Official Rules: Yahoo! Key Scientific Challenges 2012 Program

THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS OFFERED IN THE UNITED STATES AND SHALL ONLY BE CONSTRUED, GOVERNED, AND EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. BY VISITING http://labs.yahoo.com/ksc/ (THE "PROGRAM SITE"), YOU AGREE THAT YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN A PROGRAM GOVERNED BY UNITED STATES LAW. THE TERMS OF SERVICE OF YAHOO! INC., LOCATED AT http://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/utos-173.html APPLY TO ALL MATERIAL ON THE PROGRAM SITE.

PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED ANY FURTHER IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE PROGRAM SITE AND THESE OFFICIAL RULES ("OFFICIAL RULES"), OR IF ACCESS TO THE CONTEST WEBSITE AND/OR ENTRY INTO THE PROGRAM IS CONTRARY TO THE LAWS OF YOUR COUNTRY. THIS PROGRAM IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR OTHERWISE RESTRICTED IN A MANNER NOT SATISFIED BY THE PUBLICATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES ON THE PROGRAM SITE. SEE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS.

1. About The Program: The Yahoo! Key Scientific Challenges 2012 Program (the "Program") is an academic award program in which Yahoo! seeks to support the research efforts of Ph.D candidates around the world in a variety of disciplines related to Yahoo!'s core businesses. Academics interested in applying for the Program (each, a "Participant") will be required to submit a series of materials (described below) as part of the application process. Submitted applications will be reviewed by the Key Scientific Challenges Advisory Committee (the "Committee"), who will select "Potential Award Winners" to receive $5,000 in unrestricted research seed funding, access to select Yahoo! datasets, and other research support (the "Award"), as described below. In addition to these Official Rules, more information about the Program, including application materials and frequently asked questions ("Additional Materials"), are available at http://labs.yahoo.com/ksc/ (the "Program Site"). The Additional Materials are fully incorporated into these Official Rules by reference; in the event of a discrepancy between the Additional Materials and these Official Rules, these Official Rules will control.
   
   
2. Eligibility: The Program is open to currently enrolled Ph.D candidates at properly accredited institutions around the world. You must be at least 18 or the age of legal majority in your state or country of residence at the time of entry. Decisions as to whether a particular institution is sufficiently accredited to qualify for the Program will be made in Yahoo!'s and the Committee's sole determination.
   
   Participants who are nationals of a country subject to a U.S. embargo are not eligible to receive the $5,000 in unrestricted research seed funding. Countries currently subject to embargo are: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. This list is subject to change and compliance with the most recent trade sanctions is required. Please refer to the country listings published on the following U.S. Treasury and Commerce Department websites for the most current information:
   Pages/Programs and bis.doc.gov/policiesandregulations/regionalconsiderations.htm.
   
   
3. Program Application: Beginning on January 20, 2012 and continuing through March 9, 2012 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time ("PT") (the "Application Period"), an individual who meets all the criteria listed above may apply for the Program (thereby becoming an "Entrant") by visiting the Program Site and following the instructions to complete the submission form (the "Submission Form") with all required information. In addition, your submission must include the following documents, submitted as a PDF document:
   
   (a) a nomination letter from your academic advisor ("Nomination Letter"), either uploaded from the Submission Form or, at your advisor's discretion, emailed under separate cover to ksc@yahoo-inc.com;
   
   (b) A short summary (2-4 pages) describing your research and how it will make an impact in the KSC area you are addressing ("Research Summary"); and
   
   (c) Your resume or CV ("Entrant Resume").
   
   Together, the Submission Form and the above three documents constitute an "Entry." All Entries must be received by the close of the Entry Period. Note that an Entry is NOT deemed complete unless all three of the above documents are received by Yahoo! before the close of the Application Period. In particular, if your academic advisor will be submitting your Nomination Letter under separate cover, be sure to remind him/her of the deadline associated with the close of the Application Period.
   
   All Entry materials (except for the Entrant's Research Summary, and Entrant Resume) received become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. For the purposes of this Program and these Official Rules, "receipt" of an Entry occurs when Yahoo!'s servers record the entry information upon clicking the "enter" or "submit" button at the bottom of the entry form, and, if applicable, upon receipt of the Entrant's Nomination Letter via email. Any automated computer receipt (such as one confirming delivery of email or a "thanks for entering" message) does not constitute proof of actual receipt of an Entry by Sponsor. The Program Entities assume no responsibility for advising an entrant of an incomplete or otherwise non-compliant submission. Late, unintelligible, incomplete, or garbled entries will be disqualified. Sponsor assumes no liability for lost, damaged or misdirected entries.
   
   
4. Judging: At the conclusion of the Application Period and continuing through approximately March 30, 2012 (the "Judging Period"), the eligible Entries properly received during the Application Period will be reviewed by the Committee, comprised of senior Yahoo! scientists. On the basis of the Committee's evaluations, the Committee will select at its discretion the Potential Award Winners.
   
