Below are the official rules for the Davis Law Group (DLG) Viral Video Scholarship Contest.
Video Element Requirements:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Failure to follow the exact video element requirements will result in disqualification.
1. The subject/idea/theme of all submitted videos must be: Public Safety
2. Style: Viral video/public service announcement.
3. All submissions must be no more than 240 seconds in total length (content, credits, etc.).
4. All submissions must contain the “contest identification” video at the beginning of the main video content. The video can be downloaded from this website. Download contest packet for video and other contest information
5. Any additional credits, thank you, etc. must be displayed AFTER the required “contest identification” video mentioned above.
Video Guidelines:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Failure to follow the exact video guidelines will result in disqualification.
6. The contestant is 100% responsible for all production costs of their video.
7. The contestant is 100% responsible for the creation of a video that does not infringe on any copyright, does not break any local, state, or federal communication laws. The Davis Law Group will not be held responsible for any laws broken, violations, etc.
8. All submissions will become the property of DLG and the appropriate sponsor.
9. Any submission deemed inappropriate or unsuitable, in DLG’s sole discretion, will be disqualified.
10. The submission must be the original work of the contestant.
11. The submission must be uploaded in accordance with the specifications set forth in the contest rules as displayed on the DLG website.
12. Any submission or portion thereof that is, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, obscene, profane, lewd, defamatory, contains any third-party materials, other than DLG’s related materials, or otherwise violates or infringes (or may infringe) any copyright, trademark, logo, mark that identifies a brand other than Davis Law Group’s or other proprietary right of any person living or deceased (including but not limited to rights of privacy or publicity or portrayal in a false light) or entity, or is otherwise objectionable, will not be considered and may be disqualified.
13. Any clothing worn in the submitted video should not contain any visible logos, drawings, cartoons, phrases, trademarks or other third- party. No Entry shall contain any content other than as described above, a performance that has been broadcast or streamed, published or televised on television or as part of a recording of a motion picture film or television program.
14. Submitted videos must not include any representation of celebrities, athletes, musicians, or any other public figure, include any anti-social, political or religious groups, any commercial solicitation or promotional materials or address, phone number, or URL address.
15. Any Entry not in compliance with the above and does not meet the contest requirements will be disqualified.
16. If, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, the entry (or any portion thereof) appears to have resulted in any injury or bodily harm, it will be disqualified. Entries must be in keeping with Sponsor’s image and may not be offensive, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, or Entry will be disqualified from the Contest.
17. You are personally responsible for your behavior while creating this video and agree to indemnify all sponsors, including DLG of this Contest, affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from and against any loss, damage, liability, cost or expense of any kind (including attorney fees and costs) that may be incurred in connection with a third party claim or a claim by you that may occur in the creation and submission of your video.
Submission Guidelines/How To Enter The Contest:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Failure to follow the exact submission guidelines will result in disqualification.
18. All submissions must be posted on the creator’s own YouTube or Vimeo account and should allow embedding.
a. Title: The words: “DLG Viral Video Contest:” must appear at the beginning of the video title. Example: “DLG Viral Video Contest: Stay Alive, Don’t Text And Drive”
b. Description: The following must appear in the video description of all submitted videos:
i. Contestant’s name & school
ii. The name and website URL of DLG: http://www.dlglawfirm.com/
iii. A description of the video in the creators own words. There is no limit on the length of the description.
iv. Additional credits if desired.
c. Tags: The following YouTube video tags are required: viral, video, contest, scholarship, lawyer, DLG, attorney.
d. Category: Youtube: Film & Animation | Vimeo: Films or Animation & Motion Graphics
e. Privacy: All contest entries should be placed on YouTube or Vimeo using the “Public” privacy setting.
19. A link to the video page where the video resides should be sent to: DLG via their email with the words “Viral Video Scholarship Contest” in the email subject line.
a. In the body of the email message the applicant will put the following:
i. Video Title
ii. Name
iii. School
iv. Address
v. Contact Phone Number
vi. A link to the video
b. All contest entries must be received no later than March 31, 2012 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Any entries received after that date will not be accepted.
Prizes:
High School Winner: $1,500
College/University Winner: $1,500
Each winner will receive a prize, which can be used towards tuition at a recognized academic institution. The prize will be awarded as a check made payable to the institution. No transfer or substitution of prize permitted by winner. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission to use winners’ names, likenesses and Entries for promotional and advertising purposes without further compensation, except where prohibited by law. If the winner is not currently enrolled in a recognized academic institution the prize will be withheld until such time as enrollment is verified.
General Rules:
By participating in the Contest, contestants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor. Judges’ decisions are final on all matters relating to the Contest. If you do not agree to any term or Condition in this document DO NOT participate in this contest or submit a video. By submitting a video you agree to Official Rules.
