Metacafe "MTV's Virtual Worlds Virtual Dance Off"
Official Rules
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A purchase will not increase your chances of winning.
Void Where Restricted or Prohibited by Law

Contest Summary

Thank you for your interest in the MTV's Virtual Worlds Virtual Dance Off ("Contest"). The Contest offers groups of participants an opportunity to create a virtual world video showing choreographed dance routines and using new dance moves performed by your computer avatars in MTV's Virtual Worlds -- a virtual, on-line community owned and operated by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. ("MTVN") -- and submit it to Metacafe.com (the "Metacafe Site") for viewing by the public. To participate in the Contest, follow the instructions below to get access to the MTV's Virtual Worlds "Machinima Tool", your tool for creating your MTV's Virtual Worlds video. Form a group of 3 to 8 avatars in MTV's Virtual Worlds and create your video showing the avatars performing a dance routine that your group creates, using one of the five (5) specific songs provided by MTVN in MTV's Virtual Worlds at http://content.vmtv.com/dancecrew/danceoff.html solely for use in connection with this Contest, and upload it to Metacafe.com between 12:00:01 a.m. PT on February 15, 2008 and 11:59:59 p.m. PT on, March 14, 2008.

MTVN will select twenty (20) submissions from among the videos meeting the qualification standards of the Contest to become finalists (the "Finalists"). The Finalists will be selected by a panel of MTVN representatives, in their sole discretion, on or about March 31, 2008 based on the following categories: choreography, dancing, technical execution and overall Impression (with an emphasis on the first three categories), each as described below. The Finalists' videos will be posted on http://content.vmtv.com/cgi-bin/apps/virtualdanceoff.cgi, and the MTV's Virtual Worlds community will be able to vote in MTV's Virtual Worlds for the "Grand Prize Winner", "First Place Winner", "Second Place Winner" and two (2) "Third Place Winners" from March 31, 2008 until 11:59:59 p.m. PT on April 14, 2008 (the "Finalist Voting Period"). The Grand Prize Winner will receive a virtual poster of the dance group which will include their name, image and prize placed and 6,000 MTV$* for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. The First Place Winner will receive virtual "nerd" glasses (for female avatars only) or virtual earrings (for male avatars only) and a virtual poster of the dance group for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. The Second Place Winner will receive virtual sunglasses and a virtual poster of the dance group which will include their name, image and prize placed for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. Two (2) Third Place Winners will receive a virtual poster of the dance group which will include their name, image and prize placed for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. Each member of a winning group will receive the applicable prizes above. To receive the prizes above, upon request by MTVN, a winner must complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility within five business days, as described further below. In addition to the prizes above, each participant submitting a video for the Contest will also receive a virtual hand-held boombox for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds.

*What are MTV$ (or Virtual MTV Bucks) MTV$ are fictional virtual currency for use solely in MTV's Virtual Worlds to purchase various goods and services made available in MTV's Virtual Worlds. MTV$ are not redeemable for any sum of money and can be used solely in accordance with the Terms of Use for MTV's Virtual Worlds (http://content.vmtv.com/mtv_central/termsofuse.html).

This summary is not a complete description of the Official Rules. Please read these Official Rules carefully before entering the Contest. In order to submit a video for the Contest, participants must form groups of 3-8 avatars in MTV's Virtual Worlds (as described below). Each dance group submitting a video acknowledges that these Official Rules apply to all of the members of such dance group.

1. Eligibility. The Contest is open only to legal residents of the fifty states of the United States and the District of Columbia who are 14 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees of Metacafe, Inc. ("Metacafe"), MTVN and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, parent companies, distributors, divisions, agencies and third party fulfillment agencies (the "Sponsors"), as well as the immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings and children) of those persons, are not eligible to enter the Contest. If you have not reached the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction of residence at time of entry, you must have your parent's or legal guardian's knowledge and consent to enter the Contest. The Contest is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law.

By participating in this Contest, entrants: (a) agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the interpretations of these Official Rules by the Sponsors, and by the decisions of Metacafe, which are final in all matters relating to the Contest; (b) agree to release and hold harmless Sponsors and their respective agents, employees, officers, directors, successors and assigns, against any and all claims, injury or damages arising out of or relating to participation in this Contest and/or the use or misuse or redemption of the prize(s), and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, trademark infringement or any other intellectual property related cause of action; and (c) acknowledge compliance with these Official Rules.

