My Midwest– Photo Contest #7

Official Contest Rules

Void outside the 50 United States and where prohibited. Do not proceed to enter this contest if you are not at least 18 years of age and a legal resident of, and located within, one of the 50 United States (excluding Puerto Rico) at the time of entry, with Internet access prior to August 17, 2009.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. 

My Midwest Photo Contest #7 entry period begins on August 17, 2009 and ends at 11:59 p.m., C.T. on September 13, 2009.  Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.T., on September 13, 2009. Entries become the property of Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa (“Sponsor”) and will not be acknowledged or returned.
ENTRY: Visit www.midwestliving.com/mymidwest, click on the links to enter and complete the registration form. Click on the “Upload Photos” button and add up to six (6) photos in one album (one entry) that reflect a Midwest location or experience.  Please note photos must be .jpeg or .bmp image formats and cannot exceed 3 MB. Photos must be taken by entrant, non-professional, unpublished and may not have won any prize or award.  Photos must not contain material that violates or infringes the rights of another, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement.  Photos must not contain brand names or trademarks. 

To upload your photos

• go to www.midwestliving.com/mymidwest and click on “Enter Here” link
• Click on the “Upload Photos” button, and fill out the requested information
• Select the “Photo Contests – My Midwest” channel
• Pick a label for your album of photos (e.g. My favorite place in Wisconsin)
• Click on the upload photo button ( this will browse files on your computer)
• Please label each photo you upload (e.g. The Family on our Farm)
• Write a short description of your photo or select a description from options provided
• To add a second photo to your album click on Add More Photos
• Once you have uploaded up to six (6) photos, click on the SUBMIT button

LIMIT:  Multiple entries will be accepted from entrants, and each entry must be for a unique location or experience.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject, disqualify, modify, edit, and revise any entries, subjects, photos, or related materials that are obscene, defamatory, profane, offensive, lewd, pornographic, false, misleading, deceptive, or otherwise inconsistent with its editorial standards, audience expectations, or reputational interests or that Sponsor believes may violate any applicable law or regulation or the rights of any third party.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to verify any element of any entry or related materials and to disqualify any entrant whose participation may subject the contest, Sponsor, or Sponsor's advertisers, clients, or customers to controversy, negative publicity, scorn, or ridicule.  

ELIGIBILITY: Entrants must be a legal resident of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and 18 years of age or older. Employees of Sponsor, and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion and/or their respective agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and members of their immediate families or persons residing at the same address are not eligible.

MONTHLY WINNER SELECTION:  On or about September 20, 2009, a qualified panel of judges will judge the eligible entries on the basis of aesthetic appeal (25%), photo quality (25%), reflection of theme (25%) and creativity (25%). One (1) monthly contest winner will be chosen from each contest.   In the event of a tie, the winning entry will be the entry among the tied entries with the highest score in the criterion of aesthetic appeal.  Decisions of judges are final and binding in all respects.  

MONTHLY PRIZING:  The winning monthly entry for Contest #7 will receive a digital photo frame, valued at $150.00. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize (or portions thereof) of equal or greater value if prize (or portions thereof) cannot be awarded as described. Sponsor will determine all elements of prizing in its sole discretion. Prize may not be assigned, transferred, changed or redeemed for cash, except at the sole discretion of Sponsor.   Prize is awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee express or implied. Sponsor disclaims all and any liability for the actual provision, quality or nature of any third party product or service accepted by the winner. The awarding of any prize is contingent upon full compliance with these Official Rules. 

GRAND PRIZE WINNER SELECTION:  Sponsor will conduct six (6) additional monthly photo contests during calendar year 2009.  Two (2) separate grand prize winners will be determined, as described below.     

Editors’ Choice Winner Selection for Grand Prize:
On or about February 19, 2010, a qualified panel of judges will judge the ten (10) monthly contest winners on the basis of aesthetic appeal (25%), photo quality (25%), reflection of theme (25%) and creativity (25%). One (1) Editors’ Choice winner will be selected.  In the event of a tie, the winning entry will be the entry among the tied entries with the highest score in the criterion of aesthetic appeal. 

Readers’ Choice Winner Selection for Grand Prize:
From February 10, 2010 to February 19, 2010, at 11:59 p.m., C.T. (the “Grand Prize Voting Period”), visitors to www.midwestliving.com/mymidwest will be invited to vote for the ten (10) monthly contest winners  One vote per e-mail address, per day. The monthly winner receiving the highest number of votes during the Grand Prize Voting Period will be the Readers’ Choice winner.  In the event of a tie in the Grand Prize Round, a panel of judges will select the Readers’ Choice winner from among the tied entries with the highest score in aesthetic appeal.  All results are unofficial until verified. 