By posting a video, you guarantee, represent and warrant that:
You have the legal right to post Content and it does not violate any law.
That, if you are under 18 at the time of the submission, that you will provide DLG with a signed notarized release by your parent or legal guardian granting you permission to participate in this contest and agreeing to all terms and conditions of the Official Contest and Rules. The sponsors of this contest are in no way liable for your failure to obtain permission to participate in this contest. If the Sponsors learn that you where under 18 at the time of the submission and you failed to provide DLG with a signed notarized release by your parent or legal guardian your entry will be disqualified. If your parent or legal guardian refuses to give you permission, DO NOT participate.
You have the written consent, release, and/or permission of each and every identifiable individual person in your video submission to use the name or likeness of each and every identifiable person in the content in the manner contemplated by the Sponsors of this contest.
That any personal information you provide may be provided to third parties and by participating in this contest you give the contest sponsors permission to use that information in the promotion of this contest and in any way that advances the purposes of this contest.
All Entries will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to submit the video at the time of Entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.
DLG and sponsors are not responsible for technical, hardware, software or telephone malfunctions of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications caused by the user or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or by any human error which may occur in the Contest.
Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the Contest if any aspect of the Contest becomes technically corrupted, and determine the Finalists from Entries received prior to cancellation. The Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the Entry process or the operation of the Contest or Contest Website; violates the Official Rules; or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. The Sponsor and its agencies and each party’s respective affiliates, officers, directors, agents, and employees will have no liability or responsibility for any claim arising in connection with participation in the Contest or the awarding of prizes. Winners assume all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by participation in the Contest or use or redemption of prize.
Release:
By submitting an Entry, you hereby grant the Sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, licensees, and legal representatives the irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide right to use, reproduce, edit, market, store, distribute, have distributed, publicly and privately display, communicate, publicly and privately perform, transmit, have transmitted, create derivative works based upon, and promote the Entry (as such may be edited and modified by the Sponsor in its discretion) for editorial, commercial, promotional and all other purposes (including posting on any websites). In addition, you hereby assign to the Sponsor all rights, titles, and interests that you may be deemed to have in any reproduction, product, or derivative work using or incorporating the Entry.
You represent and warrant that: (i) the Entry does not and shall not infringe on any copyright or trademark or any other third-party right other than Davis Law Group nor violate any applicable law or regulation, (ii) you have the right to grant any and all necessary rights and licenses provided herein, including without limitation, all necessary copyright, trademark and other related rights to the Entry, free and clear of all claims and encumbrances without violating the rights of any person or entity, including any right to privacy or publicity. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the Entry or to be compensated for any such uses. You hereby release Sponsor, its affiliates, officers, directors, agents, co-branders or other partners, and any of its employees (collectively, the “Contest Indemnitees”), harmless from any and all claims, damages, expenses, costs (including reasonable attorneys’
fees) and liabilities (including settlements), brought or asserted by any third party against any of the Contest Indemnitees due to or arising out of your participation in the Contest, or use of your name, likeness, Entry and/or voice, or any other rights granted to Sponsor, including any claims for including but not limited to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights, right of publicity, right of privacy or defamation. You further agree to release and indemnify and hold harmless Contest Indemnitees from any and all claims that any commercial, advertising, presentation, web content or any other material subsequently produced, presented, and/or prepared by or on behalf of Contest Indemnitees infringes on your rights as contained in the Entry submission.
You hereby represent and warrant that you have read these Official Rules, are fully familiar with its contents and agree to be bound by them. The Contest and the Official Rules shall be exclusively governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington, without regard to conflicts of law provisions. Entrants submit to exclusive personal jurisdiction in Washington state and agree that any dispute shall be brought in the state and federal courts in Washington state.
Judging:
DLG will be responsible for choosing the winners based on the evaluation criteria. A selection committee made up of sponsors and other DLG members will choose the final winner based on the evaluation criteria.
Evaluation Criteria:
During final judging periods all entries will
be judged based on the following judging criteria:
– Creativity and Originality (25%)
– Adherence to Theme and Inclusion of required elements. (25%)
– Viral Nature as determined by the number of video views, likes, plus 1’s, tweets and comment on unique viral video participant webpage on the DLG website. (25%)
– Entertainment Value (15%)
– Video Quality (10%)
Note: The use of robotic or automatic devices for voting is prohibited and Sponsor reserves the right to nullify all such votes and to disqualify the responsible individual from voting.
