Official Rules:
Yahoo! Answers Ask the Planet
Sweepstakes
THE
FOLLOWING SWEEPSTAKES IS INTENDED FOR PLAY IN THE FIFTY UNITED STATES AND THE
NO
PURCHASE AND NO ONLINE ENTRY IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES
OF WINNING.
ENTRY
IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES.
1. Eligibility: You must be a legal resident of the
Eligibility Area and 18 years or older at the time of entry. Void in overseas
2. How To Enter: The
Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 AM EDT on June 13, 2006 and ends at 11:59 PM EDT on
July 10, 2006 (the “Entry Period”). For purposes of these official rules,
the Entry Period is divided into a series of Drawing Periods, as follows:
Drawing Period 1: between 12:01 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/13/2006.
Drawing Period
2: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/14/2006.
Drawing Period
3: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/15/2006.
Drawing Period
4: between 12:00:00 AM EDT on 6/16/06 and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/18/2006.
Drawing Period
5: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/19/2006.
Drawing Period 6: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/20/2006.
Drawing Period 7: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/21/2006.
Drawing Period
8: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/22/2006.
Drawing Period
9: between 12:00:00 AM EDT on 6/23/06 and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/25/2006.
Drawing Period
10: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/26/2006.
Drawing Period
11: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/27/2006.
Drawing Period
12: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/28/2006.
Drawing Period
13: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 6/29/2006.
Drawing Period
14: between 12:00:00 AM EDT on 6/30/2006 and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 7/4/06.
Drawing Period
15: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 7/5/2006.
Drawing Period
16: between 12:00:00 AM EDT and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 7/6/2006.
Drawing Period
17: between 12:00:00 AM EDT on 7/7/06 and 11:59:59 PM EDT on 7/10/2006.
You may enter the Sweepstakes using ONE of the following two methods:
a. Online Entry: To enter online, complete the official entry form,
which is located at http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/asktheplanet
(the "Microsite"). If you are not an existing Yahoo! ID holder,
follow the instructions to register for a free Yahoo! ID. Follow the instructions to completely
fill out and submit the ID registration form. You will then be asked to
provide your first and last name, physical mailing address (no post office
boxes), telephone number, and email address. You may also be asked to answer optional questions;
however, they need not be answered in order to be eligible for the Sweepstakes. Once you have registered for the
Sweepstakes, visit the home page of the Microsite. Each Drawing Period during the
Sweepstakes, a different Yahoo! Answers category will be featured. Take your best shot at answering one of
the questions posed by another user in the featured category for the current
Drawing Period. You will receive
one entry in the Sweepstakes (up to 5 entries per Drawing Period) for each time
(a) you answer a question in the current Drawing Period's featured category,
AND (b) that answer is judged to be the "best answer" by the user
asking the question, prior to July 24, 2006.
For purposes of these Official Rules, “receipt” of an Online Entry
occurs when Yahoo!’s servers: (a) record the entry information upon
clicking the “Submit Entry” button, and b) record a Best Answer
Entry according to the timing and method described in the previous paragraph. In the event of a dispute
regarding the identity of the holder of the Yahoo! ID, dispute will be resolved
in favor of the individual who is both the authorized holder of the Yahoo! ID
and password associated with the account (based upon information submitted at
the time the account was created or updated upon registration for this
Sweepstakes) and, if available, the "authorized email account holder"
of the “alternate email address” provided when the Yahoo! ID was
created. "Authorized email account holder" is defined as the
natural person assigned an email address by an internet access provider, online
service provider, or other organization (i.e., business, educational
institution) responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain
associated with the submitted email address. If there is a discrepancy
between the name of the person listed as the authorized holder of the Yahoo! ID
and the authorized email account holder of the alternate email address provided
when the Yahoo! ID was created, that Yahoo! ID will be disqualified and prize
will be forfeited. If a potentially winning entry is an Online Entry,
potential prize winner may be required to provide Promotion Entities with proof
that he/she is the authorized Account holder as described above.
b. Mail-In Entry: Alternately, to receive the maximum five entries in any
Drawing Period, you may enter by mail without purchase or obligation. Send a postcard on which you have
hand-printed the Drawing Period for which you would like to enter, your first
and last name, address (no P.O. boxes), telephone number, and email address (if
available) to: Ask the Planet Sweepstakes, Mail-In Entries, P.O.
