Innovation Competition Submission Form

1. Introduction: By submitting an entry to the Footwear InnovationCompetition (the “Competition”), you (“Participant”) acknowledge and agreeto these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). The Footwear InnovationFoundation (“Foundation”) reserves the right to modify these Terms at anytime. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not submit an entry.

2. Eligibility: The Competition is open to individuals and teams who meetthe eligibility criteria outlined in the official Competition rules. Employees, contractors, board members, and immediate family members of the Footwear Innovation Foundation are not eligible to participate.

3. Intellectual Property & Submission Rights: By submitting an entry, you agree that:

• Ownership: You retain ownership of your idea. However, by participating, you grant the Footwear Innovation Foundation a royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to use, modify, display, distribute, and publish your submission for purposes related to the Competition and the advancement of innovation in footwear.
• No Confidentiality: Submissions are not considered confidential. The Foundation is under no obligation to keep any submission confidential and is not liable for any claim that a submission is similar to ideas independently developed or submitted by others.
• Responsibility for IP: You warrant that your submission does not infringe upon any intellectual property rights of any third party. If any claim arises, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Footwear Innovation Foundation from any related liability or costs.
• No Non-Compete or Contractual Issues: You warrant that your submission does not infringe upon any labor contracts you are engaged in with footwear companies. If any claim arises, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Footwear Innovation Foundation from any related liability or costs.

4. Compensation and Obligation:

• No Guaranteed Use: Submission of an idea does not create any obligation for the Footwear Innovation Foundation to review, provide feedback, provide any funds, or help you develop the idea.
• Compensation: Participants will not be entitled to any financial compensation beyond any prizes explicitly outlined in the Competition rules.

5. Release & Limitation of Liability: By participating, you:

• Waive any right to sue the Footwear Innovation Foundation for any claims related to your submission or participation in the Competition.
• Acknowledge that the Foundation is not responsible for technical failures, lost or incomplete submissions, or damages arising from participation.
• Agree that the Foundation reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Competition and the financial prizes at its sole discretion.

6. Disqualification: The Footwear Innovation Foundation reserves the right to disqualify any submission that:

• Violates these Terms.
• Contains offensive, unlawful, or inappropriate content.
• Fails to comply with submission guidelines.

7. Governing Law & Disputes: These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth ofVirginia, USA. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts locatedin Virginia, USA.

By submitting an entry, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms.