The Contest

• International Rules
• USA & Canada Rules

This photo contest is open to children worldwide.  

OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL "SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE" CONTEST RULES 2009

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY AND A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

SPONSOR

Sponsor is National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-4688 ("Sponsor" or "NGS").

TERM

The International See the Bigger Picture Contest begins June 1, 2009, and ends September 8, 2009 (the "Entry Period"). All online entries must be received by September 8, 2009. All mailed entries must be received by September 8, 2009. Entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned or acknowledged. Information on how to enter and prizes form part of these official rules ("Official Rules"). All entries must be submitted by the parent or legal guardian of the entrant. By submitting his/her child's entry, the parent or legal guardian is agreeing to the terms of these Official Rules on behalf of the minor entrant and him or herself. This is a skill based contest and chance plays no part in the determination of winners.

WHO MAY ENTER

Contest is open only to children who are between the ages of 6 and 16 as of August 31, 2009. A parent or legal guardian of the entrant must submit the entry on the minor entrant's behalf. Employees of Sponsor, Airbus, their affiliates and subsidiaries, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such individuals, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win a prize. CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. MANY WILL ENTER; FEW WILL WIN. For United States & Canada Rules, please click here.

HOW TO ENTER

Submit an image (the ‘Photograph') that you think captures the spirit/idea of biodiversity. It could be a favourite tree or a plant, an animal or an insect, even a whole ecosystem (from your own back yard to somewhere you've visited on vacation) - your images should show people why biodiversity is a good thing which we should try to preserve.

Parents/legal guardians may submit their child's entry either digitally or in the form of a print. The entry must be solely the work of the child, and no other party may participate in creation or development of the entry.

To submit a digital entry:
Complete an online entry form and follow directions from the upload of the digital photograph at www.seethebiggerpicture.org. All files must be labeled and accompanied by an entry form.

To submit a print:
Parent/legal guardian may submit a colour print of his/her child's photograph, no larger than 8 x 10"; and no smaller than 5 x 7". Write the parent or guardian name, address and phone number on the reverse of the print, include the image on a CD and complete an official entry form available from www.seethebiggerpicture.org.

Mail the print, CD and completed entry form in one envelope with sufficient postage to:
See The Bigger Picture
P.O. Box 26250
Baltimore, MD 21210
USA

Submitted prints will not be returned.

Each entry must comply with the following requirements ("Entry Requirements"):

• The entrant on whose behalf the parent/guardian enters must be the photographer him or herself. The Photograph must be an original work created by the child on whose behalf the entry is submitted. By entering the Contest, each parent/guardian represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted Photograph is original work created solely by his/her child and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the Photograph.
• Digital photographs must meet the following technical specifications:

Images should be saved at a suggested 8" x 10" vertical or 10" x 8" horizontal .jpg files and must be a maximum of 72 DPI
Images must be saved as .jpg files at the highest possible quality setting (12 or Max in photo shop)
The file name/label must carry the name of the parent/guardian and the key subject (e.g.,Jsmith_tree.jpg)

Original transparencies and negatives, or in the case of digital images a minimum of a 5 x 7" 300dpi (9mg) jpg of the winning photographs must be available to NGS so they can be published. Photographs taken with a digital or conventional camera are eligible. Digitally altered images are not acceptable. Mounted or framed images are not acceptable.

Photographs must be taken not more than three (3) years before the date of entry.

Obscene, provocative, or otherwise objectionable content will not be considered, and such determination is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
- Entries must be submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted 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, internet domain owner, or other person or 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.

- Limit one Photograph per person. Entrants who submit more than one Photograph will be disqualified.

CONTEST PRIZES

THE POTENTIAL WINNERS (AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS) ARE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE THE FOLLOWING: (1) AN AFFIDAVIT OF ELIGIBILITY AND LIABILITY RELEASE; (2) WARRANTY OF OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE; (3) PUBLICITY RELEASE; AND (4) ANY OTHER AFFIDAVITS, DECLARATIONS AND/OR RELEASES OR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY PRIZE SUPPLIER(S). UNLESS PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE POTENTIAL WINNER (AND PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN) MUST SIGN THESE DOCUMENTS NO LATER THAN 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION IN ORDER FOR SPONSOR TO AWARD THE PRIZE. NONCOMPLIANCE OR RETURN OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION AS UNDELIVERABLE MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND, AT SPONSOR'S DISCRETION, SELECTION OF AN ALTERNATE WINNER.