Box 3382, Dept G, St. Cloud, MN 56397-3382. LIMIT ONE MAIL-IN ENTRY
POSTCARD PER DRAWING PERIOD. All
mail-in entries must be postmarked by the last day of the Entry Period and
received no more than seven calendar days later.
The following applies to both methods of entry: LIMIT FIVE ENTRIES PER
PERSON PER DRAWING PERIOD, REGARDLESS OF MEANS OF ENTRY, FOR A TOTAL OF 85
POSSIBLE ENTRIES PER PERSON IN THE SWEEPSTAKES. Although subsequent attempts to enter
may be received, only the first entries received in accordance with the above
limitations from a particular individual will count; subsequent attempts to
enter will be disqualified. The submission
of an entry is solely the responsibility of the entrant. Entries may only be made according to
the methods described above. Proof
of sending (such as an automated computer receipt confirming delivery of email,
"thanks for entering" message, or post office receipt) does not
constitute proof of actual receipt by Yahoo! of an entry for purposes of these
Official Rules. Automated entries
(including but not limited to entries submitted using any bot, script, macro, or sweepstakes service), copies,
third party entries, facsimiles and/or mechanical reproductions are not
permitted and will be disqualified.
Only eligible entries actually received by Promotion Entities before the
end of the specified entry period will be included in the prize drawing. Illegible, unintelligible, incomplete,
garbled, or mutilated entries will be disqualified. All entries become the property of
Yahoo! and none will be acknowledged or returned.
3. Conduct: By entering
the Sweepstakes, entrants agree to comply with and be bound by these Official
Rules. The Official Rules will be
posted at the Sweepstakes website throughout the Sweepstakes. Failure to comply with these Official
Rules may result in disqualification from the Sweepstakes. Entrants further agree to comply with
and be bound by the decisions of the judges, which will be final and binding in
all respects. Yahoo! reserves the
right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be: (a)
tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of
the Sweepstakes or any Yahoo! website; (b) violating the Official Rules; (c)
violating the terms of service, conditions of use and/or general rules or
guidelines of any Yahoo! property or service; or (d) acting in an
unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten
or harass any other person. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER
INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE
OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, YAHOO!
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW.
4. Prizes: For each Drawing Period of the Sweepstakes, a Prize will be awarded as
follows:
Drawing Period 1 (June 13): Education & Reference Category
Prize: One winner will receive
a US$3,000 scholarship fund which will be delivered in the form of check, to be
paid on or before September 25, 2006.
Drawing Period 2 (June 14): Consumer Electronics Category Prize: One winner will receive a Yahoo!
compatible consumer electronics prize package. Prize will be delivered in the form of a
$3,000 gift certificate redeemable towards merchandise from http://www.bestbuy.com.
Selections are subject to product availability. Select products may be limited and while
supplies last. Prize package must
be redeemed online. If winner does
not have online access to redeem gift certificate, printed pages of available
products will be sent to winner.
Gift certificates must be redeemed by October 1, 2007.
Drawing Period 3 (June 15):
Sports Category Prize: One winner will receive a plasma
HDTV. Prize will be delivered in
the form of a $3,000 gift certificate redeemable towards merchandise from http://www.bestbuy.com. Selections are
subject to product availability.
Select products may be limited and while supplies last. Prize package must be redeemed online. If winner does not have online access to
redeem gift certificate, printed pages of available products will be sent to
winner. Gift certificates must be
redeemed by October 1, 2007.
Drawing Period 4 (June 16-18):
Business & Finance Prize: One
winner will receive a US$5,000 expense account, delivered in the form of a
stored value card.
Drawing Period 5 (June 19):
Computer & Internet Category Prize: One winner will
receive a PC laptop computer system, delivered in the form of a $2,600 gift
certificate redeemable towards merchandise from http://www.dell.com. Selections are subject to product
availability. Select products may
be limited and while supplies last.
Prize package must be redeemed online. If winner does not have online access to
redeem gift certificate, printed pages of available products will be sent to
winner. Gift certificates must be
redeemed by October 1, 2007.
