Official Rules

Google Summer of Earth Engine Program Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF INDIA ONLY

ENTRY IN THIS PROGRAM CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

The Google Summer of Earth Engine Program (the “Program”) is a skill program where participants must develop and submit a poster paper for conducting impact-based analysis relating to a project using the Google Earth Engine platform. The project proposal that you develop will be evaluated by judges, who will choose five finalist in accordance with these Official Rules. The opportunity to participate in the Program will be awarded to applicants with the highest score based on the judging criteria. See below for the complete details.

1. BINDING AGREEMENT: In order to enter the Program, you (as a participant) must agree to these Official Rules (“Rules”). Therefore, please read these Rules prior to entry to ensure you understand and agree. You agree that your entry in the Program constitutes your agreement to these Rules. You may not submit an entry to the Program and are not eligible to receive the fees described in these Rules unless you agree to these Rules. These Rules form a binding legal agreement between you and Google (defined below) with respect to the Program.

2. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to enter the Program, you must be: (1) above the age of majority at the time of entry; (2) an Indian citizen; (3) (i) an early-career researcher who has graduated from a formal academic program no earlier than 3 years before 15-Mar-2019; or (ii) students enrolled in a full-time or part-time undergraduate, post graduate or doctoral course of study, at any University or College in India, as of the Application Period; (4) have access to Google Earth Engine; and (5) be unemployed as of 15 March, 2019.

The Program is void in any other country other than India, and where prohibited by law. Employees, interns, contractors, and official office-holders of Google, its affiliates and of the Participant Organizations, and their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, advertising and promotion agencies, representatives, and agents (“Program Entities”), and members of the Program Entities’ and their immediate families (parents, siblings, children, spouses, and life partners of each, regardless of where they live) and members of the households (whether related or not) of such employees, officers and directors are ineligible to participate in this Program. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility and to adjudicate on any dispute at any time.

3. SPONSOR: The Program is sponsored by Google LLC (formerly Google Inc.) (“Google” or “Sponsor”), a Delaware corporation with principal place of business at 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA.

4. APPLICATION PERIOD: The Application period for the program begins at 12:00:00 A.M. IST on 15 March, 2019 and ends at 11:59:59 P.M. IST on 15 April, 2019 (“Application Period”).

5. HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER THE PROGRAM. To enter the Program, visit the Program website located at https://sites.google.com/corp/view/summerofearthengine/home (“Program Site”) during the Application Period and submit the registration form at https://sites.google.com/corp/view/summerofearthengine/students (the “Registration Form”) containing a proposal (“Project Proposal”) for a project proposed by a Participating Organization and denoted at https://sites.google.com/corp/view/summerofearthengine/projects (“Project”). The Project Proposal must meet the following requirements (“Program Requirements”):

(a) the proposed Project should be executed end-to-end using Google Earth Engine.

(b) should be feasible for completion in three months during the Program Period.

(d) it must not be derogatory, offensive, threatening, defamatory, disparaging, libelous or contain any content that is inappropriate, indecent, sexual, profane, tortuous, slanderous, discriminatory in any way, or that promotes hatred or harm against any group or person, or otherwise does not comply with the theme and spirit of the Program or the Project.

(e) it must not contain content, material or any element that is unlawful, or otherwise in violation of or contrary to all applicable national, state, or local laws and regulations.

(f) it must not contain any content, material or element that displays any third party advertising, slogan, logo, trademark or otherwise indicates a sponsorship or endorsement by a third party, commercial entity or that is not within the spirit of the Program, as determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion or the Project.

(g) it must be original, unpublished works that does not contain, incorporate or otherwise use any content, material or element that is owned by a third party or entity.

(h) it cannot contain any content, element, or material that violates a third party’s publicity, privacy or intellectual property rights.

(i) it is not the subject of any actual or threatened litigation or claim.

(j) it does not include any disparaging remarks, content relating to the Sponsor or a third party.

(k) Written parts of entries must be in English to be eligible. The Project Proposal must, at a minimum, must support English language use.

LIMIT ONE (1) ENTRY PER PERSON. Subsequent entries will be disqualified. All entries must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. (IST) on 15 April, 2019. Entries are void if they are in whole or part illegible, incomplete, damaged, altered, counterfeit, obtained through fraud, or late. All entries will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry, and the potential finalist may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder for that email address. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned to an email address by an Internet service provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain.