2. Video Requirements. To be eligible to enter the Contest, your video must meet the following requirements, and by submitting your video to the Contest, you represent that your video meets these requirements (any video you submit is referred to as a "Video" or "Videos"):

  1. It must be an animated short film set in MTV's Virtual Worlds. (To find out how to make your Video and to get the necessary tools, (a) visit MTV's Virtual Worlds website located at http://content.vmtv.com/dancecrew/danceoff.html and follow the instructions to become a registered user of MTV's Virtual Worlds; (b) use the "Machinima Tool" available to registered users of MTV's Virtual Worlds to create the Video; and (c) add music using one of the specific songs, which must be used in its entirety, provided in MTV's Virtual Worlds identified for use in the Contest (the "Permitted Music")) (all materials provided by MTVN, including, without limitation, the Permitted Music and the machinima for use in the Videos, the "MTVN Materials");
  2. It must be at least sixty (60) seconds but no longer than ninety (90) seconds in total running time; and there must be choreographed dancing by the avatars throughout the duration of the song;
  3. It must not contain any music other than the Permitted Music;
  4. It must feature a dance group of 3-8 avatars;
  5. It must feature at least one of the new released dance moves on MTV's Virtual Worlds (to see the new released dance moves log in to MTV's Virtual Worlds and click on the "Dance" emoticon
  6. It must meet the requirements of these Official Rules;
  7. It must meet the Metacafe Terms and Conditions and the MTV's Virtual Worlds Terms of Use and User Content Submission Agreement;
  8. It must be your original work and must not contain the images, music, choreography, words or ideas of any other person, except for the use of the MTVN Materials as specifically set forth in these Official Rules;
  9. It must not violate or infringe any third party's rights, including, without limitation, copyright, trademark, right of publicity, right of privacy or trade secret, and must not in any way violate applicable laws and regulations;
  10. It must not contain any content or performance that is sexually explicit, offensive, illegal, pornographic or obscene;
  11. It must not contain libelous or defamatory materials or statements (including words or symbols that are widely considered offensive to individuals of a certain race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic group);
  12. It must not include threats to any person, place, business or group;
  13. It must not contain any commercial content that promotes any product or service or contain or reference any third party names, logos, service marks or trademarks, trade names or trade dress;
  14. It must not have been previously submitted to any other website or entered in any competition or contest; and
  15. It must not contain or depict any of the following:
  • Gratuitous violence, guns or other imagery or gestures of weapons. Violence may not be used to stimulate the audience or to invite imitation, nor may it be shown or offered as an acceptable solution to problem or conflict;
  • License plates, phone numbers, personal addresses-physical or email or other personally identifiable information;
  • Hard liquor use or product images;
  • Illegal drug or alcohol use or abuse;
  • Conduct or activities in violation of these Official Rules; and
  • Any other content, display, materials and/or images that is or could be considered in appropriate, unsuitable or offensive, as determined by Sponsor's in their sole discretion.
  • Offensive language or swear words


MTVN owns all right, title and interest in, or has the right to use, the MTVN Materials. All contents of Videos, with the exception of any incorporated MTVN Materials, must be completely original to the entrant and must not have been taken or composed in whole or in part from any other source other than entrant, including, without limitation, all graphical, video and musical elements, imagery and artwork appearing in the Videos and must be free and clear of any liens or claims with respect to the use of the Videos in the manner authorized herein, including, but not limited to, claims in connection with music synchronization rights, and the use authorized herein must not give rise to any claims or infringement, invasion of privacy or publicity or claims for any payment whatsoever including, but not limited to claims for re-use fees or residuals.

Videos submitted by eligible participants as described in Section 1 that meet the criteria of this Section 2 are referred to as "Qualifying Videos." The Sponsors shall have sole discretion in determining whether a Video meets these criteria. All entries that do not meet these requirements will not be eligible for the Contest. The Sponsors may request additional documentation to determine whether a video complies with these Official Rules.

ACCEPTANCE AND POSTING OF YOUR VIDEO SUBMISSION ON WWW.METACAFE.COM DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT YOUR VIDEO SUBMISSION IS ELIGIBLE FOR AND ENTERED IN THE CONTEST.