• Three (3) Grand Prize Winners will be selected. The Grand Prize is a trip to Washington, D.C. for each Winner and his/her parent or legal guardian ("Expedition"). Expedition dates are currently scheduled for November 2009, but are subject to change at the discretion of Sponsor. The Grand Prize includes meals, local transportation and double occupancy accommodations for the Expedition nights. Expedition also includes round trip air transportation for each Winner and his/her parent or legal guardian between the major airport closest to that Winner's home and the Expedition departure point. Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") of Grand Prize is US$5000. Tips, taxes, insurance (including travel insurance) and all other expenses associated with acceptance and use of the prize not stated herein or in related print or electronic materials are the sole responsibility of each Winner and his/her parent or legal guardian. Retail value of Grand Prize may vary depending on location of each Winner's residence and other variables. Any difference between actual retail value of prize and the approximate retail value will not be awarded.

No prize transfer, assignment or substitution by Winners permitted. In the event of unavailability, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize, in which case a prize of equal or greater monetary value, determined in Sponsor's reasonable discretion, will be awarded.

Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received and the skill of the entrant in satisfying the criteria set out below.

Each Winner and his/her travel companion must travel together on the same itinerary. Certain restrictions may apply. Each Winner and his/her travel companion will be responsible for all necessary travel authorizations and travel insurance. Travel arrangements will be made through Sponsor's agent on a carrier of Sponsor's choice. By accepting the Grand Prize, Winners and their parents or legal guardians represent that they understand that travel, whether in developed or remote areas and whether by plane, automobile, boat, raft, or other conveyance, or by foot, on land or water, and in the air, contains some inherent element of risk of accident, illness, injury, loss or death, which may be caused by negligence, forces of nature, wild animals or other agencies, known or unknown. Winners and their parents or legal guardians represent that they recognize that such risks may be present at any time before, during and after the trip. In order to be considered a Winner and partake of the enjoyment of this Expedition, potential Winners and their parents or legal guardians must be willing to accept the risk, and to confirm their acceptance to such risk in writing at Sponsor's request. Winners and their parents or legal guardians are responsible for obtaining all necessary vaccinations, if any, prior to the Expedition.

JUDGING

Contest consists of three (3) rounds of evaluation.

A panel of experts with experience in photography, at least one of whom will be independent of the sponsor, will evaluate the entries and select three (3) Grand Prize Winners based on the following criteria ("Judging Criteria"):

1) Creativity 33%
2) Quality of Photograph 33%
3) Effective illustration of what biodiversity means to the entrant 34%

Judging will take place on or about September 10, 2009 and parents/legal guardians of the selected entrants will be notified in writing on or about September 18, 2009.
Decisions of the Sponsor and judges are final and binding.

ENTRANT LICENSES/RELEASES

By entering the Contest, all entrants (and their respective parents and legal guardians) grant a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to Sponsor, its designees, licensees and affiliates ("Authorized Parties"), to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries (along with a name credit) in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to: Display at a potential exhibition of winners; publication of a book featuring select entries in the Contest; publication in National Geographic Kids Magazine or online highlighting entries or winners of the Contest. Entrants consent to the Sponsor doing or omitting to do any act that would otherwise infringe the entrant's "moral rights" in their entries. Display or publication of any entry on an Authorized Party's website does not indicate the entrant will be selected as a winner. Authorized Parties will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use.

THIRD PARTY RELEASES

If the Photograph contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the Photograph, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the Photograph, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the Photograph in the manner set forth in these Official Rules without additional compensation. If any person appearing in any Photograph is under the age of majority in their state/province/territory of residence the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on each release.

