14/02/2024
“Valentine’s Day” Sweepstakes
Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
This “Valentine’s Day” Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) is sponsored by Simon & Schuster, LLC (“Sponsor”). Sponsor, its parent company, subsidiaries and affiliates, and any other companies or agencies associated with the Sweepstakes (such as technology, advertising, promotion, fulfillment or judging partners), will hereinafter collectively be referred to as the “Sweepstakes Entities.”
Sweepstakes may only be entered in or from the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and Submissions (as defined below) originating from any other jurisdiction are not eligible for entry. This Sweepstakes is governed exclusively by the laws of the United States. You are not authorized to participate in the Sweepstakes if you are not located within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
Note that these Official Rules contain an arbitration provision below in Section 10. Disputes; Governing Law, and it applies to your participation in the Sweepstakes. Except for any Excluded Disputes (as defined below in Section 10. Disputes; Governing Law), you and Sponsor agree that disputes between you and Sponsor will be resolved by binding, individual arbitration and you waive your right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.
1. How to Enter: During the Sweepstakes Period (as defined below), visit Sponsor’s page on Instagram, located at https://www.instagram.com/gallerybooks/, post a question about the featured book on Sponsor’s Sweepstakes post (a “Submission”).
You must have Internet access, a valid Instagram account, and comply with the Terms of Service found at https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870 to enter the Sweepstakes. If you do not have an Instagram account, you can create one by visiting www.Instagram.com. Instagram accounts are free.
All entrants must have a valid email address. You must make sure that you are able to be reached by Instagram Direct Messenger.
Limit one (1) Submission per person/email address. Duplicate Submissions by the same person will be subject to disqualification. Any other attempted form of Submission is prohibited. No automatic, programmed; robotic or similar means of Submission are permitted. All Submissions become the sole and exclusive property of the Sponsor. Receipt of Submissions will not be acknowledged or returned.
The Sweepstakes Entities are not responsible for: (i) technical, hardware, software, telephone or other communications malfunctions, errors or failures of any kind; (ii) lost or unavailable network connections, web site, Internet, or ISP availability, unauthorized human intervention, traffic congestion, incomplete or inaccurate capture of Submission information (regardless of cause); (iii) lost, late, illegible, stolen, invalid, unintelligible, misdirected, failed, incomplete, technically corrupt or garbled Submissions, which will be disqualified; (iv) jumbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit one’s ability to enter the Sweepstakes; (v) any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes; (vi) or for problems of any other kind whether mechanical, human, or electronic.
All terms and conditions of Instagram.com apply. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same Instagram account. Any attempt by any entrant to obtain more than the stated number of Submission by using multiple/different Instagram accounts, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void that entrant's Submission and that entrant may be disqualified. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. In the event of a dispute as to any Instagram account, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register on the platform will be deemed to be the entrant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Each potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder.
If you choose to enter via Instagram using your mobile device, standard data fees may apply. You should consult your wireless service provider's pricing plan for details. You agree to incur any and all charges demanded by your wireless carrier. You should also check your device's features for capabilities and check the device manual for specific use instructions.
BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES, YOU CONSENT TO THE SWEEPSTAKES ENTITIES EMAILING YOU IF YOU ARE THE WINNER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISTRIBUTING THE PRIZE(S).
2. Eligibility: Participation open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years old and have reached the age of majority in their state of residence by the date they enter the Sweepstakes, have a valid email address, and are able to be reached by Instagram Direct Messenger. Void outside of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Employees, officers, and directors of Sweepstakes Entities, in addition to their respective immediate families (parents, children, siblings, spouse) or members of the same household (whether related or not) of such employees, officers and directors are not eligible to enter. You are not authorized to participate in the Sweepstakes if you are not located within the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.
3. Start/End Dates: Sweepstakes begins at 10:00:00 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) on 2/14/24 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 2/14/24 (the “Sweepstakes Period”).
4. Submission Guidelines and Content Restrictions: By entering the Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees that entrant’s Submission conforms to the Submission Guidelines and Content Restrictions as defined below (collectively, the “Guidelines and Restrictions”) and that Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may remove any Submission and disqualify an entrant from the Sweepstakes if it believes, in its sole discretion, that the entrant’s Submission fails to conform to the Guidelines and Restrictions.
By entering, each entrant warrants and represents the following with respect to entrant’s Submission:
Submission Guidelines:
• The Submission must not exceed 50 characters in length.
• The Submission must be in English.
• Entrant is the sole and exclusive owner of the Submission
• If applicable, any third parties appearing in the Submission have given entrant appropriate consent to be photographed and used as permitted herein. Sponsor reserves the right to request releases from any third parties appearing in any Submissions at any time. Failure to produce third party releases upon Sponsor’s request may result in disqualification, as determined by Sponsor is its sole and absolute discretion.