GRAND PRIZES:  The two (2) grand prize winners (one Editors’ Choice and one Readers’ Choice) will each receive a World-Class Dining Weekend prize package in Chicago for two (2), approximate retail value (“ARV”) $3,995.00 per prize package. Prize package (for two) includes:  dinner for two (2) at three of Chicago’s James Beard award winning restaurants:  Tru, Frontera Grill and North Pond, RV $600 per prize package; three (3) nights hotel accommodations at the Sutton Place Hotel, ARV $1,200 per prize package; airfare for two (2) from anywhere in the continental United States, ARV $1,000  per prize package; two (2) tickets to “Jersey Boys”, ARV $195 per prize package; and a $1,000 check (per prize package). Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a grand prize (or portions thereof) of equal or greater value if grand prize (or portions thereof) cannot be awarded as described. Sponsor will determine all elements of prizing in its sole discretion. Prize may not be assigned, transferred, changed or redeemed for cash, except at the sole discretion of Sponsor.   Prize is awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee express or implied. Sponsor disclaims all and any liability for the actual provision, quality or nature of any third party product or service accepted by the winner. The awarding of any prize is contingent upon full compliance with these Official Rules.

PRIVACY:  Registration for Sponsor’s midwestliving.com website is required to enter the Sweepstakes.  When you register, we collect personally identifying information about you, including your name, mailing address, and email address.  The information that you provide will be added to a centralized Sponsor database so that you will simultaneously be registered for Sponsor’s other websites as well.  By entering and providing the required registration information, you acknowledge that Sponsor may send you information, samples, or special offers it believes may be of interest to you about its publications or other complementary goods offered by Sponsor.  Sponsor may also include your name and postal address in postal address lists that Sponsor sells or rents to third parties for marketing purposes.  For more information about how Sponsor uses the information you provide, see Sponsor’s privacy policy at www.midwestliving.com.  IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THIS PROMOTION.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION:  Except where prohibited, by participating entrants agree that:  All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of participant(s) and Sponsor and its agents shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law of any jurisdiction. Entrant agrees that any action at law or in equity arising out of or relating to this Contest, or awarding of the prizes, shall be filed only in the state or federal courts located in the State of Iowa and entrant hereby consents and submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action. Except where prohibited, by participating in this Contest, entrant agrees that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or awarding of the prizes, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with participating in this Contest but in no event attorneys' fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any participant be permitted to obtain awards for and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above may not apply to you.

OTHER:  Sponsor assumes no responsibility for entries or votes it is unable to process due to network, hardware or other technical failures; or any other reason, or incomplete, damaged, misdirected, or lost entries.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the voting process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of the rules. Sponsor further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate or modify this promotion if not capable of completion as planned, including infection by computer virus, technical corruption, non-authorized human intervention or force majeure.  In the event of cancellation, Sponsor reserves the right to select winner(s) from among all eligible entries and votes received prior to date of cancellation.  The use of automated entry systems or any other conduct that impedes the integrity of the contest is prohibited.  In the event of a dispute regarding online entry, entry will be deemed made by the holder of an established e-mail account associated with the entry.

RELEASES:  Entrants authorize the Sponsor to use their name, voice, likeness, biographical data, city and state of residence and entry materials in promotional material and for advertising, public relations and editorial purposes worldwide, in perpetuity, or on a winner’s list, if applicable, without further compensation unless prohibited by law.  Sponsor is not obligated to use any of the above-mentioned information or materials, but may do so and may edit such information or materials, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, without further obligation or compensation. 

Except where prohibited by law, potential winners will be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Ownership/Liability Release, Publicity Release and License of Pre-existing Work within ten (10) days of notification or the entry with the next highest score or votes may become an alternate winner. If winner notification is returned as undeliverable, the entry with the next highest score or votes may become an alternate winner.  By participating and winning a prize, winners release Sponsor, and its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and agencies and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability with respect to the prize won and participation in the contest.  Subject to all U. S. federal, state and local laws and regulations.  Void where prohibited.  Taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the winners. Grand prize winners will each receive a 1099 tax form. For Contest #7 winner’s name, available after September 30, 2009, send a separate, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Winners’ List Contest #7/My Midwest – Midwest Living 1716 Locust St.,  LN-200, Des Moines IA 50309-3023 .