   
5. General Conditions of Entry: By entering the Program, each Entrant:
   
   
   1. agrees to be bound by these Official Rules, which will be posted at the Program Site throughout the Program, and by the standard policies, rules and regulations governing the Yahoo! service, including, without limitation, the Yahoo! Terms of Service; and acknowledges that failure to comply with any of the above will result in disqualification from the Program;
   2. agrees to comply with and be bound by the decisions of the Sponsor and the judges relating to this Program, which shall in each case be final and binding in all respects;
   3. WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT THE ENTRANT OWNS ALL RIGHTS TO, OR HAS OBTAINED ALL LICENSES AND OTHER PERMISSIONS NECESSARY TO USE AND SUBMIT THE ENTRY SHE IS SUBMITTING, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL CONTENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMAGES, TEXT, OR OTHER COPYRIGHTABLE MATERIAL, TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS, ANY OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CONTAINED WITHIN THE ENTRY (COLLECTIVELY, THE "ENTRY MATERIALS"), AND CAN PROVIDE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF ANY OF THE ABOVE UPON REQUEST;
   4. WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT: (i) THE ENTRY MATERIALS ARE THE ORIGINAL CREATION OF THE ENTRANT, AND HAVE BEEN LEGALLY OBTAINED AND CREATED, AND DO NOT INFRINGE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OR ANY OTHER LEGAL OR MORAL RIGHTS OF ANY THIRD PARTY; (ii) THE SUBMITTED ENTRY MATERIALS ARE NOT CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR ANY OTHER AWARD, CONTEST, OR PROMOTION;
   5. acknowledges and agrees that (a) Program Entities and other entrants and businesses have access to and/or may create or have created materials, ideas and concepts which may be similar or identical to the Entrant's Entry Materials in theme, idea, concept, format and/or other respects; (b) the Entrant will not be entitled to any compensation or other consideration because of the use by Program Entities of any such similar or identical material, ideas and/or concepts; and (c) Program Entities' use of material containing elements similar to or identical with those contained in the Entry Materials or any submission shall not obligate Program Entities to negotiate with nor entitle the Entrant to any compensation or other claim; and
   6. agrees to indemnify and hold the Program Entities and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents, co-branders or other partners, and any of their employees (collectively, the "Program 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 Program Indemnitees due to or arising out of the entrant's Entry Materials in this Program, or the entrant's conduct during and in connection with this Program, including but not limited to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights, right of publicity, right of privacy and defamation.

   
   

6. Program Award Benefits: Each Potential Award Winner who is confirmed (a "Confirmed Winner") will receive the following benefits (the "Award"):
   
   (a) $5,000 in unrestricted research seed funding, which may be used for purposes related to the subject of the Confirmed Winner's research, including conference fees and travel, lab materials, and professional society membership dues;
   
   (b) Access to select Yahoo! datasets for use in a manner consistent with the proposal outlined in the Confirmed Winner's Research Summary; the use of the Yahoo! datasets will be subject to additional terms and conditions, which will be provided to the Confirmed Winner at the time the datasets are delivered;
   
   (c) The opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading Yahoo! scientists; and
   
   (d) Invitation to KSC graduate student summit ("Summit Trip") in Santa Clara, CA.
   

   The following applies to Summit Trip: The Award Package includes round trip coach class air transportation from a major airport close to Confirmed Winner's home (carrier and airport to be selected by Sponsor) to San Jose or San Francisco, CA; hotel accommodations (one room, standard, double occupancy) for up to three (3) nights; ground transportation to and from the Summit and U.S. hotel, and to and from Summit and U.S. airport. Except as specifically provided herein, Summit Trip does not include taxes, insurance, telephone charges, personal expenses, travel arrangements between winner's home and airport of departure, ground transportation, gratuities, passenger facility charges (PFCs), departure taxes, incidental charges, or any other item not specifically described in these Official Rules, and all expenses for any of the foregoing are the sole responsibility of the Confirmed Winner thereof. The Summit is subject to change and/or cancellation. Confirmed Winner must be able to travel in a window between August 2012 and September 2012 (exact dates will be announced by Sponsor at time Confirmed Winner is contacted), or Summit Trip portion of Award may be forfeited, and no compensation awarded in lieu thereof. Once travel arrangements are confirmed, travel arrangements and accommodations cannot be changed by Confirmed Winner; however, travel is subject to availability, blackout dates, and/or change due to circumstances beyond Program Entities' control. Confirmed Winner must travel on the same dates, itinerary, and fare class. All travel awarded in this Program must originate from a major airport near Confirmed Winner's home, as determined by Sponsor, and must be completed by October 2012. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute ground transportation for the air transportation component of the Summit Trip, depending on Confirmed Winner's proximity to Santa Clara, CA. Should such substitution occur, the difference in Summit Trip value will not be awarded. No extensions will be permitted, and any unused travel will be forfeited, and no compensation awarded in lieu thereof. All tickets issued in conjunction with the Summit Trip are not eligible for frequent flyer miles, and no code-share flights may be used.
   