Content Restrictions:
• The Submission must not contain material that violates or infringes any rights of any other party, including but not limited to copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or any other intellectual property rights;
• The Submission must not disparage Sponsor or any other person or party;
• The Submission must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene hateful, tortious, defamatory, slanderous, or libelous;
• The Submission must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred, or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age;
• The Submission must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations of the United States or of any jurisdiction where Submission is created;
• The Submission must be consistent with the image and values of Sponsor and be consistent with and satisfy the purpose of the Sweepstakes.
Each entrant acknowledges that other entrants may have used ideas and/or concepts in their Submission that may be similar in idea or concept to what is included in entrant’s Submission. Each entrant understands and agrees that he/she shall not have any claim against any other entrant or Sponsor arising out any such similarity or be entitled to any compensation because of any such similarity.
Sponsor’s decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes, including, but not limited to, interpretation and application of these Official Rules
Each Submission submitted by an entrant throughout the Sweepstakes Period must be different than other Submissions submitted by that entrant, as determined by Sponsor in its sole or absolute discretion. Delivery of prizes requires a street address (no P.O. Boxes).
5. Random Drawing/Odds: Winner(s) will be selected on or about 12/15/24 at 12:00:00 PM ET in New York, NY in a random drawing from all Submissions received by the end of the Sweepstakes Period. Odds of winning depend on the number of Submissions received for the drawing. Drawing will be conducted by Sponsor. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these rules, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes.
6. Prize(s): Five (5) Grand Prize winners will each receive: one (1) advanced reader’s copy of THE PARADISE PROBLEM by Christina Lauren (approximate retail value “ARV” $5.00), one (1) trade paperback copy of THE TRUE LOVE EXPERIMENT by Christina Lauren (“ARV” $18.99), and one (1) trade paperback copy of THE SOULMATE EQUATION by Christina Lauren (“ARV” $16.99).
Total ARV of each Grand Prize: $40.98
Total ARV of all prizes combined: $204.90
Prize(s) is/are non-transferable. No substitutions or cash redemptions. In the case of unavailability of [any] prize, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value. All taxes and unspecified expenses are the responsibility of winner(s). Limit one prize per person or household.
7. Notification: Potential winner(s) will be notified by a direct message from Sponsor on his/her Instagram account on or by 2/15/24. Potential winner(s) will be required to respond to Sponsor within five (5) calendar days of notification. Potential winner(s) may be required to complete and return, where legal, an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release and/or rights transfer document and/or a W-9. If potential winner(s) are deemed to be ineligible in accordance with these Official Rules, if potential winner(s) cannot be contacted due to their settings on their social media account, if potential winner(s) do not respond to Sponsor within five (5) calendar days of Sponsor’s first notification attempt, if any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, if potential winner(s) rejects his/her prize, or in the event of noncompliance with these Sweepstakes rules and requirements, then such prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner(s) will be selected from all remaining Submissions (time-permitting). Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given.
8. Conditions. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER(S). Participation in Sweepstakes and acceptance of prize constitutes winner’s permission for Sponsor to use his/her name, address (city and state), likeness, photograph, picture, portrait, voice, biographical information and/or any statements made by each winner regarding the Sweepstakes or Sponsor for advertising and promotional purposes without notice or additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. By participating, entrants and winner(s) agree to release and hold harmless the Sweepstakes Entities from any and all liability, for loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death which may occur in connection with, preparation for, travel to, or participation in Sweepstakes, or possession, acceptance and/or use or misuse of prize or participation in any Sweepstakes-related activity and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy and merchandise delivery. Sponsor is not responsible if Sweepstakes cannot take place or if any prize cannot be awarded due to travel cancellations, delays, or interruptions due to acts of God, acts of war, pandemics, epidemics, natural disasters, weather, acts of terrorism, or any other acts outside the control of Sponsor. Entrants who do not comply with these Official Rules or attempt to interfere with this Sweepstakes in any way shall be disqualified. There is no purchase or sales presentation required to participate. A purchase does not increase odds of winning.
9. Additional Terms. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, extend, or suspend this Sweepstakes should (in its sole discretion) virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, epidemics, pandemics, or other causes beyond its control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes. In such case, Sponsor will select the potential winner from all Submissions received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds, in its sole discretion, to be tampering with the Submission process or the operation of the Sweepstakes. Sponsor may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or Sponsor representatives.
CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE; THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
10. Limitation of Liability; Disclaimer of Warranties. The parties waive all rights to trial in any action or proceeding instituted in connection with these Official Rules, including, without limitation, the Sweepstakes. Except for disputes relating to the infringement of your or Sponsor’s intellectual property (such as trademarks, trade dress, copyright and patents) or where Sponsor is seeking a preliminary injunction (“Excluded Disputes”), you agree that all disputes between you and Sponsor (whether or not such dispute involves a third party) with regard to these Official Rules, including, without limitation, the Sweepstakes, will be resolved by binding, individual arbitration and you hereby expressly waive trial by jury. As an alternative, you may bring your claim in your local “small claims” court, if permitted by that small claims court’s rules. Neither you nor Sponsor will participate in a class action or class-wide arbitration for any claims covered by this agreement. This dispute resolution provision will be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and, where consistent, New York law.