During the Application Period, the Judges (defined below) will be evaluating each Project Proposal to ensure that it meets the Program Requirements. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entrant who submits a Project Proposal that does not meet the Requirements. Incomplete entries or entries not complying with these Rules are subject to disqualification.

6. JUDGING: Each entry will be judged by a panel of experts (“Judges”) selected by the Sponsor for this Program and denoted at https://sites.google.com/corp/view/summerofearthengine/participating-orgs (“Participating Organisations”). On or about 25th March 2019, each Project Proposal will be evaluated by the Judges based on the following broad criteria:

Overall approach for implementation of Project.
Detailedness of proposal in terms of execution.
Creativity in terms of suggestions for improvements/innovations to the Project.
Feasibility of execution over Program Period.
Participant’s prior experience working with Google Earth Engine platform.
Participant’s background in related research domain.

Judges will evaluate and attribute a score to each Project Proposal made up of scores based upon the above-listed criteria. The five entries (1 entry per Project per participant) that receive the highest overall scores will be selected as the potential finalist(s). In the event of a tie, the Project Proposal that received the higher score from the Judges in the category of ‘Overall approach for implementation of Project’ will be selected as one of the potential finalists. In the event a potential finalist is disqualified for any reason, the Project Proposal that received the next highest total score will be chosen as the potential finalist.

On or about 30 April, 2019, the potential finalists will be selected and notified by email to your email address registered at the time of making your entry. If a potential finalist does not respond by accepting the notification attempt within three (3) days from the notification attempt, then such potential finalist will be disqualified and an alternate potential finalist will be selected from among all eligible entries received based on the judging criteria described herein. Except where prohibited by law, each potential finalist may be required to provide any additional information and proofs that may be required by Sponsor. To confirm your participation of a potential finalist in the Program, the potential finalist will be required to accept the terms of a participant agreement (“Participant Agreement”) and if required, must provide all such required documents requested by Google within 2 business days following attempted notification or such potential finalist will be deemed disqualified from the Program and another potential finalist will be selected based on the judging criteria described herein. All notification requirements, as well as other requirements within these Rules, will be strictly enforced.

Determinations of Judges are final and binding.

7. FEES: Each confirmed finalist (5 participants) will be paid fees of INR 1,20,000/-, the amount will be received by you over the course of the program period for three months from 1 May 2019 to 31 July 2019 (“Program Period”). The fees is provided to support your Project Submission for the Program.

The fees will be received subject to confirmation and receiving the Participation Agreement and other required documents and proofs as requested. You will forfeit the fees (whole or part) if you fail to provide required documentation or comply with your responsibilities relating to the Program and Project during the Program Period.

If a potential finalist fails to provide such documentation or comply with such laws, the fees may be forfeited and Google may, in its sole discretion, select an alternative potential finalist.

8. DURING THE PROGRAM PERIOD: Once your Project Proposal is accepted you are assigned a mentor from the Participating Organization linked to the Project (“Mentor”). Consistent access to mentors is one of the most valuable parts of the Program. Your mentor is going to work with you throughout the Program to help you be successful, but you also need to make sure you are contributing to and helping to manage your relationship with your mentor. To complete the Program, you will be required to submit on or before the deadline a poster paper (“Program Submission”).

You will perform all necessary additional steps required to complete the Program within the Program Period, including:

work with your mentor to layout a clear schedule for regular meetings, reports, check-ins and any planned time off.
setting progressive milestones with completion dates under the guidance of the Mentor.
be committed during the Program Period. If you know in advance that you’ll need to take a couple of days of vacation/break during the Program Period, you should communicate that with your Mentor beforehand and plan to make up for lost days.
enabling assessment of the milestones achieved by your Mentor.
review and feedback regarding your Project Submission from your Mentor at regular intervals through mutually agreed communication channels and on mutually agreed days. It is extremely important that you and your Mentor are on the same page in terms of the project status and plans. Your mentor is your biggest resource and you should make sure that you capitalize on that well.
be respectful to your Mentors time. Regularly missing scheduled meetings without prior notice and failing to come prepared to meetings is likely to cause your Mentor to not want to continue helping you with your Project Submission. Remember your Mentor is your most valuable resource to help you complete the Program successfully.
working diligently to complete the Project Submission in accordance with the progressive milestones and as per the criteria of the Participating Organization.
participating in the Participating Organization’s community and adhering to the Organization's internal rules and codes of conduct.
completing a mid-term evaluation with the Mentor to assess the Participant’s progress.
submitting the Project Submission by the deadline.