Drawing Period 6 (June 20):
Science & Mathematics Category Prize:
One winner will receive a
trip for two (winner and companion) to the NASA Astronaut Training Experience
in
Drawing Period 7 (June 21):
Business & Finance Category Prize:
One winner will receive three 1 oz. bars of gold. Approximate retail
value of Prize: $2,400 (Prize value may vary depending on gold rate at time of
purchase).
Drawing Period 8 (June 22):
Entertainment & Music Category Prize:
One winner will receive a trip for two (winner and companion) to one
of six locations within the
Drawing Period 9 (June 23-25):
Health & Beauty Category Prize:
One winner will receive US$3,000 cash, to be paid on or before
September 25, 2006. Prize will be
delivered in the form of a check.
Drawing Period 10 (June 26): Cars
& Transportation Category Prize:
One winner will receive twelve months of gasoline, approximately $45
worth of gasoline a week for 52 weeks.
Prize will be delivered in the form of a $2,400 stored value card.
Drawing Period 11 (June 27):
Travel Category Prize: One
winner will receive two round trip coach class air transportation for the
winner and companion, valued up to $1,300, from a major U.S. airport close to
winner’s home (carrier and airport to be selected by Sponsor) to a major
airport within the contiguous United States; and $1,200 gift certificate redeemable
towards luggage at http://macys.com. Selections are subject to product
availability. Select products may
be limited and while supplies last.
Gift certificate must be redeemed online. If winner does not have online access to
redeem gift certificate, printed pages of available products will be sent to
winner. Gift certificate must be
redeemed by October 1, 2007. Approximate retail value of Prize: $2,500.
Drawing Period 12 (June 28): News
& Events Category Prize: One winner will receive a trip for two (winner
and companion) to
Drawing Period 13 (June 29): Arts
& Humanities Category Prize: One
winner will receive twelve months of spa services, delivered in the form of a
$2,400 gift certificate redeemable towards merchandise from http://www.spafinder.com. Selections are subject to product
availability. Select products may
be limited and while supplies last.
Prize package must be redeemed online. If winner does not have online access to
redeem gift certificate, printed pages of available products will be sent to
winner. Gift certificates must be
redeemed by October 1, 2007. Approximate retail value of Prize: $2,400.
Drawing Period 14 (June 30-July 4): Environment Prize: One winner will receive a 2006
Drawing Period 15
(July 5): Social Science Category Prize: One winner
will receive a trip for two (winner and companion) to
Drawing Period 16 (July 6): Family & Relationships
Category Prize: One Prize winner will receive a trip
for two (winner and companion) to
Drawing Period 17 (July 7-10):
News & Events Prize: One prizewinner will receive US$1,000 cash, to be
paid on or before September 25, 2006.
Prize will be delivered in the form of a check.
The following applies to all prizes that include travel: Except as specifically provided herein, travel prize
packages do not include
taxes, insurance, telephone charges, personal expenses, travel arrangements
between winner’s home and U.S. airport of departure, ground
transportation, gratuities, passenger facility charges (PFCs), departure taxes,
incidental charges, or any other item not specifically described in these
Official Rules, and all expenses for any of the foregoing are the sole responsibility
of the prize winner. For travel
packages with a rental car, rental car is subject to standard rental conditions
at the time of rental. All rental car drivers must be 25 years of age or older
with a valid driver's license and major credit card. Blackout dates may apply.
Any optional car rentals drop off, upgrade, LDW insurance, taxes, and/or
optional fuel charges are the sole responsibility of the prizewinner. If winner
does not meet the age eligibility requirement for the rental car, he/she will be
awarded the cash equivalent. All liability for the rental car shall be the sole
responsibility of the winner. Winners will be required to choose three desired departure
dates, in order of preference, and will be notified of confirmation within 30
days of travel. Once confirmed, trip dates and
travel accommodations cannot be changed by winner; however, travel is subject
to availability, blackout dates, and/or change due to circumstances beyond
‘Promotion Entities' control.
Winner and travel companion
must travel on the same dates, itinerary, and fare class. All travel in this Sweepstakes must be
completed by October 1, 2007.