3. How to Enter: To enter the Contest, participants must become registered users of MTV's Virtual Worlds (see rule 1 in Section 2 above for details) and create an official "group" within MTV's Virtual Worlds consisting of 3 - 8 members. The following is how to set up a "group" in MTV's Virtual Worlds:

  • Go to MTV Central
  • Click the "Groups" button
  • Click "Create a Group" under the entertainment section
  • Type in your group name and group description
  • Click "Yes" on the "Would you like your group listed" section
  • Select a category for your group and click "Create group"
  • On the next page under permissions, make sure that "Be accepted automatically" is UNCHECKED
  • Save and invite your group members

Once you have set up a "group" on MTV's Virtual Worlds, you can accept other members as follows:

  • Go to MTV Central
  • Click the "My Profile" button
  • Under the club section, click the name of your group
  • Click "Applications"
  • Accept or decline applicants and click "Submit"


After your group has created your Video using the MTV's Virtual Worlds "Machinima Tool", post your Video to the MTV's Virtual Worlds Dance Off page of Metacafe [www.metacafe.com/virtualworlds] between 12:00:01 a.m. PT on February 15, 2008 and 11:59:59 p.m. PT on March 14, 2008 (the "Submission Period"). Entries submitted after the close of the Submission Period will not be judged and will not be eligible for prizes. To submit a Video, you must be a registered member of Metacafe. Users must register with Metacafe under the same or similar dance group name they have chosen within MTV's Virtual Worlds. There is no cost associated with registering with Metacafe. Click here to register with Metacafe. Once registered, upload your Video at this page [www.metacafe.com/virtualworlds]. By registering with Metacafe and uploading your Video for participation in the Contest, you are agreeing to these Official Rules, the Metacafe Terms and Conditions and the Metacafe Privacy Policy. In addition, by submitting a Video to the Contest, you are agreeing to MTVN's Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and User Content Submission Agreement.

Once you have uploaded your Video to Metacafe, you MUST email vMTV (MTV_5@vmtv.com) and include your official dance group name, dance group url, avatar name of each group member and the URLs to your uploaded videos on Metacafe. You must use vMTV email. NOTE: uploading a video to Metacafe does not guarantee that it will be accepted. In order to be accepted, it must fully comply with these official rules.

By submitting your Video for the Contest, you (and each member of your dance group) grant to MTVN and Metacafe and their respective affiliates, a perpetual, royalty-free license (with the right to sublicense) to exhibit, broadcast, copy, reproduce, encode, compress, encrypt, incorporate data into, edit, rebroadcast, transmit, record, publicly perform, create derivative works of, distribute and synchronize in time related to visual elements, and/or any portions or excerpts thereof and/or otherwise exploit the Submitted Video (subject to the rights of MTVN in any elements included therein) in any manner, an unlimited number of times, in any and all media whether now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world, in perpetuity including, but not limited to, the right to make any and all uses thereof, or for purposes of advertising or trade without notice and without any compensation, royalty, accounting, liability or obligations of any kind to you (or any member of your dance group).

In addition, by downloading any of the Permitted Music, you agree to only use such music solely for use in creating a Video for the Contest.

4. Finalist Selection.

All Qualifying Videos received during the Submission Period will be posted on www.metacafe.com/virtualworlds for public viewing. Such Qualifying Videos will be judged by a panel of judges comprised of MTVN representatives (the "Judging Panel"). The Judging Panel will choose the top twenty (20) of the Qualifying Videos as the finalists (the "Finalist Videos") in their sole discretion. In choosing the Finalist Videos, the Judging Panel will base their decision upon the following criteria: choreography, dancing, creativity/originality, technical execution (editing, graphics, camera, etc.) and overall impression (overall quality and entertainment value), with an emphasis on the first three criteria. The Finalist Videos will be identified on March 31, 2008 in MTV's Virtual Worlds. Each of the Finalist Videos will be available for viewing and voting (pursuant to Section 5 below) at http://content.vmtv.com/cgi-bin/apps/virtualdanceoff.cgi (the "Voting Webpage").

The final determination of the Finalist Videos and the application of the judging criteria shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of the Judging Panel. To the extent permitted by law, the Sponsors and the Judging Panel disclaim any liability from and entrants, whether or not a Winner, agree to waive any claim against Sponsors and the Judging Panel relating to the judging or awarding process.

