Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and participating in the Global Tech Policy Coalition Hackathon 2026 ("the Hackathon" or "the Event"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not register for or participate in the Hackathon.

2. Eligibility

• Participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of registration
• Participants must comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Employees of the organizing committee and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate
• Participants must register through the official registration process
• All team members must meet the eligibility requirements

3. Registration

• Registration must be completed through the official website before the registration deadline
• All information provided during registration must be accurate and complete
• Participants may register individually or as part of a team
• Team size limitations, if any, will be specified during registration
• The organizers reserve the right to reject any registration at their discretion
• Registration fees, if applicable, are non-refundable unless otherwise stated

4. Code of Conduct

All participants are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct. Participants agree to:

• Treat all participants, judges, organizers, and staff with respect and dignity
• Refrain from any form of harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior
• Maintain a collaborative and inclusive environment
• Comply with all event rules and guidelines
• Respect intellectual property rights of others
• Not engage in any fraudulent, deceptive, or illegal activities

Violation of the code of conduct may result in immediate disqualification and removal from the event.

5. Intellectual Property

5.1 Participant Submissions

Participants retain ownership of their original work and intellectual property created during the Hackathon. However, by submitting an entry, participants grant the organizers a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to:

• Display, publish, and promote the submission for marketing and promotional purposes
• Use the submission for educational and research purposes
• Share the submission with judges and evaluators

5.2 Third-Party Materials

Participants are responsible for ensuring that their submissions do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties. Participants must obtain all necessary licenses and permissions for any third-party materials used in their submissions.

5.3 Organizer Materials

All materials provided by the organizers, including but not limited to logos, branding, and documentation, remain the property of the organizers and may not be used without explicit permission.

6. Submission Requirements

• All submissions must be original work created during the Hackathon period
• Submissions must address one of the specified problem statements or themes
• Submissions must be submitted before the designated deadline
• Submissions must include all required documentation and materials
• Submissions must comply with all technical requirements and specifications
• Participants may not submit work that has been previously published or submitted to other competitions without disclosure

7. Judging and Evaluation

• Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on predetermined criteria
• Judging decisions are final and not subject to appeal
• The organizers reserve the right to modify judging criteria or procedures
• Judges may not have any conflict of interest with participants
• Evaluation criteria may include innovation, technical merit, feasibility, and alignment with hackathon themes

8. Prizes

• Prizes are awarded at the sole discretion of the judges and organizers
• Prize details, including amounts and categories, are subject to change
• Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash
• Winners are responsible for any taxes or fees associated with prizes
• In the event of a tie, prizes may be split or additional judging may occur
• Winners must claim prizes within the specified timeframe

9. Disqualification

Participants may be disqualified for, but not limited to, the following reasons:

• Violation of these Terms and Conditions
• Violation of the Code of Conduct
• Submission of plagiarized or fraudulent work
• Use of prohibited tools, resources, or assistance
• Failure to comply with event rules and guidelines
• Any behavior that disrupts the event or harms other participants

10. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the organizers, sponsors, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses resulting from:

• Your participation in the Hackathon
• Any errors or omissions in event materials or information
• Technical failures or interruptions
• Unauthorized access to or use of your submissions or personal information
• Any other matter relating to the Hackathon

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the organizers, sponsors, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising from:

• Your participation in the Hackathon
• Your violation of these Terms and Conditions
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights
• Your submission of content that infringes on third-party rights

12. Privacy

Your participation in the Hackathon is also governed by our Privacy Policy. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

13. Modifications to Terms

The organizers reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Material changes will be communicated to registered participants. Continued participation in the Hackathon after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

14. Cancellation or Postponement

The organizers reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the Hackathon at any time for any reason, including but not limited to force majeure events, technical issues, or insufficient participation. In such cases, the organizers will make reasonable efforts to notify participants and may, at their discretion, offer refunds or alternative arrangements.

15. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with applicable laws, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from or relating to these terms or the Hackathon shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the appropriate courts.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

17. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at:

18. Acknowledgment

By registering for and participating in the Global Tech Policy Coalition Hackathon 2026, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.