Sponsor reserves the right to substitute ground transportation for air
transportation depending on winner's proximity to prize destination. No extensions will be permitted, and any
unused travel will be forfeited. Prizes cannot
be used in conjunction with any other promotion or offer and may not be
separated. All tickets issued in
conjunction with travel prizes are
not eligible for frequent flyer miles, and no code-share flights may be
used.
The following applies to all prizes: Approximate retail value of all prizes: $69,025. Limit one prize per winner. Prizes may not
be transferred or assigned except by Sponsor. Prizes cannot be used in conjunction
with any other promotion or offer and may not be separated. Only listed prizes will be awarded and
no substitutions, cash equivalents or redemptions will be made, except that
Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any prize package with another prize
of equal or greater value in the event that the advertised prize (or any
component thereof) is not available.
Reporting and payment of all applicable taxes, fees, and/or
surcharges, if any, arising out of, or resulting from, acceptance or use of a
prize, are the sole responsibility of the winner of that prize. Sponsor expressly disclaims any
responsibility or liability for injury or loss to any person or property
relating to the delivery and/or subsequent use of the prizes awarded. Sponsor makes no representations or
warranties concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize
awarded. Restrictions, conditions,
and limitations apply. Promotion
Entities will not replace any lost or stolen prize items.
5. Winner Selection and Notification:
PRIZE
DRAWINGS: Potential Prizewinners will be selected in a series of random
drawings on or around August 14, 2006.
For each Drawing Period, a winner will be selected from among all
eligible Online Entries received during that Drawing Period, and all eligible
Mail-In Entries received for inclusion in the specified Drawing Period that are
postmarked by the close of the Sweepstakes Period and received no more than 7
calendar days later.
Odds of
winning any particular drawing depend on the number of eligible entries
received for inclusion in that drawing.
All prize drawings will be conducted by an independent judging organization whose decisions are
final. Travel Prize winners must be 18 years of age at the time of entry to be eligible. Travel
companions must be 18 years of age or older at the time trip is taken in
order to accompany winner on trip.
Potential winners will be notified within seven days after drawing date via
email,
6. General Conditions: This Sweepstakes is governed by the laws
of the
By entering, participants: (a) release and hold harmless Promotion Entities,
and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers,
employees, and agents from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or
damage of any kind to persons, including death, or property damage resulting in
whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse
or use of any prize, participation in this promotion, or while traveling to,
preparing for or participating in any prize-related activity, and (b) grant to
Yahoo! the right to use and publish their proper name and state online and in
print, or any other media, in connection with the Sweepstakes.
Except where prohibited by law, a winner’s acceptance of a prize
constitutes permission for Promotion Entities to use such winner’s name,
address (city and state only), statements, photograph, voice and/or likeness
for any advertising and promotional purposes relating to the Sweepstakes
without further compensation, consideration, review or consent.
7. Limitations of Liability: Promotion Entities assume no responsibility for lost, late, misdirected,
illegible, or mutilated entries, or for theft, destruction or unauthorized
access to, or alteration of, entries.
Promotion
Entities are
not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by
website users, any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized
in the Sweepstakes, or any technical or human error which may occur in the
processing of submissions in the Sweepstakes. Promotion Entities assume no responsibility for any
error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or
transmission, failures or technical malfunction of any telephone network or
lines, computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment,
software, email, players or browsers, whether on account of technical problems,
traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or on account of any
combination of the foregoing.
Promotion Entities are not responsible for any injury or damage to
participants or to any computer related to or resulting from participating or
downloading materials in this Sweepstakes.
If, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as
planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized
intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control
of Promotion
Entities
which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or
proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Yahoo! reserves the right at its sole
discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and select
winners from among all eligible entries received prior to the cancellation.
8. Privacy: By entering
the Sweepstakes, you agree to Yahoo!’s use of your personal information
as described in Yahoo!’s Privacy Policy, located at http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/us/promo/index.html.
9. Winners List: The names of the prize winners may be
obtained after August 28, 2006 and no later than November 26, 2006 by sending a
self-addressed stamped envelope to: Ask the Planet, Winners List Requests,
10. Official Rules: For a copy of the Official Rules,
print this web page or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Ask the Planet, Official Rules Requests,
11. Sponsor: Yahoo! Inc.,