If the Sponsor reasonably believes that you have failed to meet the foregoing responsibilities, the Sponsor may remove you from the Program.

9. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION AND COMPLETION: You must submit your Project Submission through the Program Site by 11:59 p.m. (IST) on August 15, 2019. If you fail to do so, you will be deemed to have received a failing grade on the final, regardless of the actual grade you have received from the Mentor. Successful completion of the Program, you will be awarded with a certificate of participation. In addition to this, your Project Submission may be displayed on the Program Site at the Sponsor or its affiliates discretion.

10. TAXES: PAYMENTS TO POTENTIAL WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE EXPRESS REQUIREMENT THAT THEY SUBMIT TO GOOGLE ALL DOCUMENTATION REQUESTED BY GOOGLE TO PERMIT IT TO COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL AND FOREIGN (INCLUDING PROVINCIAL) TAX REPORTING AND WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENTS. ALL FEES WILL BE NET OF ANY TAXES GOOGLE IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO WITHHOLD. ALL TAXES IMPOSED ON THE FEES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FINALIST. In order to receive a fees, potential finalist must submit the tax documentation requested by Google or otherwise required by applicable law, to Google or the relevant tax authority, all as determined by applicable law, including, where relevant, the law of the potential winner’s country of residence. The potential finalists are responsible for ensuring that (s)he complies with all the applicable tax laws and filing requirements. If a potential finalist fails to provide such documentation or comply with such laws, the fees may be forfeited and Google may, in its sole discretion, select an alternative potential winner.

11. GENERAL CONDITIONS: All federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations apply. Google reserves the right to disqualify you from the Program if, in Google’s sole discretion, it reasonably believes that you have attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of the Program by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices or annoys, abuses, threatens or harasses any other participant, Google, or the Judges or your Mentor.

12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: By submitted the Project Proposal and the Project Submission in this Program, you warrant and represent that (s)he owns all of the intellectual and industrial property rights in and to the Project Proposal and the Project Submission. Further, the participant agrees that if any portion of the Project Proposal or the Project Submission along with any research paper result from the Project Submission should be deemed to be owned by the participant that (s)he will, as a condition of entry to the Program, grant Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, publicly perform, publicly display and create a derivative work from, the Project Proposal or the Project Submission that participant submits solely for the purposes of allowing Google to advertise, display, demonstrate, or otherwise promote the Program or Google Earth Engine. The participant specifically agrees that Google shall have the right to use, reproduce, publicly perform, and publicly display the Project Proposal or the Project Submission in connection with the advertising and promotion of the Program and Google Earth Engine, via communication to the public or other groups, including, but not limited to the right to make screenshots, animations and video clips available for promotional purposes.

13. PRIVACY: You acknowledge and agree that Google may collect, store, share and otherwise use personally identifiable information provided during the registration process and the Program, including, but not limited to, name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. Google will use this information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/), including for administering the Program and verifying your identity, email address and telephone number in the event an entry qualifies for any payment.

Your information may also be transferred to countries outside the country of your residence, including the United States. Such other countries may not have privacy laws and regulations similar to those of the country of your residence.

If you do not provide the mandatory data required at registration or for participation in the Program, Google reserves the right to disqualify the entry.

You have the right to request access, review, rectification or deletion of any personal data held by Google in connection with the Program by writing to Google at this email address geoforgood-india@google.com.

14. PUBLICITY: By accepting fees, you agree to Sponsor and its agencies use of your name and/or likeness and the Project Proposal or Project Submission for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.

15. WARRANTY, INDEMNITY AND RELEASE: You warrant that your Project Proposal and Project Submission is your original work and, as such, they are the sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the submitted Project Proposal and Project Submission and that you have the right to submit the Project Proposal and Project Submission in the Program and grant all required licenses. You agree not to submit any Project Proposal and Project Submission that (1) infringes any third party proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, personal or moral rights or any other rights, including without limitation, copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, privacy, publicity or confidentiality obligations; or (2) otherwise violates the applicable state or federal law.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, you indemnify and agree to keep indemnified Program Entities at all times from and against any liability, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs and expenses resulting from any act, default or omission of the entrant and/or a breach of any warranty set forth herein. To the maximum extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Program Entities from and against any and all claims, actions, suits or proceedings, as well as any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of or accruing from (a) any Project Proposal or Project Submission or other material uploaded or otherwise provided by you that infringes any copyright, trademark, trade secret, trade dress, patent or other intellectual property right of any person or defames any person or violates their rights of publicity or privacy, (b) any misrepresentation made by you in connection with the Program; (c) any non-compliance by you with these Rules; (d) claims brought by persons or entities other than the parties to these Rules arising from or related to your involvement with the Program; and (e) acceptance, possession, misuse or use of the fees or participation in any Program-related activity or participation in this Program.

You release Google from any liability associated with: (a) any malfunction or other problem with the Program Site; (b) any error in the collection, processing, or retention of entry information; or (c) any typographical or other error in the printing, offering or announcement of any fees or the finalists; (d) any claim, loss or demand or damages arising from the use of the Project Site or the information, content or materials included on the Project Site. In no event will the Program Entities be liable to you for any indirect or consequential loss or damage and whether or not advised of the possibility of such claim, loss, demand or damages and arising in tort (including negligence), contract or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

16. INTERNET: Program Entities are not responsible for any malfunction of the entire Program Site or any late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, or destroyed Project Proposal or Project Submission or entry materials due to system errors, failed, incomplete or garbled computer or other telecommunication transmission malfunctions, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, typographical or system/human errors and failures, technical malfunction(s) of any telephone network or lines, cable connections, satellite transmissions, servers or providers, or computer equipment, traffic congestion on the Internet or at the Program Site, or any combination thereof, including other telecommunication, cable, digital or satellite malfunctions which may limit an entrant’s ability to participate.

17. RIGHT TO CANCEL, MODIFY OR DISQUALIFY: If for any reason the Program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Program, Google reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Program. Google may modify these Rules to reflect any modifications to the Program or to comply with applicable law. Any changes made will be effective immediately, which will be given by posting the revised Rules on this page. Continued participation in the Program after such notice will be deemed acceptance of such changes. Google further reserves the right to immediately remove or disqualify you from the Program if Google believes, in its sole discretion, that you have attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of the Program, including:

Providing false eligibility information during registration;
Providing unoriginal, copied or submissions during registration;
Breaching or refusing to comply with these Rules;
Threatening or harassing the Program Entities including the Mentors;
Tampering, interfering with or deliberately damaging the administration of the Program or the Program Site or with the ability of other participants to participate in the Program;
Submitting content that:

18. NOT AN OFFER OR CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT: Under no circumstances shall the submission Project Proposal or Project Submission into the Program, the awarding of fees, or anything in these Rules be construed as an offer or contract of employment with either Google, or the Program Entities. You acknowledge that you have submitted your Project Proposal or Project Submission voluntarily and not in confidence or in trust. You acknowledge that no confidential, fiduciary, agency or other relationship or implied-in-fact contract now exists between you and Google or the Program Entities and that no such relationship is established by your submission of a Project Proposal or Project Submission under these Rules.

19. FORUM AND RECOURSE TO JUDICIAL PROCEDURES: These Rules shall be governed by, subject to, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, United States of America, excluding all conflict of law rules. If any provision(s) of these Rules are held to be invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect. To the extent permitted by law, the rights to litigate, seek injunctive relief or make any other recourse to judicial or any other procedure in case of disputes or claims resulting from or in connection with this Contest are hereby excluded, and all Participants expressly waive any and all such rights.

20. ARBITRATION: By entering the Program, you agree that exclusive jurisdiction for any dispute, claim, or demand related in any way to the Program will be decided by binding arbitration. All disputes between you and Google of whatsoever kind or nature arising out of these Rules, shall be submitted to Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) for binding arbitration under its rules then in effect in the San Jose, California, USA area, before one arbitrator to be mutually agreed upon by both parties. The parties agree to share equally in the arbitration costs incurred.

20.ASSIGNMENT: You may not assign this Agreement or any part of it without Google’s prior written consent.