If a MR sweepstake is conducted in US, why there would be some other country’s law telling what to do in US?
Because the prizes would need to be shipped outside of the US.If a MR sweepstake is conducted in US, why there would be some other country’s law telling what to do in US?
Because the prizes would need to be shipped outside of the US.
This is well covered in the thread already with links to websites where you can find more information. Giveaways and prize contests are a very sensitive issue, given that every country has different laws and rules both in terms of government regulations, licenses, taxation, and privacy laws. Think about when you ship a package internationally. You need a customs form to declare the contents and cost of what you're shipping. It has much less to do with where the sweepstakes takes place, but rather where the prizes are going and what that country's laws are for international giveaways. MacRumors could hire an independent firm (there are many that specialize in handling the mounds of regulatory information) but they've obviously chosen the much simpler (and cheaper) route in restricting giveaways to US residents.Really?
Can you tell any reason for this?
Shipping does change the place where the seepstake takes the place.
Exactly!Really?
Can you tell any reason for this?
Shipping does change the place where the seepstake takes the place.
giveaways and prize contests are a very sensitive issue, given that every country has different laws
Hyperbole much?Another example... a promo for Suicide Squad just popped up on Facebook. It's global and you can win some Suicide Squad merch by telling them who your favourite character is (see what they did there just to make sure it's not a 'sweepstake'?)
According to Arnold Kim this is illegal under 'international law' though. Quick! POLICE!!!!
Maybe I should compile a list to make it clear that global giveaways are definitely possible and widespread?
This question comes up occasionally and it popped up again today from a TVWB Facebook follower.
I run these prize drawings throughout the year as a way of saying "thanks" to all of the great people who visit and support TVWB and TVWBB. Unfortunately, I do not accept entries from outside the United States for several reasons:
I know this is disappointing to some members, but please know that I appreciate you and your understanding in this matter. I hope you continue find the free content offered on TVWB and TVWBB to be valuable.
- Contests/prize drawings/sweepstakes are heavily regulated in many countries. I barely understand the laws here in the U.S., its 50 states and Washington, DC much less in Canada, the U.K., Norway, Australia, etc. I'm not sure it's possible to develop a prize drawing that complies with all laws in all countries so that everyone can participate.
- Shipping physical prizes outside the U.S. costs more money and involves customs paperwork, and not all prize sponsors are willing to ship internationally.
- Offering gift certificates outside the U.S. can be complicated. For example, last time I checked, an Amazon.com gift card that I purchase in the U.S. cannot be spent on Amazon.uk or Amazon.de. The winner ends up using the card on Amazon.com and may have to pay high international shipping charges and in some cases duties and taxes upon receipt. Also, it's a hassle trying to purchase gift cards in foreign currency using a U.S. credit card and then paying a currency conversion fee that increases the cost of the prize to me.
Best,
Chris
...Hyperbole much?
...
As has been stated any number of times, MR have made the corporate decision to not risk antagonizing other markets.
1. No it's not an exaggeration. If enforcement agencies were gonna target somebody it would be a big player, not some random computer blog giving away $20 gimmicks. The fact that Facebook and a major movie studio can give-away $$$ prizes sums it all up rather neatly.You're more than welcome to create your own business and make up your rules.
This thread is for anyone who wants to discuss the issue, regardless of what they think about the matter.I seriously question why people come in here to say 'stop arguing and just accept it' (hint: this thread isn't for them).
Yeah, I regret reading it as well. Lesson learned. Next time scroll immediately at the end of the page.After following all the steps only I saw this:
"only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter."
I'm not a U.S. resident
...
1. No it's not an exaggeration. If enforcement agencies were gonna target somebody it would be a big player, not some random computer blog giving away $20 gimmicks. The fact that Facebook and a major movie studio can give-away $$$ prizes sums it all up rather neatly.
2. The whole point of this thread is that people disagree with the said commercial decision. As users, we're allowed to voice our opinions if we disagree with a commercial decision. This thread is our outlet... I seriously question why people come in here to say 'stop arguing and just accept it' (hint: this thread isn't for them).
3. Thanks for your sarcastic suggestion that I should setup my own business so that I can participate in its giveaways. However, MR has already provided this thread for me to discuss the matter in and regularly promotes the usage of this thread on their frontpage (presumably becauE most of their giveaway threads get flooded with international users saying 'this is so stupid'). If you are not impacted by this particular matter and it frustrates you so much to see people talking about it (in the designated thread, setup and endorsed by MR) then you have the option of ignoring this thread
1. It applies to everybody outside the USA and Canada, hence the existence of this thread for international users.And as for your last point - embolden for good measure. look towards the mirror my friend - do you not feel such an opinion applies to you as much as it does to anyone?
You can complain about this until you’re blue in the face...
Excellent post. As an international member this is why I will not become a MR supporter because International members are not treated equally. I've already spoken my piece earlier in this thread (think one of my posts even got removed) and well, let's just say the typical excuses were used.Who cares outside of the US, irrespective of content. At best simply laziness, at worse outright discriminative, equally MR want's us all to contribute irrespective of our geographic location. Being all too happy to take the cash as a contributor from anyone based anywhere, yet is seemingly incapable of shipping a soft toy, T-shirt or leather bag internationally. I've considered contributing for some time, however with such clear and obvious bias a solid NO.
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Treat your international members fairly and stop with the excuses...
Q-6
Apparently Arn does. It's been stated any number of times there can be legal ramifications for not obeying local laws regarding giveaways.Who cares outside of the US, irrespective of content. At best simply laziness, at worse outright discriminative, equally MR want's us all to contribute irrespective of our geographic location. Being all too happy to take the cash as a contributor from anyone based anywhere, yet is seemingly incapable of shipping a soft toy, T-shirt or leather bag internationally. I've considered contributing for some time, however with such clear and obvious bias a solid NO.
View attachment 1857154
Treat your international members fairly and stop with the excuses...
Q-6
... why not run a promo for us outside the US????
Perhaps MR could kindly consider running some prize draws on a country-specific basis, for those outside of the US, including UK members. I expect there would be plenty of interest from product providers who target those markets.
So just wondering what rules in the UK this falls foul of, of course this is up to MacRumors to decide the Location and rules they run by, but I don't know of any specific rule that stops a giveaway in the UK or Most of Europe, aside from potential import charges, which if your getting a product for free, why wouldn't you pay this??? all your competitions are Americas based and there's a good proportion of us that don't live there so if it is impossible why not run a promo for us outside the US????
That's already been answered. You not liking the answer doesn't change the fact that an answer was indeed supplied.Definitely. Seems so obvious, doesn't it? I've previously asked the same. Still waiting for a reply...
That's already been answered. You not liking the answer doesn't change the fact that an answer was indeed supplied.
Perhaps you could kindly direct me to where MR replied to my suggestion. As far as I can see, they haven't.
We have indeed consulted with our lawyers about this, and the effort required even to draft up rules to make sure we were in compliance with Canadian laws was not insignificant, and unfortunately it's just not feasible to do the same for every other country.
Yes, Quebec is excluded because it has a number of rules related to giveaways that just aren't possible to meet...register the rules and all relevant information at least 30 days in advance, pay fee of up to 10% of the prize value, file a security bond equal to the prize value until delivery to the winner has been confirmed, provide all information in both English and French, and file a written report at the conclusion of the contest, among other requirements. There's no way we could afford or even be able to do that on a weekly basis for what are rather low-value prizes in total.
Just do it IMO. Honestly... they'd save all this fuss by just saying 'US address required' instead of making an inaccurate statement of how they think the law operates. It just wastes time.It doesn't count that I have a U.S. forwarding address to where I live, does it?