Upon Sponsor's request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor's request) a signed release from all persons who appear in the Photograph submitted, and/or from the owner of any material that appears in the Photograph entry, authorizing the Authorized Parties to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the Photograph in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification at any time during the Contest and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the personal release).

Similarly, upon Sponsor's request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor's request) a signed written license from the copyright owner of any sculpture, artwork or other copyrighted material that appears in the photograph entry, authorizing any Authorized Party to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entry in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the artist release).

Finally, upon Sponsor's request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor's request) a signed written license from the owner of any private property included in the photograph entry, authorizing any Authorized Party to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entry in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the location release).

For the purposes of these Official Rules, the parent/guardian of the entrant will be deemed to be in receipt of Sponsor's request or notification, (a) in the event that Sponsor sends the request by postal mail, five business days after the request was sent by Sponsor, or (b) in the event that Sponsor sends the request by e-mail, on the day that the e-mail was sent by Sponsor.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

By participating, entrants (and their parents or legal guardians) agree to release, discharge and hold harmless National Geographic Society, Airbus, and their partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this Contest or any Contest-related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded hereunder.

Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, or delay in operation or transmission; communications line failure; theft or destruction of or unauthorized access to Contest entries or entry forms; or alteration of entries or entry forms. Sponsor is not responsible for any problems with or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail entry to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, human errors of any kind, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrants' or any other persons' computers related to or resulting from participation, uploading or downloading of any materials related to in this Contest.

In the case of entrants who are Australian or UK residents, the preceding two clauses do not operate in respect of any implied condition or warranty the exclusion of which from these Official Rules would contravene any Australian or UK statute or cause any part of these Official Rules to be void.

CONDITIONS

THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
Entrants agree that this Contest shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the District of Columbia and the forum for any dispute shall be in the District of Columbia, United States of America. To the extent permitted by law, the right to litigate, to seek injunctive relief or to make any other recourse to judicial or any other procedure in case of disputes or claims resulting from or on connection with this Contest are hereby excluded and any entrant expressly waives any and all such rights. Certain restrictions may apply. Entries void if the Sponsor determines the photograph to not be an original, or if the entries are illegible, incomplete, damaged, irregular, altered, counterfeit, produced in error or obtained through fraud or theft.

Entrants also agree (a) to be bound by these Official Rules; (b) that the decisions of the judges are final on all matters relating to the Contest; and (c) if he/she wins that Sponsor may use the winning Photograph and each winner's name, photograph, likeness, and/or voice in any publicity or advertising relating to the Contest or future promotions without compensation or approval (except in Tennessee and where prohibited by law). All taxes, fees and surcharges on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize winners. In the event that the selected winner(s) of any prize are/is ineligible or refuses the prize, the prize will be forfeited and Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may choose whether to award the prize to another winner.

RIGHT TO CANCEL OR SUSPEND CONTEST

If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, worms, trojan horses, denial of service attacks, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual(s) who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest. If Sponsor elects to cancel or terminate the Contest, Sponsor will not retain any rights in the submitted photographs.

WINNERS LIST

Grand Prize Winners' names (First and last name, and city of residence) will be available online at www.seethebiggerpicture.org after September 18, 2009 or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to See the Bigger Picture Contest Winner, National Geographic, Unit 1.4, Shepherds Building Central, Charecroft Way, London W14 0EE.

NOTICE TO INDIVIDUALS: REMOVAL FROM MAILING LIST: Any individual (or other duly authorized person) may elect to exclude the name and address of that individual from all lists used by Sponsor to mail skill contests or sweepstakes. To elect to have an individual's name excluded from all such lists, submit a removal request in writing to: See the Bigger Picture Contest, National Geographic, Unit 1.4, Shepherds Building Central, Charecroft Way, London W14 0EE. This notification system may be used to prohibit mailing of all skill contests or sweepstakes by Sponsor to such individual.

