1. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules. Registration for the NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler InstaMeet (“InstaMeet”) will be held online from 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”), July 8, 2016, to 11:59 p.m. ET, July 15, 2016 (“Contest Period”). Insta‐Meet is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce (the “Sponsor”) who is solely responsible for all aspects of this InstaMeet.
2. ELIGIBILITY. The InstaMeet is open to legal residents of the United States of America who are 18 years of age or older as of “Contest Start Date.” Sponsor’s employees and their immediate families are not eligible to participate or claim a prize. Only one entry form per person. Entries will only be accepted at www.commerce.gov/HasslerInstameet. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. All federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations apply. By participating, entrants agree to abide by all terms of these Official Rules and to the decisions of the judge, and waive any right to claim ambiguity in the InstaMeet or these Official Rules.
3. HOW TO REGISTER. 1.) As of 12:00 a.m. ET, July 15, 2016, the entrant must:
a. Have an Instagram® account. If you are not a member, you may sign‐up here: http://instagram.com
b. Follow the Secretary of Commerce on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/PennyPritzker
c. Complete the specified registration form by July 15, 2016.
d. Be 18 years of age or older.
By registering, you represent that you have all necessary rights to grant a license to the Sponsor an irrevocable, royalty‐free license to copy, distribute, modify, display, publish and re‐use your entry submission and Instagram photos and videos for any purpose throughout the world and in any media and for any purpose and that you hereby grant such license together with the right to use your name and image. You agree that your participation is not for the purpose of endorsement of any commercial enterprise, organization, product or service. You certify that all information provided is true and correct. You further certify that all photos or videos will be created for the purpose of publicizing the NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler and will be family‐friendly, not include any violence, profanity, or direct attacks on individuals or organizations, and will not infringe on any third party rights.
5. SELECTIONS AND NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS. Winners will be determined on or after July 16, 2016, by evaluation of your answer to the question “Why would you like to be considered for the NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler InstaMeet” and to obtain the greatest geographic diversity. Applications that are not received through www.commerce.gov/HasslerInstameet, exceed the space allotted or contain inaccurate or inappropriate messages will not be judged. Winners will be notified by email or Instagram® on or after July 16, 2016 and need not be present to win. Winners will be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability/Publicity Release upon arrival, prior to participating in the Insta‐Meet. Winners are solely responsible for all costs, including travel, that might be required to participate in this Insta‐Meet. The winner will be disqualified if a selected winner fails to comply with these rules, cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim a prize, or fails to return the completed and executed Affidavit and Releases in the stated time period as required, or if the prize notification or prize is returned as undeliverable. Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission to use the winners’ names, likenesses, and statements for promotional and publicity purposes without additional compensation or limitation unless prohibited by law. All decisions of the Sponsor regarding the selection of winners, notification and substitution of winners in accordance with these Official Rules shall be binding and final.
6. PRIZES AVAILABLE. Winners will be invited to attend the NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler InstaMeet on July 21, 2016. The prize is not transferable, assignable, or redeemable for cash and if not used will be forfeited.
7. INDEMNIFICATION AND RELEASE. By entering the InstaMeet and participating in any promotions relating thereto, each entrant agrees to release and hold Sponsor, its respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, participating partners, and any other entities participating in the design, administration, or fulfillment of this Insta‐Meet contest and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents, harmless from any and all losses, rights, claims, injuries, damages, expenses, costs, or actions of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation in this InstaMeet or any InstaMeet ‐related activity, or acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prize or parts thereof, including without limitation personal injuries, death, and property damage and claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy.
8. SPONSOR. U.S. Department of Commerce: 1401 Constitution Ave N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230