Any such arbitration shall be administered by the JAMS Mediation, Arbitration and ADR Services (“JAMS”) in accordance with its then governing rules and procedures applicable to consumer arbitrations, including the JAMS Streamlined/Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and the JAMS Consumer Arbitration Minimum Standards (the “JAMS Rules”). Contact information for JAMS, as well as copies of the JAMS Rules and applicable forms, are available at http://www.jamsadr.com. You and we agree that, under JAMS Rule 6(e), any arbitration between us shall be consolidated with any other arbitration(s) submitted to JAMS if and only if the arbitrations involve: (a) the same legal causes of action; (b) common issues of fact and law; and (c) the same counsel. However, class arbitrations are not permitted. Payment of the fees will be determined by the JAMS Rules and fee schedule in place at the time.
Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction. Any provision of applicable law notwithstanding, the arbitrators will not have authority to award punitive or exemplary damages. You agree that any action at law or in equity relating to the arbitration provision of these Official Rules or the Excluded Disputes will be filed only in the state or federal courts located in New York, NY and you hereby consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action.
THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE INTERPRETATION OF ITS TERMS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAWS RULES.
For any matters which are not subject to arbitration as set forth in these Official Rules and/or in connection with the entering of any judgment on an arbitration award in connection with these Official Rules and/or the Sweepstakes, the parties irrevocably submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in or closest to the County of New York in the State of New York. The parties agree not to raise the defense of forum non conveniens.
11. Disputes; Governing Law: The parties waive all rights to trial in any action or proceeding instituted in connection with these Official Rules, including, without limitation, the Sweepstakes.
Except for disputes relating to the infringement of your or Sponsor’s intellectual property (such as trademarks, trade dress, copyright and patents) or where Sponsor is seeking a preliminary injunction (“Excluded Disputes”), you agree that all disputes between you and Sponsor (whether or not such dispute involves a third party) with regard to these Official Rules, including, without limitation, the Sweepstakes, will be resolved by binding, individual arbitration and you hereby expressly waive trial by jury. As an alternative, you may bring your claim in your local “small claims” court, if permitted by that small claims court’s rules. Neither you nor Sponsor will participate in a class action or class-wide arbitration for any claims covered by this agreement. This dispute resolution provision will be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and, where consistent, New York law.
Any such arbitration shall be administered by the JAMS Mediation, Arbitration and ADR Services (“JAMS”) in accordance with its then governing rules and procedures applicable to consumer arbitrations, including the JAMS Streamlined/Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and the JAMS Consumer Arbitration Minimum Standards (the “JAMS Rules”). Contact information for JAMS, as well as copies of the JAMS Rules and applicable forms, are available at http://www.jamsadr.com. You and we agree that, under JAMS Rule 6(e), any arbitration between us shall be consolidated with any other arbitration(s) submitted to JAMS if and only if the arbitrations involve: (a) the same legal causes of action; (b) common issues of fact and law; and (c) the same counsel. However, class arbitrations are not permitted. Payment of the fees will be determined by the JAMS Rules and fee schedule in place at the time.
Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction. Any provision of applicable law notwithstanding, the arbitrators will not have authority to award punitive or exemplary damages. You agree that any action at law or in equity relating to the arbitration provision of these Official Rules or the Excluded Disputes will be filed only in the state or federal courts located in New York, NY and you hereby consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action.
THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE INTERPRETATION OF ITS TERMS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAWS RULES. For any matters which are not subject to arbitration as set forth in these Official Rules and/or in connection with the entering of any judgment on an arbitration award in connection with these Official Rules and/or the Sweepstakes, the parties irrevocably submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in or closest to the County of New York in the State of New York. The parties agree not to raise the defense of forum non conveniens.
12. Use of Data: Sponsor will be collecting personal data about entrants online, in accordance with its Privacy Policy. By participating in the Sweepstakes, entrants hereby agree to Sponsor’s collection and usage of their personal information and that they have read and acknowledge Sponsor’s Privacy Policy.
13. Name of winner/List of Winners: To obtain a list of winner(s), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope by 5/15/24 to: Anabel Jimenez, Simon & Schuster, LLC, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
14. Sponsor: Simon & Schuster, LLC, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
THIS PROMOTION IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED OR ADMINISTERED BY, OR ASSOCIATED WITH INSTAGRAM OR META PLATFORMS, INC. YOU ARE PROVIDING YOUR INFORMATION TO SPONSOR AND NOT TO INSTAGRAM OR META PLATFORMS, INC.
