Terms of Service

1. Eligibility

You represent and warrant that you:

• Are at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
• Are not prohibited from participating by any applicable law or regulation
• Can legally receive payments in your jurisdiction

Prohibited Regions

This program is void where prohibited by law. Residents of the following regions are not eligible to participate: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea region of Ukraine, and any other territory subject to comprehensive U.S. economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), or where participation would otherwise violate applicable export controls or sanctions laws.

Restricted Regions (Special Consideration Required)

Residents of the following jurisdictions may apply but must disclose their location in their application. Selection and prize payment in these regions is subject to additional review and approval by the Company at its sole discretion, and may require special terms or alternative arrangements:

• Brazil
• Italy
• Quebec, Canada
• Belgium
• China
• Russia
• India
• Any jurisdiction where prize-based competitions require government registration, bonding, or other regulatory compliance

If you reside in a restricted region, you acknowledge that: (a) the Company may decline your application solely based on your location; (b) if selected, prize payment may not be possible or may require modified terms; and (c) you are solely responsible for determining and complying with any local laws applicable to your participation.

2. Application & Selection

By submitting an application, you acknowledge that selection is at our sole and absolute discretion. We are under no obligation to select any applicant, provide feedback, or communicate reasons for non-selection. No timeline for decisions is provided or implied.

3. Intellectual Property Assignment

YOU HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ASSIGN to the Company all right, title, and interest in and to any and all intellectual property, including but not limited to:

• All content, ideas, concepts, suggestions, feedback, and materials submitted as part of your application
• All work product, submissions, responses, designs, code, text, images, and any other materials created, conceived, or developed during your participation in any program
• All derivative works, improvements, modifications, and enhancements thereto
• All patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights therein

This assignment is worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, fully paid-up, royalty-free, and includes the right to sublicense through multiple tiers. You waive any moral rights or rights of attribution.

You agree to execute any documents and take any actions reasonably requested by the Company to perfect, evidence, or enforce this assignment. You appoint the Company as your attorney-in-fact to execute such documents on your behalf if you fail to do so within ten (10) business days of request.

You acknowledge and agree that you shall have no ownership interest, compensation claim, or other rights with respect to any intellectual property assigned hereunder, regardless of how such intellectual property is used, commercialized, or monetized by the Company.

4. Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure

"Confidential Information" means any and all non-public information disclosed by the Company, including but not limited to:

• Program structure, questions, prompts, challenges, and methodologies
• Business plans, strategies, roadmaps, and product concepts
• Information about other participants, cohorts, or submissions
• Technical information, systems, processes, and know-how
• Any information marked or reasonably understood to be confidential

You agree to:

• Hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence
• Not disclose Confidential Information to any third party without prior written consent
• Not use Confidential Information for any purpose other than participation in the program
• Not reverse engineer, decompile, or derive the structure of any systems or methodologies
• Immediately notify the Company of any unauthorized disclosure or use

These confidentiality obligations shall survive for a period of five (5) years from the date of disclosure, or indefinitely for trade secrets.

Violation of this section may result in immediate disqualification and legal action for damages, including injunctive relief.

5. Non-Compete & Non-Circumvention

During your participation and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, you agree not to:

• Develop, launch, or participate in any competing product, service, or business that utilizes concepts, methodologies, or insights derived from your participation
• Solicit, recruit, or hire other participants or Company personnel
• Circumvent the Company to directly engage with sponsors, partners, or other parties introduced through the program

6. Prizes & Compensation

Prize amounts are as stated on the website at time of application. Winners are solely responsible for any applicable taxes, fees, or withholdings. Prizes are non-transferable and may be paid via PayPal, wire transfer, or equivalent method available in your region. We reserve the right to modify prize structures for future cohorts. Prize payment is contingent upon compliance with all terms herein.

7. Representations & Warranties

You represent and warrant that:

• All information you provide is accurate and complete
• Your submissions are original and do not infringe any third-party rights
• You have the authority to assign intellectual property as required herein
• Your participation does not violate any agreement with a current or former employer

8. Disqualification & Termination

We may immediately disqualify or terminate your participation if you:

• Violate any provision of these Terms
• Breach confidentiality obligations
• Submit fraudulent, misleading, or plagiarized content
• Fail to complete required activities within specified timeframes
• Engage in harassment, abuse, or disruptive behavior
• Attempt to manipulate voting or outcomes

Upon termination, your confidentiality, IP assignment, and non-compete obligations shall survive.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE COMPANY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR OPPORTUNITIES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF ANY PRIZE ACTUALLY PAID TO YOU.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from your breach of these Terms or your participation in the program.

11. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising hereunder shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. You waive any right to participate in a class action.

12. Modifications

We may update these Terms at any time by posting the revised version. Continued participation after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. Material changes will be communicated to active participants.

13. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable.

14. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding your participation and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

Contact

For questions regarding these Terms: legal@gordiancut.com