5. Voting Rules For Prize Winners: Members of MTV's Virtual Worldswill be eligible to vote for their favorite Finalist Videos on the Judging Webpage. To vote, a user can click on the screenshot showing the particular Finalist Video and then vote for such Finalist Video directly on the Judging Webpage. The dance group with the Finalist Video that receives the highest number of votes will be the grand prize winner (the "Grand Prize Winner"). The groups with the Finalist Video receiving the second and third highest number of votes, respectively, will be the first place prize winner (the "First Place Prize Winner") and the second place prize winner, respectively (the "Second Place Prize Winner"). The groups with the Finalist Video receiving the fourth and fifth highest number of votes, respectively, will each be the third place prize winners (the "Third Place Prize Winners"). Each of the foregoing winners shall be referred to herein as a "Winner".

In the event of a tie to determine any of the Winners, the Judging Panel, in their sole discretion, shall determine the specific Winner. Such final determination of ties shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of the Judging Panel and based on best choreography, dancing, creativity/originality, technical execution (editing, graphics, camera, etc.) and overall impression

To the extent permitted by law, the Sponsors and the Judging Panel disclaim any liability from and entrants, whether or not a Winner, agree to waive any claim against Sponsors and Judges relating to the judging or awarding process. The Judging Panel reserves the right to extend the Submission Period and/or the Finalist Voting Period or not to award the Prizes (as defined below) if they determine, in their sole discretion, that entries received did not meet the qualification standards based on the judging criteria.

6. Winner Notification. Each potential Winner in each Dance Group will be notified by MTVN via vMTV email from MTV's Virtual Worlds on or about April 15 2008 .A potential Winner will be disqualified if (a) the potential Winner does not respond within 30 business days to an email notification email sent by VMTV, (b) he/she is found to be ineligible, (c) he/she cannot or does not comply with these Official Rules, (d) he/she does not return the Affidavit/Release, if applicable, described in Section 7 below (if requested by MTVN) or (e) the Prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable. If a Winner is disqualified, the Judging Panel, in their sole discretion, will select an alternative Winner using the same judging criteria set forth in Section 5. [note: not posting names of winners until we have confirmed they are accepting the prize]

7. Affidavit of Eligibility. If requested by MTVN, in its sole discretion, each potential Winner (including each member of the dance group) will be required to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility and Release (together, the "Affidavit/Release)" which will include, among other things, (a) representations regarding your eligibility to participate in the Contest and the Video's compliance with the requirements of these Official Rules, (b) a release of Sponsors' and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, members, affiliated companies and subsidiaries, from any and all liability, loss, claims, demands, and causes of action for personal injury and/or damage, theft, loss, or any other harm suffered in connection with this Contest and for any claim based on publicity rights, defamation, invasion or privacy, copyright infringement, trademark infringement or any other personal or property rights of any party or any other intellectual property related cause of action and, or the use/misuse or acceptance of any Prize to be eligible for the Prize, and (c) permission of the Sponsors to use your name, likeness, image and other attributes for promotional purposes as described in Section 10. If you have not reached the age of majority in your jurisdiction or residence at the time of entry, your Affidavit of Eligibility must also be signed by your parent or legal guardian. You will also be required to provide your social security number on a Form W-9, or any equivalent form required by any other jurisdiction, in order to be eligible to receive any Prize having a value of $600 or greater or, if required by any jurisdiction, any lesser amount. The Affidavit/Release must be signed and returned by the potential winner within five (5) days of receipt or else the potential winner may be disqualified and an alternate potential Winner may be selected at the Sponsors' sole discretion.

8. Prizes. All prizes will be distributed at a date and time to be announced after the end of the Contest period on http://content.vmtv.com/dancecrew/danceoff.html The Grand Prize Winner will receive a virtual poster of the dance group and 6,000 MTV$* for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. The First Place Winner will receive virtual "nerd" glasses (for women only) or virtual earrings (for men only) and a virtual poster of the dance group for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. The Second Place Winner will receive virtual sunglasses and a virtual poster of the dance group for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. Two (2) Third Place Winners will receive a virtual poster of the dance group for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. Each member of a winning group will receive the applicable prizes above. In addition to the prizes above, each participant submitting a video for the Contest will also receive a virtual hand-held boombox for use in MTV's Virtual Worlds. Each of the prizes for this Contest shall be referred to herein as "Prizes".

*What are MTV$ (or Virtual MTV Bucks) MTV$ are fictional virtual currency for use solely in MTV's Virtual Worlds to purchase various goods and services made available in MTV's Virtual Worlds. MTV$ are not redeemable for any sum of money and can be used solely in accordance with the Terms of Use for MTV's Virtual Worlds (http://content.vmtv.com/mtv_central/termsofuse.html).

All federal, state, local or other taxes (if applicable) are the sole responsibility of the Winner. The Winner of any prize valued at $600 or greater will receive an IRS Form 1099 (and any other required tax disclosure documentation) from the Sponsors for the value of the Prize for the calendar year in which the Prize is awarded. No substitution, transfer or cash equivalent of a Prize or any portion thereof is permitted, except by Sponsors, in which case a prize of equal or greater value may be awarded. at the designated time.

The ARV of the prize for the Grand Prize Winner is subject to change based on current market conditions at the time of Prize fulfillment. Any difference between the ARV and the actual value, if any, will not be rewarded. Arrangements for the fulfillment of the Prizes will be made on or aroundApril 10, 2008 and such date is subject to change in Sponsors' sole discretion.

9. Integrity of Contest. Use of any device to automate a vote is prohibited, including but not limited to software-generated, robotic, programmed, script, macro or other automated votes. The Sponsors reserve the right at their sole discretion to disqualify any individual they suspect or find: (i) to have used a software-generated, robotic, programmed, script, macro or other automated online or text message entry; (ii) to have tampered with the voting process; (iii) to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or (iv) to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. Any person attempting to defraud the Sponsors or tamper with this Contest in any way will not be eligible for the prize and may be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by law.

If, for any reason, any aspect of this Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical or system failures or disruption, 'Acts of God' or terrorist attacks, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsors which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the voting process, or if, for any reason, the Sponsors deem it necessary, the Sponsors reserve the right at their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and/or determine the winner using an alternative method that the Sponsors determine to be appropriate and fair, in their discretion.

10. Publicity. Except where prohibited by law, each Winner's acceptance of a Prize constitutes permission for the Sponsors to use such Winner's name, address (city and state), photo, likeness, avatar, avatar name, biographical information, statement and voice for promotional purposes worldwide and in all forms of media (including posting on any web site), in perpetuity, without further notice or compensation.

11. Compliance with Rules; Disclaimers; Limitations on Liability of Contest Sponsors. This Contest is subject to these Official Rules and all applicable federal, state and local laws (collectively "Rules and Laws"). By entering the Contest, you agree to all of the following:

  1. 1. to be bound by these Rules and Laws, as well as the decisions of the Judging Panel which are final and binding in all respects;
  2. 2. to indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsors from any and all liability resulting or arising from the use of your Video submission, your participation in this Contest and acceptance of any Prize;
  3. 3. to release all rights to bring any claim, action or proceedings against the Sponsors; and
  4. 4. to waive any right to claim any ambiguity or error in the Official Rules.
The Sponsors are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: (i) difficulty accessing the internet; (ii) errors in transmission; (iii) service outage or delays or for any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email or players on account of any technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site or combination thereof: (iv) injury or damage to you or to any other person's computer or mobile phone related to or resulting from participating in, or downloading materials or software, or attempts to participate in or download materials or software related to this Contest or (v) failures or malfunctions of phones (including wireless phones/handsets), phone lines or telephone systems, cellular equipment towers, telephone systems or wireless services or other communications malfunctions. The Sponsors are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: (i) any condition caused by events beyond the control of the Sponsors that may cause the video rankings to be disrupted or corrupted; (ii) typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering or the administration of the Official Voting Rules or (iii) any errors in the announcement of a potential Winner.

Participants in the Contest assume all liability for any injury or damages caused or claimed to be caused by his or her participation in the Contest, and release the Sponsors from any such claim or liability.

12. Dispute Resolution. Any dispute regarding the Contest or these Official Rules shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to any conflict of interest principles. By entering this Contest, you agree to waive your right to a trial by jury and you agree instead to submit any dispute to exclusive and binding arbitration in Santa Clara County, California in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The prevailing party shall be entitled to actual damages only and shall not be entitled to any consequential damages or attorneys' fees.

13. Official Contest Rules/Winners' Names. For an additional copy of these Official Rules or the name of the winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Metacafe, Inc., 547 Hamilton Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301. All requests must be received by May 14, 2008. Vermont residents may omit postage if requesting a set of Official Rules.

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