Last updated: March 7, 2008

GFXContests.com is a service that helps connect designers to those in need of freelance design work. GFXContests.com can help designers make money, gain experience, and build a portfolio. However, using GFXContests.com is a privilege. You must abide by the following rules or risk having your user account removed.

ENTERING A CONTEST
All entries must be posted in the contest thread. Entries must include a screen shot of the final version artwork or template. Work in progress entries are allowed, however if the work is completed, the final entry must be posted in the thread as well. Contest participants will refrain from offering other services or non-contest related entries during a specific contest.


NEGATIVE COMMENTS
Do not make negative comments about other entrants work or about contest holders. If you have evidence of a copyright infringement, this needs to be reported to an administrator via the "report this post" button associated with the post in question.


COPYRIGHTS
All entries must be your own work. Do not submit entries that are not your own. Do not submit entries that contain derivatives of someone else's work (e.g., a photo), unless you have the copyright owners express permission. Again any evidence of copyright/trademark infringement needs to be reported to an administrator via the "report this post" button associated with the post in question. We would need to have documented evidence of a copyright infringement to act.


THE USE OF STOCK PHOTOS AND CLIP ART MUST BE DECLARED
If you use clip art or stock photos in any of your designs you MUST indicate that you have done so and provide proof of source (e.g. a link to source in post) and right to use said photos/clipart.


DO NOT SEND ENTRIES VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE
GFXContests.com has a strict policy against private contest entries. In the interest of fairness, all contest entries must be public and conducted inside the contest thread. Do no send any entries via PM or email. All PMs are subject to being monitored by GFXContests.com administrators.


RESELLING ENTRIES FROM LOST CONTESTS
Some contestants make extra money by reselling entries that do not win as templates. If you do so, please be sure to change the logo and business name on the entry to something generic, as the contest holder owns the rights to his or her business's name and logo.


RIGHTS TRANSFER, PORTFOLIO LINKS, AND OTHER TERMS
It is up to the contest holder to specify terms of the contest, including transfer of rights. If the contest holder does not specify terms of rights transfer, the contest winner agrees to transfer all copyrights for the winning design to the contest holder. Unless otherwise specified, contest participants may display entries in their portfolios but agree to mark such work as "created on spec." Contest participants agree to be bound by all terms specified by the contest holder--it is your right not to enter any contest.


MULTIPLE USER ACCOUNTS ARE PROHIBITED
All individuals are prohibited from having multiple user accounts at GFXContests.com. Anyone who is found to have multiple accounts may be banned. In addition, individuals may not abandon one account and open a different account to avoid negative iTrader ratings or a bad reputation. Any attempt to abandon an account with an undesirable track record in favor of a new account with a "clean slate" will be considered to be an attempt to defraud other members.


REPORTING VIOLATIONS
If you see any rules violations on the part of contestants or contest holders, please do not say so in the thread. Rather, please report it directly to an Administrator. If the violation is in regards to a specific post, please use the "report this post" button associated with the post in question. WE DO WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ANY VIOLATIONS OF GFXCONTESTS POLICIES.


NOTICE OF UPDATES
These guidelines may be updated at any time as GFXContests.com administrators deem it is necessary.