Live chat contest rules

WSLS RODEO CHAT SWEEPSTAKES OFFICIAL RULES

1. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. 

2. The WSLS Rodeo Chat Sweepstakes is sponsored by Media General Operations, Inc. d/b/a WSLS-TV (“WSLS”), Salem Civic Center, Kroger and Valleydale (collectively referred to as “Sponsors”).  The geographic scope of this sweepstakes is Virginia.

3. Sweepstakes is subject to all federal, state and local laws.  Void where prohibited by law.  By entering, entrants agree to these Official Rules. Limit one (1) entry per person. 

4. Sweepstakes begins on January 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”), and ends on January 1, 2010 at 7:25 p.m. EST.  Entry deadline is January 1, 2010 at 7:25 p.m. EST.  WSLS’ computer is the official time-keeping device for this Sweepstakes promotion. You must first register to participate in the Live Chat, which is the only method of entry. Registration is free.  You must be present in the Live Chat when your name or User ID is announced to win.

ELIGIBILITY

5. All entrants must be eighteen (18) years old and legal residents of Virginia at the time of entry.

6. Employees of Media General Operations, Inc. d/b/a WSLS-TV, Salem Civic Center, Kroger and Valleydale and the members of their immediate families (defined as spouse, parents, siblings or children) and households (whether or not related), are not eligible to enter or win. 

PRIZES

7. Grand Prize (2):  Four (4) General Admission tickets to the Stampede Championship Rodeo at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia, on any one of the following dates: January 8-10, 2010.  Approximate Retail Value:  $68.00.

8. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries received.

PRIZE RESTRICTIONS

9. All details of all prizes shall be at WSLS’ sole discretion.  Winners assume sole responsibility for all costs associated with the prizes not explicitly outlined above, including without limitation, all federal, state and local taxes (if any), fees, surcharges on a prize, all hotel accommodations, meals, beverages, concessions, tips, gratuities, sightseeing, souvenirs, transportation, parking and incidentals.  Use of event tickets is further subject to rules for event venue.

10. Prizes are not redeemable for cash and may not be sold, bartered or auctioned.  Prizes may not be transferred or substituted except that WSLS in its discretion may substitute a prize, or portion thereof, with a prize or portion of equal or greater value if it deems necessary.  Any such changes will be announced. 

11. Any portion of any prize not used by any winner is forfeit and no cash substitute will be offered or permitted.  All prizes being offered are provided “as is” with no warranty or guarantee either express or implied by Sponsors.  Merchandise prizes carry no warranty other than that offered by manufacturers.  Sponsors have neither made nor are responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize, including but not limited to its quality, mechanical condition or fitness for a particular purpose.  Other restrictions apply.

TO ENTER

12. Entries will be accepted beginning January 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. EST and ending January 1, 2010 at 7:25 p.m. EST (“Entry Period”).  To enter, you must first be registered to participate in our Live Chat.  If you have not registered previously, visit http://www2.wsls.com/sls/online/7pmshow and follow the one-time registration instructions, which will require you to select or input the following required information: User ID, Password, and E-mail address.  Registration is free.  Please note that your computer must have javascript enabled to permit the chat window to open and your computer must have flash player installed. 

13. Once you have registered, simply log-in to join our Live Chat sessions by clicking on the designated link for Live Chat and entering your User ID and Password during the Entry Period. 

14. Limit one (1) entry per person. Additional entries received from any such person thereafter will be void.  Uses of automated devices are not valid for entry. 

15. Registrations must include a valid e-mail address for the entrant.  In the event of a dispute as to the identity or eligibility of a winner based on an e-mail address, the winning entry will be deemed made by the “Authorized Account Holder” of the e-mail address used at time of registration. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person, 18 years of age or older, who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, education institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Entrants who fail to provide accurate and complete information during registration will not be eligible to win and will not be notified by WSLS.  All registration forms become the property of WSLS and will not be returned or acknowledged. 

16. To be eligible for the drawing, you must completely log into the chat room no later than January 1, 2010 at 7:25 p.m. EST and you must be logged in and present in the “Live Chat Room” at the time your User ID is announced in order to win.

17. The information that you provide in connection with the Sweepstakes may be used by WSLS in accordance with its Privacy Policy, which is found at http://www2.wsls.com/sls/site/terms_and_conditions/ and which may be updated from time to time.

PRIZE DRAWING

18. On January 1, 2010, or within a reasonable time thereafter, WSLS or its designee will randomly choose the User ID of one (1) participant from all timely and currently logged in Live Chat room participants.  Subject to verification of eligibility, the person whose User ID is so drawn will be declared the winner. 

WINNER NOTIFICATION

19. WSLS will announce the User ID of the potential winner in the chat room immediately following selection.  Potential winner will have 3 minutes to respond to the announcement to remain eligible for the prize. Failure to do so will result in disqualification, forfeiture of prize and selection of an alternate winner from remaining timely and currently logged in Chat Room participants.  In addition, potential winner will be required to contact WSLS via e-mail or telephone to confirm eligibility and arrange for delivery of prizes within twenty-four (24) hours of his/her User ID being announced during the Live Chat or winner will be disqualified. 

20. Winners may be asked to provide WSLS with the following contact information to verify eligibility: (i) name, (ii) address, (iii) telephone number, (iv) e-mail address, and/or (v) date of birth.  Winners may be asked to provide WSLS with valid identification and execute an affidavit of eligibility and, where legal, a publicity release.  Acceptable identification includes a valid driver’s license or other valid picture ID showing name and address.  The winners may also be required to sign other legal documents, including tax forms and a release supplied by WSLS that, among other disclaimers, releases Sponsors and a range of subsidiaries, directors, agents, agencies, affiliates, franchisees, promoters, officers, directors, employees and related persons from any and all liability related to this Sweepstakes and the receipt and use of any prize.  Upon verification of eligibility, the name of winner may be posted on the WSLS’ website at http://www2.wsls.com/sls/online/7pmshow.

21. In the event that any potential winner fails to satisfy any eligibility or verification requirement herein, declines to accept the prize, or is otherwise determined to be ineligible, WSLS in its discretion may disqualify that individual and an alternate winner will be chosen by random drawing to be held as soon as reasonably practicable after initial winner is determined to be ineligible.  Alternate winners are subject to all eligibility requirements and restrictions of these Official Rules. Sponsor will conduct no more than one (1) alternate drawing.  If WSLS is unable to confirm an eligible winner for after one (1) alternate drawing, no further drawings will be conducted and the prize will not be awarded.

PUBLICITY RELEASE

22. By accepting a prize, winners agree to award WSLS the right to publicize their names, photographs (including the use and appearance of winner’s photograph on WSLS’ web page), likenesses, biographical information, e-mail address, voices and details of winning for purposes of this and future promotions without further compensation, except where prohibited.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

23. Entrants agree that Media General Operations, Inc. d/b/a WSLS-TV, Salem Civic Center, Kroger and Valleydale and a range of subsidiaries, directors, agents, agencies, affiliates, franchisees, promoters, officers, directors, employees and related persons (a) are not responsible for lost, interrupted, or unavailable network, server, or other connections, or for any failed telephone or computer hardware or software, or for any lost, misdirected, postage-due, illegible, mutilated or damaged entry forms, or for any failed, delayed, misdirected, corrupted, or garbled transmissions or errors of any kind, whether human, mechanical, or electronic, or for entries that for any reason are not received by WSLS by the deadlines stated above; (b) are not responsible for any injury or damage to any computer, modem or other electrical device as a result of participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading of any software or materials; (c) are released from any and all liability related to this Sweepstakes and the receipt and use of any prize; and (d) will not be responsible for the inability to select winners because of postal failure, equipment failure, or data storage failure. 

MISCELLANEOUS

24. All federal, state and local laws apply.  WSLS shall be entitled to interpret these Official Rules as needed — including but not limited to rules regarding entries, selection of winners, deadlines, restrictions on prizes, and eligibility — and all of its decisions are final.  By entering, entrants agree to these Official Rules. 

25. WSLS reserves the right to cancel, terminate or suspend this Sweepstakes or any part of this Sweepstakes should any non-authorized intervention, network failure, information storage failure, telecommunications failure, malfunction, or other causes beyond its control, corrupt or impair the security, administration, fairness and/or operation of this Sweepstakes as determined by WSLS in its sole discretion, at which time, WSLS will select the winner by conducting a random drawing from among all non-suspect entries received at the time of the Sweepstakes cancellation, termination or suspension.

26. WSLS reserves the right to prohibit any entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes if, at its sole discretion, WSLS finds such entrant to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes, or if such entrant repeatedly shows a disregard for, or attempts to circumvent, these Official Rules, or acts: (a) in a manner WSLS determines to be not fair or equitable; (b) with an intent to annoy, threaten or harass any other entrant or Sponsors; or (c) in any other disruptive manner.  Any person attempting to defraud or tamper with this Sweepstakes in any way will be ineligible for prizes and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  Tampering includes attempting to enter more than the number of entries permitted by these rules including by using an automated device or by using more than one e-mail address.  Any failure by the WSLS to enforce any of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of such Official Rules.

27. WSLS reserves the right to correct typographical or clerical errors in any sweepstakes-related materials.  No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded.  In the event that production, technical, seeding, programming or any other reasons cause more than the stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available and/or claimed, WSLS reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing from among all legitimate, un-awarded, eligible prize claims.

DISPUTES

28. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants agree that (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses. 

29. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrants, WSLS and any other Sponsors in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Any legal proceedings arising out of this Sweepstakes or relating to these Official Rules shall be instituted only in the federal or state courts located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, County of Roanoke and the parties consent to jurisdiction therein with respect to any legal proceedings or disputes of whatever nature arising under or relating to these rules. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.

WINNER’S LIST/OFFICIAL RULES COPY

30. For a copy of the Official Rules or the final Winner’s List, visit http://www2.wsls.com/sls/online/7pmshow or mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: WSLS Rodeo Chat Sweepstakes c/o WSLS, , 401 3rd Street SW, Roanoke, VA 24011, specifying either “Winner’s List Request” or “Official Rules Request.”  Winner’s name will be available after January 3, 2010, 2009.