   The following applies to the opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading Yahoo! scientists: The opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading Yahoo! scientists is within the sole determination of Yahoo! scientists.
   
   The following applies to the entire Award and its components: Approximate retail value of Award: $6,000. Approximate retail value may vary depending on Confirmed Winner's proximity to Santa Clara, CA. Award cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or offer. Award may not be transferred or assigned except by Sponsor or as provided herein. Only listed Award will be awarded and no substitutions, equivalents or redemptions will be made, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute for any or all components of the Award with another element of equal or greater value in the event that the advertised Award (or any component thereof) is not available. Expenses not specifically stated above, together with the reporting and payment of any applicable income taxes, arising out of, or resulting from, acceptance or use of the Award, are the sole responsibility of the Confirmed Winner. Yahoo! expressly disclaims any responsibility or liability for injury or loss to any person or property relating to the delivery and/or subsequent use of the Award. Yahoo! makes no representations or warranties concerning the appearance, safety, or performance of any component of the Award. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations apply. Yahoo! will not replace any lost or stolen elements of the Award.
   
   

7. Winner Notification: Potential Award Winners will be notified on or around April 6, 2012 via email or telephone.
   
   Potential Award Winners will be required to sign, notarize and return any additional documentation ("Documentation") that may be required by the Sponsor in connection with the delivery of the Award. If any Potential Award Winner cannot be contacted, does not return a phone call or correspondence from the Sponsors within seven (7) days following attempted notification, or fails to comply with the Sponsor's verification process and/or eligibility requirements, that Potential Award Winner may be disqualified. Similarly, the Documentation must be fully completed and returned to Sponsors within four (4) business days following the sending of those documents to the Potential Award Winner, or the Potential Award Winner may be disqualified. A Potential Alternate may be selected, in rank order, from among the remaining Alternates, if time permits, and if any qualified Alternates remain, subject to the same eligibility and verification requirements described in these Official Rules. Potential Finalists or Alternates who are disqualified for any reason will not be entitled to any form of compensation, and any and all rights to further participation or any award in this Program will be forfeited. The Judges reserve the right to select a smaller number of Potential Award Winners or Alternates in the event that there is an insufficient number of Entries that are deemed to meet their criteria, or if any Potential Award Winner or Potential Alternate, in the sole opinion of Sponsor, does not comply with the Sponsor's eligibility and verification requirements.
   
   Except where prohibited by law, a winner's acceptance of a prize constitutes permission for Sponsor to use such winner's name, address (city and state only), statements, photograph, voice and/or likeness for any advertising and promotional purposes relating to the Program without further compensation, consideration, review or consent.
   
   
8. General Conditions: This Program is governed by the laws of the United States. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
   
   Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify the Entry of any individual found to be (a) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Program or any Yahoo! website; (b) violating the Official Rules; (c) violating the terms of service, conditions of use and/or general rules or guidelines of any Yahoo! property or service, or (d) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. Further, Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any Entry which, in Yahoo!'s sole opinion, is deemed to be offensive, disparaging to the Sponsor or otherwise portraying Sponsor in a negative manner, or libelous, slanderous, inflammatory, or otherwise inappropriate in any way for this Program. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY AND SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
   
   By accepting any component of an Award, Confirmed Winner agrees to release and hold harmless Program Entities, and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind to persons, including but not limited to death, or property, resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any component of the Award, participation in this Program, or while traveling to, preparing for or participating in any Award-related activity.
   
   
9. Limitations of Liability: The Program Entities assume no responsibility for any computer, online, telephone transmission or technical malfunctions that may occur during participation in the Program, or for theft, destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, Entry Materials. Program Entities are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users, Program participants or any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Program; or for any technical or human error which may occur in the transmission, receipt or processing of submissions in the Program. Program Entities assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, failures or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, email, players or browsers, whether on account of technical problems, traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or on account of any combination of the foregoing (including but not limited to any such problems which may result in the inability to access the Program Site or to submit an Entry in this Program). Program Entities are not responsible for any injury or damage to participants or to any computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading materials in this Program. If, for any reason, the Program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Program Entities which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Program, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Program and select the winner from among qualifying Entries received prior to the time/date of the action or event warranting such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension, if any.
   
   
10. Disputes/Governing Law: Except where prohibited, as a condition of participating in this Program, Entrant agrees that any and all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Program, or any award, or the determination of winners shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will Entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys' fees, other than entrant's actual out-pocket expenses (e.g., costs associated with entering this Program), and Entrant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
    
    All issues and questions rights and obligations of Entrant in connection with this Program shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, U.S.A., without giving effect to the conflict of laws rules thereof and any matters or proceedings which are not subject to arbitration as set forth in these Official Rules and/or for entering any judgment on an arbitration award, shall take place in the State of California, County of Santa Clara.
    
    
11. Privacy: By entering the Program, you agree to Yahoo!'s use of your personal information as described in Yahoo!'s Privacy Policy, located at http://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/.
    
    
12. Sponsor: Yahoo! Inc., 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089.