Announcement of Winner:
For the name of the scholarship winner will be, available after May 15, 2012 by visiting http://www.dlglawfirm.com
Can you clarify the voting for me. Do people need to go to the video page you created for us or can they just go to YouTube in general and watch it and comment there?
both
I also posted a video just before the deadline. I don’t see it on the site yet. Just looking for confirmation of receipt. Thanks, Laurie
will be up in less than 30 minutes. I will email you when it is ready
Hey, I submitted my video yesterday, before the midnight deadline, along with all of the links, documents, and the email, but I didnt receive a confirmation email and I also dont see it listed on this website.
Thanks Stephanie, I received your nomination. I will be sending you an email later today.
Alright, cool. Thank you very much!
Do we get an e-mail response once we send in our video? Just want to make sure I got mine in on time. Thanks
I have received your submission Vince. I will respond to you later today.
If the Viral Video logo won’t download to your video can we put it as a link in our youtube description?
The credit clip needs to be in the video. If you can’t get that to work, i need something in the video that references the DLG Viral Video Scholarship Contest. The youtube description will need a link to the dlglawfirm.com website.
If I submitted a similar video to another scholarship and that organization takes ownership of it, can I submit the same video to this scholarship?
is it a similar video or the exact same video?
-If in our project we have an actor that is performing a rap that he wrote…would we need to show proof that he gave us permission to use it?
-how do we get the paperwork of the release forms to you? Do we scan it? mail it?
Thank You!
-if he is in the video, he just needs to fill out the talent release form.
-you can email, mail or on the online registration form there is a document upload section.
email – scholarship@dlglawfirm.com
mail – Davis Law Group, Attn: Sean Bell, 2101 4th Ave, Suite 630, Seattle WA 98121
is the paperwork due the same day that the video is due? Tomorrow?
You can send your paperwork in at a later time. Just make sure you fill out the online registration form or email me your video link by tomorrow.
Thank you, for the Help:)
one last question: this project is due at the before the end of tomorrow (12:00 am)?
Do we need a talent release form if the person does not show up in the video, but their voice is heard?
yes, it would be best to include a talent release form for that person
I’m a Freshman in high school. Am I eligible?
yes you are eligible. Prizes will be withheld until enrollment to a college or university is verified.
or can the video be about drugs?
cyber-bulling or drugs would be good topics
Can the video be about cyberbullying ?
absolutely
I am a junior in highschool, not yet applied to colleges but i really need to get scholarships in order for me to go to the university of my choice. Can i still apply for this scholarship or do i need to have a school right now?
Thank you!
Yes you can still apply. If the winner is not currently enrolled in a recognized academic institution the prize will be withheld until such time as enrollment is verified.
Hey,
#19 says to email the video to DLG via email. Is scholarship@dlglawfirm.com the email adress that the video should be sent to? Also, do i need to provide a talent release form for others who appear in the video?
Thanks
yes, scholarship@dlglawfirm.com is the best email to send the video link. And yes, you need to provide a talent release form for anybody that appears in the video.
Hello, I was wondering if a PSA on Public Hygiene falls into the category of public safety
Yes public hygiene would be an acceptable topic
Can I use music that i have bought from my itunes account?
Purchasing from itunes doesn’t grant you ownership of the song. You will still need permission from the artist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use, http://www.youtube.com/t/howto_copyright, these two pages may be able to answer your question.
How is the notarized student release and registration submitted for those under 18? If I submit online, how do I include parent’s permission and notarized signature? Thank you.
On the registration form there is a place to upload documents. You can also email them to scholarship@dlglawfirm.com
Hi,
I just recently finished filming my video but have not yet uploaded it. In my video one of the kids that’s in it is wearing a school t-shirt with the name of the school appearing on it. Does this break the rule about no visible logos and trademarks? I would hate for my video to be disqualified for this.
Thanks
as long as you have the schools permission, you will be fine.
Hello,
Your article says that the video cannot appear to have injury or bodily harm in order to keep the firm’s reputation. If I had a scene of a car accident, would I be disqualified?
Also, I am 17. What should my parent sign and where should I include that in my application?
we just want to make sure you don’t physically injure your friends or actors in the video. Any special effects of makeup depicting an injury is fine.
Does domestic violence count has public safety?
Or abusive teenage relationships?
yes, you can use domestic violence/abusive teenage relationships as a video topic
On any form, there is a parent signature section at the bottom. you can download the forms here http://dlglawfirm.com/viral-video-scholarship-contest/starter-kit-downloadable-files
Does doing the video on specifically on the distractions/drowsiness of “big-rig” drivers count as a PSA?
yes it does!
Hi, I have several questions…
- I’m majoring in nursing and doing this video for the money to my classes. Does my major affect the submission? Or do I need to be in a media arts type of major?
- Say, I use a Ferrari for my video, am I allowed to shoot the logo too without infringing any copyright issues?
- Will these videos be viral throughout the U.S.? Even on TV during commercials?
-Your major does not matter for a video submission. Any video enthusiast can enter the scholarship.
-If you use any brands in a video, you must get permission from that brand.
-The videos will not be on television during commercials. The viral nature of your video is dependent on your ability to make the video “go viral” by any way possible (ie. social network, word-of-mouth, etc.)
Hope i have answered your questions. Thanks
am i able to use rail road safety as and issue and the the documents given in the pack requires my signature do i give an e-signature by typing my signature or do i have to print and mail stuff
rail road safety would be an accepted topic. You can filling out the online registration form http://dlglawfirm.com/viral-video-scholarship-contest/viral-video-registration instead of mailing your information.
thank you i am creating it now
it asking me for the waiver on the check list how do i sign it
there is an upload button for documents that you can attach the waiver form.
If we are doing a psa, are we or are we not allowed to make a psa about a non-profit organization to promote wearing seat belts, such as the Monica Mapile Foundation, and include herstory or family of Monica Mapile?
You can use a non-profit such as Monica Mapile Foundation. You would just need their approval if you make a mention about them.
I was wondering if suicide prevention counts as Public Safety?
yes
Hi,
Does the video this year have to be about ‘safe driving’, or can it be about any public safety issue?
It can be anything about public safety.
if it’s a group, is there a way they can divide the winnings?
Hello,
I’m planning on submitting a video about the dangers of texting and driving, however the phone I’m planning to use in the video has “Verizon” on it. Does this count as copyright infringement?
Any time you use a copyrighted work, images, music, brand, you must have permission from the owner. You will need to contact Verizon or research what Verizon’s rules are on their brand. If you are unsure, it is always best to blur out the image or find another phone that doesn’t have the brand image.
I have a quick question. Can I use other people in the video? Do I, myself, need to be in the video?
You can use any number of people in your video. You will need to have them sign a talent release form found here http://dlglawfirm.com/documents/VVSC-talent-release-form.pdf
Hello, I’m wondering about entering this contest but as I was looking over the rules I saw that one of the rules, specifically no. 7, was that the video can’t infringe upon copyright. However, if I were to use a song in my video, say something by the band Foo Fighters, would that be infringing upon the song’s copyright? Also, is having the phone carrier’s name on my cell phone breaking the rules as well?
Thanks
You will need to read more information on copyright law. Here is link to help you find a solution. http://www.youtube.com/t/howto_copyright . Depending on the means of how you plan on using the music, it may fall under “Fair Use” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use.
To be safe; removing, covering or editing out the cell phones company’s name would be best.
Hello, I have a question is this only for in-state, or who can apply?
Anybody in the United States can apply
Does using a song in the video violate any copyright laws? I was hoping to use a song by a fairly popular band but your viedo contest rules, specifically no. 7, state that no copyright can be infringed. Am I safe in using a song in my video?
I was directed here by this page:
http://www.americanlawyeracademy.com/viral-video-scholarship-contest
There, many instructions and regulations differ from the ones on this page. Which are correct?
Hi Sam, The webpage that your were directed from was the rules from last years scholarship. We (Davis Law Group) are hosting our own scholarship this year independent from the American Lawyer Academy.
Hi,
I am a college senior and am graduating in June 2012. Am I not eligible since the prize check is written out to an academic institution? I am planning on returning to school for a graduate degree after a year off, does that make a difference?
Thanks!
Hello Elizabeth,
You are still eligible. If you are selected as the winner, your scholarship would be withheld until you enroll into that school. Here is an excerpt from the rules:
“If the winner is not currently enrolled in a recognized academic institution the prize will be withheld until such time as enrollment is verified.”
Is the prize $10,000 for first as it says on many websites or is it $1,500 as it states here?
Hello Luke,
The $10,000 first prize was from last years Viral Video Scholarship Contest. Last years viral video contest was a collaboration of a number of sponsors around the country. Davis Law Group was one of those sponsors for last years program. This year, Davis Law Group is running an independent scholarship contest with two $1,500 scholarships.
What are the citizenship requirements for this contest?
Hello Victor and Molly,
Anybody can register for the scholarship contest no matter of location or citizenship. However, if you are the winner of the contest, the scholarship must be issued to a credited University or College in the United States.
Can International Student join this contest?
Can a group of students work on the video and submit it together?
Hello Patel,
Yes a group of students can work on the video together, however, the scholarship can only be credited to one student. The scholarship is credited to the student that submits the video. Here are some excerpts from the rules.
All Entries will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to submit the video at the time of Entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.
The prize will be awarded as a check made payable to the institution. No transfer or substitution of prize permitted by winner.