SHORT FORM RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. MANY WILL ENTER; FEW WILL WIN.
To obtain Official Rules, go to www.seethebiggerpicture.org. Open only to children who are between the ages of 6 and 16 as of August 31, 2009. A parent or legal guardian of the entrant must submit the entry on the minor entrant's behalf. Employees of Sponsor National Geographic Society, Airbus, and related parties are ineligible. Online entries must be received by September 8, 2009; mailed entries must be received by September 8, 2009. Limit one entry per person. To enter, take a photograph of what biodiversity means to you. Entry must comply with Entry Requirements described in Official Rules. Three (3) Grand Prize Winners will win a trip to Washington DC for each Winner and his/her parent or legal guardian (ARV: $5000 USD). CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received and skill of entrant.

OFFICIAL UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN "SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE" CONTEST RULES 2009

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY AND A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

SPONSOR

Sponsor is National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-4688 ("Sponsor" or "NGS").

TERM

The United States and Canadian See the Bigger Picture Contest begins June 1, 2009, and ends August 31, 2009 (the "Entry Period"). All Entries must be postmarked by August 31, 2009, and received by September 8, 2009. Entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned or acknowledged. Information on how to enter and prizes form part of these official rules ("Official Rules"). By signing the entry form, the parent or legal guardian is agreeing to the terms of these Official Rules on behalf of the minor entrant and him or herself. This is a skill based contest and chance plays no part in the determination of winners.

WHO MAY ENTER

Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding residents of Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are between the ages of 6 and 14 as of August 31, 2009. Employees of Sponsor, Airbus, their affiliates and subsidiaries, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such individuals, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win a prize. Entrants must have a parent's or legal guardian's permission to enter. CONTEST IS VOID IN PUERTO RICO AND QUEBEC AND WHERE PROHIBITED. MANY WILL ENTER; FEW WILL WIN.

HOW TO ENTER

Submit an image (the ‘Photograph') that you think captures the spirit/idea of biodiversity. It could be a favourite tree or a plant, an animal or an insect, even a whole ecosystem (from your own back yard to somewhere you've visited on vacation) - your images should show people why biodiversity is a good thing which we should try to preserve.

Parents/legal guardians may submit their child's entry either digitally or in the form of a print. The entry must be solely the work of the child, and no other party may participate in creation or development of the entry.

To submit a print:
Parent/legal guardian may submit a colour print of his/her child's photograph, no larger than 8 x 10"; and no smaller than 5 x 7". Write the parent or guardian name, address and phone number on the reverse of the print, include the image on a CD and complete an official entry form available from www.seethebiggerpicture.org.

Mail the print, CD and completed entry form in one envelope with sufficient postage to:
See The Bigger Picture
P.O. Box 26250
Baltimore, MD 21210
USA

Submitted prints will not be returned.

Each entry must comply with the following requirements ("Entry Requirements"):

* The entrant on whose behalf the parent/guardian enters must be the photographer him or herself. The Photograph must be an original work created by the child on whose behalf the entry is submitted. By entering the Contest, each parent/guardian represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted Photograph is original work created solely by his/her child and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the Photograph.
* Digital photographs must meet the following technical specifications:

Images should be saved at a suggested 8" x 10" vertical or 10" x 8" horizontal .jpg files and must be a maximum of 72 DPI
Images must be saved as .jpg files at the highest possible quality setting (12 or Max in photo shop)
The file name/label must carry the name of the parent/guardian and the key subject (e.g.,Jsmith_tree.jpg)

Original transparencies and negatives, or in the case of digital images a minimum of a 5 x 7" 300dpi (9mg) jpg of the winning photographs must be available to NGS so they can be published. Photographs taken with a digital or conventional camera are eligible. Digitally altered images are not acceptable. Mounted or framed images are not acceptable.

Photographs must be taken not more than three (3) years before the date of entry.

Obscene, provocative, or otherwise objectionable content will not be considered, and such determination is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
- Entries must be submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted 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, internet domain owner, or other person or 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.

- Limit one Photograph per person. Entrants who submit more than one Photograph will be disqualified.

CONTEST PRIZES

THE POTENTIAL WINNERS (AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS) ARE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE THE FOLLOWING: (1) AN AFFIDAVIT (OR, IN THE CASE OF CANADIAN RESIDENTS, A DECLARATION) OF ELIGIBILITY AND LIABILITY RELEASE; (2) WARRANTY OF OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE; (3) PUBLICITY RELEASE; AND (4) ANY OTHER AFFIDAVITS, DECLARATIONS AND/OR RELEASES OR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY PRIZE SUPPLIER(S). UNLESS PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE POTENTIAL WINNER (AND PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN) MUST SIGN THESE DOCUMENTS NO LATER THAN 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION IN ORDER FOR SPONSOR TO AWARD THE PRIZE. NONCOMPLIANCE OR RETURN OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION AS UNDELIVERABLE MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND, AT SPONSOR'S DISCRETION, SELECTION OF AN ALTERNATE WINNER.

Two (2) Grand Prize Winners will be selected. The Grand Prize is a trip to Washington, D.C. for each Winner and his/her parent or legal guardian ("Expedition"). Expedition dates are currently scheduled for November 2009, but are subject to change at the discretion of Sponsor. The Grand Prize includes meals, local transportation and double occupancy accommodations for the Expedition nights. Expedition also includes round trip air transportation for each Winner and his/her parent or legal guardian between the major airport closest to that Winner's home and the Expedition departure point. Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") of Grand Prize is US$5,000. Tips, taxes, insurance (including travel insurance) and all other expenses associated with acceptance and use of the prize not stated herein or in related print or electronic materials are the sole responsibility of each Winner and his/her parent or legal guardian. Retail value of Grand Prize may vary depending on location of each Winner's residence and other variables. Any difference between actual retail value of prize and the approximate retail value will not be awarded.

No prize transfer, assignment or substitution by Winners permitted. In the event of unavailability, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize, in which case a prize of equal or greater monetary value, determined in Sponsor's reasonable discretion, will be awarded.

Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received and the skill of the entrant in satisfying the criteria set out below.

Each Winner and his/her travel companion must travel together on the same itinerary. Certain restrictions may apply. Each Winner and his/her travel companion will be responsible for all necessary travel authorizations and travel insurance. Travel arrangements will be made through Sponsor's agent on a carrier of Sponsor's choice. By accepting the Grand Prize, Winners and their parents or legal guardians represent that they understand that travel, whether in developed or remote areas and whether by plane, automobile, boat, raft, or other conveyance, or by foot, on land or water, and in the air, contains some inherent element of risk of accident, illness, injury, loss or death, which may be caused by negligence, forces of nature, wild animals or other agencies, known or unknown. Winners and their parents or legal guardians represent that they recognize that such risks may be present at any time before, during and after the trip. In order to be considered a Winner and partake of the enjoyment of this Expedition, potential Winners and their parents or legal guardians must be willing to accept the risk, and to confirm their acceptance to such risk in writing at Sponsor's request. Winners and their parents or legal guardians are responsible for obtaining all necessary vaccinations, if any, prior to the Expedition.

JUDGING

Contest consists of three (3) rounds of evaluation.

A panel of experts with experience in photography will evaluate the entries and select two (2) Grand Prize Winners based on the following criteria ("Judging Criteria"):

1) Creativity 33%
2) Quality of Photograph 33%
3) Effective illustration of what biodiversity means to the entrant 34%

Judging will take place on or about September 10, 2009 and parents/legal guardians of the selected entrants will be notified in writing on or about September 18, 2009.
Decisions of the Sponsor and judges are final and binding.

ENTRANT LICENSES/RELEASES

By entering the Contest, all entrants (and their respective parents and legal guardians) grant a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to Sponsor, its designees, licensees and affiliates ("Authorized Parties"), to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries (along with a name credit) in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to: Display at a potential exhibition of winners; publication of a book featuring select entries in the Contest; publication in National Geographic Kids Magazine or online highlighting entries or winners of the Contest. Entrants consent to the Sponsor doing or omitting to do any act that would otherwise infringe the entrant's "moral rights" in their entries. Display or publication of any entry on an Authorized Party's website does not indicate the entrant will be selected as a winner. Authorized Parties will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use.

