NOTICE
WEBTOON® “CANVAS AWARDS” CONTEST (“CONTEST”)
OFFICIAL RULES
Effective: October 13, 2022 (“Effective Date”)
THIS CONTEST OF SKILL IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. NO PAYMENT OR PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE CHANCES OF WINNING. BY ENTERING, ENTRANT AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE DECISIONS OF THE JUDGES, WHICH SHALL BE FINAL IN ALL RESPECTS.
1. Eligibility
Open to WEBTOON CANVAS Creators who have at least one series published on the platform as of October 1, 2022 and are not otherwise ineligible (“Entrants”). The Contest is open to legal residents of all territories where participation in such a contest is allowed by applicable law. The Contest is otherwise void wherever it may be prohibited or restricted by applicable law, as well as in territories where promotion licensing and registration may be required or any territories sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, including Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya and Somalia. If selected as a winner, any Entrant under the age of eighteen (18) or otherwise not yet an adult in their country of residence, will be required to provide a parent or legal guardian’s written consent to participate and accept a prize in the Contest, and the parent or legal guardian must execute all required paperwork on the Entrant’s behalf. The following individuals are not eligible to enter the Contest: the employees, contractors, and interns, and immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, children) of such employees, contractors, and interns of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 220, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States (“Sponsor” or “WEBTOON”).
2. Contest Period
Entrants may be nominated for entry into the Contest between 6:00 p.m. (PDT) on October 13, 2022, and 6:00 p.m. (PDT) on October 20, 2022 (“Nomination Period”). The Contest shall run from October 13, 2022, through December 11, 2022 (“Contest Period”).
3. To Enter
To participate in the nomination process, Entrants and users must go to the nomination form and follow the onscreen instructions to submit a nomination form during the Nomination Period to nominate one of your WEBTOON CANVAS series that is eligible (the “Submission”). The nomination form requires the person completing the form to only choose one WEBTOON CANVAS series per category for nomination. Max one Submission per person, per WEBTOON account, and per email address. Entrants may not nominate themselves individually or their team. Only another CANVAS creator or a user may nominate an Entrant’s series for the Contest, and Submissions cannot be changed once submitted. FOR A SUBMISSION TO BE VALID, THE ENTRANT AND/OR USER MUST EXPRESSLY AGREE AND CONSENT TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES, THE TERMS OF SERVICE OF WEBTOON, AND THE PRIVACY POLICY OF WEBTOON. IF AN ENTRANT OR USER COMPLETING A NOMINATION FORM DOES NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, THEN PLEASE DO NOT USE THE NOMINATION FORM OR PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST. Follow the on-screen instructions in the nomination form. Submissions that do not include all required information and adhere to the Official Rules as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion will be considered void. Entrants that nominate themselves individually or their team shall be automatically disqualified.
Following the Nomination Period, WEBTOON judges will use the Judging Criteria (defined below) to select the finalists, which will consist of 4 series for each of the 9 Genre Categories (defined below) and 8 series in the Hidden Gems Category (defined below) (the “Finalists”). WEBTOON will announce the Finalists on or around November 14, 2022.
After the Finalists are announced, the Finalists become eligible to advance to the second phase of the Contest, which is when WEBTOON users or account holders vote for their favorite series from among the Finalists in each of the 10 categories (defined below) from 6:00 p.m. (PST) December 5, 2022, through 6:00 p.m. (PST) December 11, 2022 (the “Voting Period”). The series with the most votes in each of the 10 categories will be among the Contest winners announced on or around January 2, 2023.
The “Judging Criteria” that the WEBTOON judges will apply to the eligible Submissions in the 10 categories shall be:
Art Quality: 35% value.
Narrative: 35% value.
Readability: 30% value.
The “9 Genre Categories” are: Chilling, Comedy, Drama, Epic Adventure, Fantasy, Living & Learning, Power Within, Romance, and Slice-of-Life. Each of these categories will feature 20 of the most-read series based on page views collected between January 1, 2022, and September 1, 2022, for nomination within the specific category.
The “Star of 2022” category will feature the 20 most-read series overall that launched between October 1, 2021 and September 1, 2022.
The “Hidden Gems Category” will feature WEBTOON CANVAS series launched before January 2022, with fewer than 10,000 subscribers as of October 3, 2022.
The “10 categories” means the 9 Genre Categories plus the Hidden Gems Category.
If an Entrant or user wishes to nominate a series outside of the initial nominees provided for each category, they can select the option “Other” in the nomination form and write-in their choice. All series nominated by Entrants or users through this option must adhere to WEBTOON’s Community Policy and Uploading Guidelines to be considered eligible. Entrants and users should carefully review the guidelines before submitting a nomination under this option. If an Entrant or Entrant’s creative team has multiple series nominated via the write-in option described herein, only the series with the highest number of nominations will proceed to the Voting Period.
Entrants that have a concluded, ongoing, and/or upcoming WEBTOON Originals series (including any WEBTOON-produced series), or who have previously been declared or selected as winners in previous iterations of this Contest (such as the 2020 and/or 2021 CANVAS Awards) are not eligible for nomination.
THERE SHALL BE NO COST TO ENTER INTO ANY OF THE ROUNDS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
4. Selection of Winners
The one (1) series with the most votes from the Voting Period in each of the 9 Genre Categories shall each be a “CANVAS Winner.”
The one (1) series that is the most read series that was initially published on WEBTOON CANVAS between October 1, 2021 and September 1, 2022 shall be the “Star of 2022 Winner.”
The top three (3) series with the most votes from the Voting Period in the Hidden Gems Category shall each be a “Hidden Gems Winner.”
In the event of a tie, WEBTOON shall have the right to hold tie-breaking votes, as necessary, based on popularity as determined by the number of views of that series so far in calendar year 2022.
5. Prizes
The Contest prizes are as follows:
CANVAS Winners & Star of 2022 Winner
Each CANVAS Winner and the Star of 2022 Winner will be eligible to receive Five Thousand Dollars (US$5,000) plus an offer for a non-exclusive merchandising agreement with WEBTOON to sell merchandise designed by WEBTOON’s creative team or applicable third parties using assets from the corresponding series (terms and conditions of the offer to be disclosed to winners only) (a “CANVAS Prize”). Acceptance of the merchandising offer shall not be a condition to claiming the prize money or being declared a winner. LIMIT: Only one (1) winner per category. Each winner may only win one prize of any type. Approximate retail value (“ARV”) of all the CANVAS Prizes combined is Fifty Thousand Dollars (US$50,000).
Hidden Gems Winners
Each Hidden Gems Winner will be eligible to receive Five Hundred Dollars (US$500) (a “Hidden Gem Prize”). The total ARV of all Hidden Gems Prizes is One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars (US$1,500). WEBTOON reserves the right to substitute the Hidden Gems Prize for another prize of comparable value for any reason. In case of substitution, no difference in value will be awarded.
THE MAXIMUM TOTAL ARV OF ALL PRIZES IN CONTEST IS: US$51,500.
WEBTOON will not replace any lost, mutilated or stolen prizes and does not make any guarantees as to the quality of the prize(s).
6. Winner Notification
Potential winners (or winner's parent/legal guardian if winner is a minor in the state of his/her residence) will be notified by phone and/or email within six (6) weeks of the end of the Voting Period.
The Contest will be administered and votes shall be counted by WEBTOON, and all decisions by WEBTOON regarding this Contest are final and binding.
Winning teams must designate an individual from amongst their team to act as their representative for receiving and allocating the prize amongst the team. WEBTOON shall treat a team as a singular unit for purposes of awarding prizes (including but not limited to cash portions of the prizes).
In the event of a dispute as to the identity of the Entrant or winner, the authorized account holder for the series creator’s WEBTOON account shall be the natural person who owns the email address associated with the applicable WEBTOON account A potential winner may be requested to provide WEBTOON with proof that they are the authorized account holder of the WEBTOON account associated with the potentially winning series. If a dispute cannot be resolved to WEBTOON’s satisfaction, the Entrant will be deemed ineligible to win.
7. Prize Conditions
All nominations and votes are subject to verification prior to awarding of a prize. Eligibility, age, and claims made by a winner also are subject to verification prior to awarding of prizes. Prize winners must meet all the applicable requirements herein, including the timely execution and return of all necessary documents including but not limited to an affidavit of eligibility, a tax acknowledgement form, a liability release and, except where prohibited by law, a publicity release (collectively the “Prize Claim Documents”) within five (5) calendar days after accepting the prize. Additional document(s) may be required for all winners, and all selected winner(s) must continue to comply with timely return of documents. Each potential winner may be required, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, to: provide an email address, provide a physical mailing address suitable for prize delivery, and promptly coordinate any other details related to the shipment and receipt of their prize, Failure to cooperate promptly and in good faith with Sponsor on the shipment and delivery of the prize may lead to forfeiture of the prize and/or prize ineligibility in Sponsor’s reasonable discretion.
Non-compliance with each allotted time period(s) or failure of prize winners to respond after two notification attempts may result in disqualification and, at WEBTOON’s discretion, an alternate winner may be selected from among the remaining qualifying nominees. If (i) any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, (ii) a winner declines the prize (with the exception of WEBTOON’s offer for a non-exclusive merchandising agreement), (iii) a winner fails or refuses to acknowledge and return all Prize Claim Documents, or (iv) a winner fails to comply with any of the Official Rules as outlined herein, such winner will be disqualified and an alternate winner may be selected, at WEBTOON’s sole and absolute discretion.
Except where prohibited by law, each winner's acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for WEBTOON to use said winner’s name, WEBTOON username, pen name, avatar, photograph, likeness, statements, biographical information, voice, and city/state/country for promotional or advertising purposes in connection with this Contest on a worldwide basis, and in all forms of media, now or hereafter known, in perpetuity, without review, permission or further compensation.
Prizes will be forfeited and an alternate potential winner may be selected if any required documents are not returned within the required number of days or if any mail is returned as undeliverable without forwarding address. WEBTOON reserves the right, to require a potential winner to submit to a confidential background check to confirm eligibility and help ensure that the use of any such person in advertising or publicity for the Contest will not bring Sponsor into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule or reflect unfavorably on the Contest as determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion.
All international, federal, state or other tax liabilities (including income taxes) arising from this Contest will be the sole responsibility of the winners. Winners agree that WEBTOON may deduct and withhold from the prizes hereunder any sums, including all tax obligations, required to be withheld and/or paid by WEBTOON to any governmental authority pursuant to any law, statute, ordinance, rule, judgment, or decree now or hereafter in effect. WEBTOON has the right to withhold taxes it deems appropriate in its sole discretion or if required, including, but not limited to making double withholdings for the USA and Entrant’s country of residence. As applicable, the value of prizes received will be reported as other Income on a Form 1099-MISC, or other applicable tax form, as required by applicable rules and regulations.
If a nominee is found to be ineligible, or if a nominee does not comply with these Official Rules, then the winner will be disqualified, and an alternate winner will be selected. Winners waive the right to assert as a cost of winning a prize any and all costs of verification and redemption or travel to redeem said prize and any liability which might arise from redeeming or seeking to redeem said prize.
Entrants and winners have read and agree to comply with these Official Rules and WEBTOON’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
8. Representations, Warranties, and Indemnification
Each Entrant and winner represents and warrants that: the Entrant or team of Entrants do not have an ongoing Original Series with WEBTOON, are not contracted to work on an upcoming Original Series for WEBTOON, and/or are not working with a WEBTOON editor or producer to develop an Original Series with WEBTOON on or before the Effective Date of this Contest; any winning series must be the original work of the Entrant; Entrants and/or their nominated series have not won previous awards from WEBTOON, including the 2020 and/or 2021 CANVAS Awards; may not have been used publicly previously by the Entrant or any third party; must not infringe on any third party’s rights; must be suitable for publication (i.e., may not be obscene or indecent as determined in the sole discretion of WEBTOON); must not contain obscene or pornographic material; may not contain defamatory statements; may not invade privacy, publicity, or other rights of any person, firm or entity; may not in any other way violate applicable laws and regulations; may not contain any reference to any third party trademarks, names, or third party logos; and may not contain any copyrighted works owned by third parties.
All Entrants shall indemnify and hold harmless WEBTOON from and against any and all claims, losses, liability, or harm arising from Entrant’s breach of these Official Rules or infringement of any intellectual property rights. In addition, Contest winners, by acceptance of their prize, also agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless Sponsor and its respective parent and affiliated companies, and each of their employees, representatives, contractors, advertisers and sponsor (“Contest Parties”) from any and all liability, loss, damage, cost or claim related to the Contest or any WEBTOON site or platform.
9. Indemnification and Limitations of Liability
By receipt of any prize, winners (and their parents/legal guardians, if applicable) agree to indemnify, release, and hold harmless WEBTOON and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, suppliers, distributors, advertising/promotion agencies, and prize suppliers, and each of their respective parent companies and each such company’s officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, the "Released Parties") from and against any claim or cause of action, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death, or damage to or loss of property, arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use or misuse of any prize.
Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, printing, typographical or other errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest; (2) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the submission process or the Contest; (4) printing, typographical, technical, computer, network or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest, the uploading, the processing or validation of nominations or votes, the announcement of the prizes or in any Contest-related materials; (5) late, lost, undeliverable, damaged or stolen prizes or mail; or (6) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from participation in the Contest or receipt or use or misuse of any prize (including any travel/activity related thereto). Released Parties are not responsible for misdirected or undeliverable entries or for any technical problems, malfunctions of computer systems, servers, providers, hardware/software, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any combination thereof.
10. Force Majeure, Suspensions, and Modifications
In the event WEBTOON is prevented from awarding prizes or continuing with the Contest or a particular Contest drawing as contemplated herein by any event beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to fire, flood, natural or man-made epidemic of health of other means, earthquake, explosion, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, terrorist threat or activity, war (declared or undeclared) or any federal state or local government law, order, or regulation, public health crisis (e.g. Coronavirus), order of any court or jurisdiction, or other cause not reasonably within WEBTOON’s control (each a “Force Majeure” event or occurrence), then subject to any governmental approval which may be required, WEBTOON shall have the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Contest in whole or in part. WEBTOON reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Contest, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures, human error or any other factor impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest, as determined by WEBTOON in its sole discretion. If terminated, WEBTOON may, in its sole discretion, determine the winners from among all non-suspect, eligible series nominated up to time of such action using the procedure outlined above. WEBTOON, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the voting or nomination process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of the Official Rules of this or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner and void all associated nominations or votes. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law and, should such an attempt be made, WEBTOON reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies (including attorneys’ fees) from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. WEBTOON’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
WEBTOON reserves the right to change prizes, eligibility criteria, and other rules in the Contest in its sole discretion and may materially alter, modify, suspend or terminate the Contest or any component of the Contest at any time upon notice, which notice may be provided through the WEBTOON website, application, mail, email, push notification, or such other methods as determined by WEBTOON in its sole discretion. WEBTOON reserves the right to make non-material updates to the Contest Official Rules from time to time without notice. Entrants may need to agree to updated versions of the terms if required by WEBTOON. WEBTOON will not be liable to any Entrant in the event of any change, suspension, or discontinuation of the Contest.
11. Disputes
Except where prohibited, each Entrant and winner agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resorting to any form of class action, and exclusively by the competent jurisdiction within Los Angeles, California, United States; (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Contest, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (3) under no circumstances will any Entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and Entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, indirect, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the Entrant and WEBTOON in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules.
12. Severability and Waiver
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.
Failure by WEBTOON to enforce any of its rights at any time does not constitute a waiver of those rights.
13. Rules and Winners List
For a copy of these Official Rules or winners list, send a self-addressed stamped envelope by March 31, 2023 to: CANVAS Awards - Winners, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 220, Los Angeles, CA 90036 United States. The winners list will also be posted here.
14. Sponsor and Administrator
The Sponsor and Administrator of the Contest is WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 220, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States.