Contest Rules Overview

These rules explain how submissions are evaluated and what happens to submitted content. Revup’s contest-rule draft is an operational starting point and not legal advice. Obtain qualified review where required, especially for minors, third-party intellectual property, high-value prizes, multinational contests, or broad rights to participant content.

Accepted Media and Submission Requirements

Specify accepted file types, maximum file sizes, resolution requirements, and required metadata (title, description, contact info). State whether video, audio, images, text, or mixed-media entries are allowed and how to submit (direct upload, link, or embed). Include any required consent checkboxes or release forms and deadline timestamps (with time zone).

Content Restrictions and Reasons for Rejection

• Prohibited content: illegal activity, hate speech, explicit sexual content, harassment, or content that violates platform policies.
• Copyrighted or third-party-owned content without proper licenses or releases.
• Spam, deceptive practices, or entries that manipulate voting.
• Entries missing required metadata or exceeding size/format limits.
• Entries that depict minors without required guardian consent.

State that organizers reserve the right to reject or remove submissions that violate rules, community standards, or applicable law, and explain typical notice and cure processes if applicable.

Participant Eligibility and Submission Limits

Define eligible participants by age, residency, and any excluded classes (employees, affiliates). Specify the maximum number of submissions per person or team, team-size limits, and whether multiple entries are allowed if substantially different.

Rights, Permissions, Licenses, and Public Gallery Display

Explain the license participants grant upon submission (e.g., non-exclusive or exclusive, duration, geographic scope, right to display, reproduce, adapt, and promote). State whether submission to a public gallery is mandatory or optional and how entries will be credited. Note any ability for organizers to sublicense or transfer rights and processes for requesting removal from the gallery.

Requirements for People, Music, Brands, or Property

• People: Model releases required for identifiable individuals (adults and minors—guardian release for minors).
• Music: Proof of license for copyrighted music or use of royalty-free/tracked music as specified.
• Brands/Property: Permission or location releases when private property or trademarks are prominently featured.

State consequences for failing to provide required releases, including disqualification or restricted use.

Moderation and Removal Authority

Organizers and platform moderators may remove, disqualify, or edit content that violates rules, legal requirements, or community standards. Describe the escalation and appeal process, timelines for notice, and whether removed entries may be cured or resubmitted.

Voting Period, Limits, Verification, and Suspicious Activity

Specify voting start and end times (with time zone), per-person voting limits, login or verification requirements, and whether anonymous votes are allowed. Describe measures to detect and address suspicious activity (bot detection, IP rate limiting, manual review). Explain how suspected fraudulent votes are handled (removal, recalculation) and whether notification is provided.

Judging Criteria, Weights, Judges, and Tie Process

List scoring criteria (e.g., creativity, technical execution, relevance) and the weight of each criterion. Identify judges or judge qualifications and disclose any conflicts of interest policy. Describe how ties are resolved (e.g., higher score in a defined criterion, head judge decision, runoff).

How Public Votes Affect the Final Decision

Clarify whether public votes are advisory, constitute a percentage of final score, or solely determine winners. Make sure gallery labels and voting controls consistently reflect this (e.g., label “People’s Choice — advisory” if votes are advisory). If public votes are factored into scoring, describe the exact formula and normalization process.

Prize, Winner Verification, Notification, Claim, and Alternate Terms

• Prize description, quantity, approximate retail value, and any tax reporting responsibility.
• Winner verification steps (identity, eligibility, release forms), timelines to respond, and consequences for failure to respond.
• How prizes are awarded, shipped, or delivered and any restrictions (transferability, substitution).
• Alternate winner selection process if an original winner is ineligible or fails verification.

Consistency Across Experience

Ensure upload instructions, consent fields, gallery labels, voting controls, judging process, and winner workflow reflect the same rules. If voting is advisory, avoid labeling gallery rank as the final winner. Any UI language should match the underlying rules and outcome treatment.

Review and Change Management

Changing entry requirements, voting periods, judging methods, or public-use terms after submissions begin can materially affect participants. Require appropriate internal and legal review before making changes and communicate changes to participants when required by law or policy. Describe conditions under which rule changes might occur and any participant notification procedure.

Operational Notes and Best Practices

• Include clear timelines and time zones for submission, voting, judging, and winner announcement.
• Provide help/contact information for technical or rules questions.
• Keep a public FAQ addressing common issues: withdrawals, disqualification, gallery removal, and disputes.
• Log and archive all submissions and votes to support audits and disputes.

Final Statement

These contest rules form the operational foundation for running a fair contest. They should be reviewed and adapted by qualified legal and operational teams to match jurisdictional requirements and the contest’s specific circumstances.