Guardian if companion is a minor) must sign & return a release of liability before the travel prize can be awarded to the winner. If the Mix07 conference is cancelled for any reason, the sponsor shall have no other obligation to the winner than to provide a trip for two (2) to Las Vegas, Nevada minus the performance specific amenities.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: The application must have been created by the entrant, and the entrant must have a non-restricted right to submit it in this Contest. The entry cannot defame or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person's personal or proprietary rights. Modifying, enhancing or altering a third party's pre-existing work does not qualify as entrant's original creation. Any entrant whose work includes likenesses of third parties or contains elements not owned by the entrant must be able to provide legal releases ("Releases") for such use including Sponsor's use of such entry, in a form satisfactory to judges. Entries not complying with all rules are subject to disqualification.

By entering, each entrant grants to Microsoft (including its affiliates, employees, agents, and contractors), and the Contest Judges an irrevocable, royalty free, fully paid up, worldwide license to use, review, assess, test and otherwise analyze the Application and all its content in connection with this Contest. Microsoft shall be free to use for any purpose the residuals resulting from access to or work with the Entrants' Applications. The term "residuals" means information in intangible form, which is retained in memory by persons who have had access to the Applications, including ideas, concepts, know-how, or techniques contained therein. Microsoft shall not have any obligation to limit or restrict the assignment of such persons or to pay royalties for any work resulting from the use of residuals. However, this paragraph shall not be deemed to grant to Microsoft a license under the Entrants' copyrights or patents.

Permission is also granted for Sponsor to promote and distribute winning entries in perpetuity in any medium it may see fit including, but not limited to, website, television, radio and/or printed materials. Entrants shall not receive any compensation or credit for use of entries, other than that disclosed in these rules. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules.

Potential winners may be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability Release, an IRS W-9 or W8BEN form, and where legal, Publicity Release, within 14 days following the date of issuance of notification. Non-compliance within this time period or return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Microsoft Corporation and its agents to use winner's name and likeness for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation unless prohibited by law. By entering, participants release and hold harmless Microsoft Corporation and its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotions agencies, prize suppliers, and all of their employees, officers, directors, shareholder's and agents from any and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Contest, the use of any entry, or the acceptance or use of any prize won.

INTERNET: If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, uploads of malicious files or viruses, or any other causes beyond the control of Microsoft Corporation which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Microsoft Corporation reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry or any individual who tampers with the entry or voting process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and select winners using all eligible, non-suspect entries and/or votes received as of the date of termination. Microsoft assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. Microsoft is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant's or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in this contest or downloading any materials in this Contest. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, MICROSOFT CORPORATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON (S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner, the winning entry will be declared made by the license holder of the Application submitted.

WHO WON: A list of winners will be posed online after March 31, 2007, at http://blogs.msdn.com/ie

SPONSOR: The Sponsor of this contest is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington, 98052-6399.