MICROSOFT BLOGHER'12 STYLE MAKEOVER SWEEPSTAKES
OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:

These are the official rules that govern how the Microsoft Blogher'12 Style Makeover sweepstakes promotion will operate.  This promotion will be simply referred to as the "Sweepstakes" throughout the rest of these rules.  In these rules, "we," "our," and "us" refer to Microsoft Corporation, the sponsor of the Sweepstakes. "You" refers to an eligible Sweepstakes entrant. 

WHAT ARE THE START AND END DATES?

This Sweepstakes starts at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on June 27, 2012, and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on July 27, 2012 ("Entry Period").  Entries must be received within the Entry Period to be eligible.

CAN I ENTER?

You are eligible to enter this Sweepstakes if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

• You are a legal resident of the 50 United States and District of Columbia or Canada (excluding Quebec), who is 18 years of age or older and will be attending BlogHer '12 in New York City August 2-4, 2012.

• You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary; and

• You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Sweepstakes; and

• You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Sweepstakes.

This Sweepstakes is void outside of the geographic area described above and wherever else prohibited by law.

HOW DO I ENTER?

There are multiple ways to enter this Sweepstakes:

First, select one of the following options:

Option 1: Write a blog or vlog post describing why you or a person you'd like to nominate deserves a celebrity style makeover at BlogHer '12. The blog or vlog must clearly describe who you are or who you are nominating and it must include the following language at the bottom of the post:

"In writing this post, I'm entering the Microsoft Windows Style Makeover sweepstakes for a chance to win a head to toe makeover!"

Option 2: Create a Pinterest board that displays the type of style you or a person you'd like to nominate would like to achieve by receiving a celebrity style makeover at BlogHer '12. The board must describe who you are or who you are nominating and it must include a link to the Sweepstakes Official Rules.

Second, once you have completed your blog, vlog, or pinterest board, tweet the direct URL to @Kristinalibby using hashtag #Windowstyle no later than the end date above. The tweet must come from the person who would like to be eligible to win (either yourself or the person you are nominating). For example, if you are nominating a friend, that friend (the "nominee"), needs to tweet the link to the entry post.

By completing a post or Pinterest board and tweeting the direct link, you or your nominee will receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes drawing.

Limit one (1) entry per person overall.

We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason.

We will automatically disqualify:

• Any incomplete or illegible entry; and
• Any entries that we receive from you that are in excess of the entry limit described above.

WINNER SELECTION AND PRIZES

On or around the close of the Entry Period, we will randomly select winners of the prizes designated below. 

Five (5) Grand Prizes.  A Prize Package consisting of the following items:

A $1500 celebrity makeover consisting of a 1 hour personal online shopping experience at BlogHer '12 with a celebrity (times/dates will be worked out directly with the winner and in the event all the funds do not get spent, the winner will receive the remaining balance on a pre-paid gift card). Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $1,500.00.

One (1) PC running windows 7 inclusive of the Win8 upgrade offer.  Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $800.00.

The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of this Package is $2,300.

The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of all prizes: $6,900

We will only award one (1) prize package per person during the Entry Period. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held after which the applicable prize will remain un-awarded.

NOTE: Canadian entrants selected in any drawing will be required to correctly answer, without assistance of any kind, whether mechanical or otherwise, a time-limited mathematical skill-testing question to be administered by mail or by telephone.

If you are a potential winner, we will notify you by sending a message to the e-mail address, the phone number, or mailing address (if any) provided at time of entry within seven (7) days following the random drawing.  If the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may award the prize to an alternate, randomly selected winner. 

If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter the Sweepstakes . If you are a potential winner, we may require you to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release and a W-9 tax form or W-8 BEN tax form within 10 days of notification.  If you are a potential winner and you are 18 or older, but are considered a minor in your place of legal residence, we may require your parent or legal guardian to sign all required forms on your behalf.  If you do not complete the required forms as instructed and/or return the required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select an alternate, randomly selected winner.

If you are confirmed as a  winner of this Sweepstakes:

• You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services.  However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value; and

• You may not designate someone else as the winner.  If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we will award it to an alternate potential winner; and

• If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize; and

• If you are otherwise eligible for this Sweepstakes, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, we may award the prize to your parent/legal guardian on your behalf; and

• Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are subject to their manufacturer's warranty and / or terms and conditions. 

WHAT ARE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING?

Your odds of winning this Sweepstakes depend on the number of eligible entries we receive.

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE YOU AGREEING TO BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES?

By entering this Sweepstakes you agree:

• To abide by these Official Rules; and

• To release and hold harmless Microsoft,and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Sweepstakes or any prize won; and

• That Microsoft's decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Sweepstakes; and

• That by accepting a prize, Microsoft may use of your proper name and state of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Sweepstakes, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE WAY THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS EXECUTED AND ADMINISTRATED?

This Sweepstakes will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Sweepstakes.  

WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE SWEEPSTAKES CAN'T RUN AS PLANNED?

If cheating, a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Sweepstakes, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Sweepstakes.  This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Sweepstakes, we reserve the right to randomly select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Sweepstakes.

If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Sweepstakes, so please play fairly.

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHO WON?

We will post the names of winners who received a prize online at www.windowsteamblog.com. This list will remain posted one month after July 27, 2012.

WHO IS SPONSORING THIS SWEEPSTAKES?

Microsoft  Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052