THIRD PARTY RELEASES

If the Photograph contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the Photograph, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the Photograph, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the Photograph in the manner set forth in these Official Rules without additional compensation. If any person appearing in any Photograph is under the age of majority in their state/province/territory of residence the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on each release.

Upon Sponsor's request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor's request) a signed release from all persons who appear in the Photograph submitted, and/or from the owner of any material that appears in the Photograph entry, authorizing the Authorized Parties to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the Photograph in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification at any time during the Contest and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the personal release).

Similarly, upon Sponsor's request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor's request) a signed written license from the copyright owner of any sculpture, artwork or other copyrighted material that appears in the photograph entry, authorizing any Authorized Party to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entry in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the artist release).

Finally, upon Sponsor's request, each entrant must be prepared to provide (within 7 calendar days of receipt of Sponsor's request) a signed written license from the owner of any private property included in the photograph entry, authorizing any Authorized Party to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entry in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known. All releases must be in the form provided by Sponsor. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. (Download the location release).

For the purposes of these Official Rules, the entrant will be deemed to be in receipt of Sponsor's request or notification, (a) in the event that Sponsor sends the request by postal mail, five business days after the request was sent by Sponsor, or (b) in the event that Sponsor sends the request by e-mail, on the day that the e-mail was sent by Sponsor. For greater certainty, the entrant will be deemed to be in receipt whether notification or request is sent to entrant him/herself or his/her parent or legal guardian.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

By participating, entrants (and their parents or legal guardians) agree to release, discharge and hold harmless National Geographic Society, Airbus, and their partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this Contest or any Contest-related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded hereunder.

CONDITIONS

This Contest is subject to federal, state, provincial, territorial and local laws and regulations. Certain restrictions may apply. Sponsor is not responsible for late, lost, stolen, damaged, mutilated, incomplete, illegible, misdirected, or postage-due mail. Entries void if the Sponsor determines the entry to not be an original, or if the entries are illegible, incomplete, damaged, irregular, altered, counterfeit, produced in error or obtained through fraud or theft.

Entrants also agree (a) to be bound by these Official Rules; (b) that the decisions of the judges are final on all matters relating to the Contest; and (c) if he/she wins that Sponsor may use the winning Photograph and each winner's name, photograph, likeness, and/or voice in any publicity or advertising relating to the Contest or future promotions without compensation or approval (except in Tennessee and where prohibited by law). All taxes, fees and surcharges on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize winners. In the event that the selected winner(s) of any prize are/is ineligible or refuses the prize, the prize will be forfeited and Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may choose whether to award the prize to another winner.

WINNERS LIST

Grand Prize Winners' names (First and last name, and city of residence) will be available online at www.seethebiggerpicture.org on or after September 18, 2009 or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: See the Bigger Picture Contest Winner,
National Geographic
P.O. Box 26250
Baltimore, MD 21210
USA

NOTICE TO INDIVIDUALS: REMOVAL FROM MAILING LIST: Any individual (or other duly authorized person) may elect to exclude the name and address of that individual from all lists used by Sponsor to mail skill contests or sweepstakes. To elect to have an individual's name excluded from all such lists, submit a removal request in writing to: See the Bigger Picture Contest, National Geographic Kids / AEC, 1145 17th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036. This notification system may be used to prohibit mailing of all skill contests or sweepstakes by Sponsor to such individual.

SHORT FORM RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. MANY WILL ENTER; FEW WILL WIN.
To obtain Official Rules, go to www.seethebiggerpicture.org. Open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) ages 6 to 14 as of August 31, 2009. Employees of Sponsor National Geographic Society, Airbus, and related parties are ineligible. Entries must be postmarked by August 31, 2009, and received by September 8, 2009. Limit one entry per person. To enter, take a photograph of what biodiversity means to you. Entry must comply with Entry Requirements described in Official Rules. Two (2) Grand Prize Winners will win a trip to Washington DC for each Winner and his/her parent or legal guardian (ARV: $5000 USD). CONTEST IS VOID IN PUERTO RICO, QUEBEC AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received and skill of entrant.