Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. When will the next EcoEasy Challenge take place?
2. Who can enter the contest?
3. Can my university enter?
4. Can I enter if I’m under the age of 18?
5. How many members can each team have?
6. Can I enter the contest more than once, with more than one team?
7. What invention ideas will you be considering?
8. What criteria will be used to judge my invention ideas?
9. Where can I get an Official Entry Form and the Official Rules?
10. How do I enter the contest?
11. How elaborate does the visual representation need to be? Do I have to hire a
       professional artist to sketch my product concept?
12. Can I submit a working model of my idea?
13. Is there an entry fee? Do I need to buy anything to enter?
14. What is the contest entry deadline?
15. How will I know my entry has been received?
16. Do I have to obtain a patent or patent pending on my concept?
17. Who owns my concept (and the intellectual property embodied in the concept)?
18. What if someone submits a concept/ idea very close to or exactly like mine?
19. What happens if my ideas don’t get chosen? How do I know they’re safe?
20. Will my entry materials be returned after the contest?
21. How and when will I be notified if my invention idea is chosen to be a Finalist?
22. What happens if I’m chosen to be a Finalist?
23. What are the Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release forms that Finalists
       are asked to sign?

24. How does the online public vote work?
25. What prizes can I win?
26. How will the prize money be allocated to the teams?
27. How will the royalties be allocated between team members if a concept is brought
       to life?
28. Will I have to pay taxes if I win?
29. Is the $25,000 or $5,000 prize an award, or does that give Staples any rights to the
       products entered?
30. Is there potential for Staples to enter into contracts with inventors, other than the
       Grand Prize Winner?


1. When will the next EcoEasy Challenge take place?
Staples and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology have no plans at this time to proceed with the EcoEasy Challenge in 2012 but remain committed to the spirit of the Challenge and look forward to future events.


2. Who can enter the contest?
Students must be 18 years of age or older as of date of entry and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, at a University or College in one of the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada (excluding Quebec), China, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, The Netherlands, United Kingdom or the United States. Employees of Staples, Inc. ("Sponsor"), its advertising and promotion agencies, individuals affiliated with the Rochester Institute of Technology, and judges, and all of their respective parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, advisors, advertising and promotion agencies, their immediate family members wherever they reside {parents, siblings, children (natural, adopted, foster), and spouse} and those living in the same household (whether or not related) of each are not eligible.

 

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3. Can my university enter?

Students must be enrolled in a university or college that is located in one of the pre-selected countries listed in question #1. In the coming years, we may expand the scope of this competition and allow all university and college students to enter.

 

4. Can I enter if I’m under the age of 18?
Students may enroll if they will be 18 years of age or older as of date of entry. See question 1 for full eligibility requirements.

 

5. How many members can each team have?
Each team is limited to a maximum of 4 students. Individual contestants may enter as a 1-person team. If your team advances to the Global Finals Event, Staples will sponsor up to 4 team members to travel to Washington D.C., USA to present their team's concept.

 

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6. Can I enter the contest more than once, with more than one team?
Registered teams (with a maximum of 4 members) are welcome to submit multiple concepts, but each student may only be registered with one team. Although a team could consist of only one student, individual contestants may not register with any other team.

7. What invention ideas will you be considering?
We encourage you to submit your idea if it meets the criteria specified on the entry form. All eligible entries we receive will be carefully reviewed and considered by the judging panel.

The following categories of products and/or related product solutions will be eligible for entry:

  • Adhesives, clamps/clips, staplers
  • Binders, clipboards
  • Computer accessories
  • Cutting instruments (scissors, punches, etc.
  • Desktop accessories
  • Envelopes, packaging, shippers
  • File folders, pockets and dividers
  • Janitorial/sanitation and office cleaning supplies
  • Labels, label makers
  • Marker and bulletin and/or planning boards
  • Media storage products (for CD/DVD, flash drives, etc.)
  • Office chairs
  • Paper, note pads and message pads, cards
  • Shredder and document destruction products
  • Storage and organization
  • Technology accessories (for business machines, calculators and computers)
  • Telephone accessories
  • Writing and drawing instruments and accessories
  • Other miscellaneous office supplies

Technology hardware (computers, PDAs, wireless phones, printers, copiers, telephones and similar durable items) is specifically excluded.

Concepts that fall into categories not specifically included or excluded above will be considered at the sole discretion of the judges.

 

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8. What criteria will be used to judge my invention ideas?
Your invention idea will be evaluated by Staples' judges using the below criteria. The number in parentheses indicates the weight given to each criterion in determining the total score. Please see number 23 for information describing the online voting aspect of the contest.

Judging Criteria

  • Degree to which the Invention represents a unique and effective approach to sustainability (30%)
  • Relevant market potential and product life of the Invention within Staples’ target business (25%)
  • The Invention's overall function and benefits (20%)
  • The Invention's originality of concept (10%)
  • Ability to manufacture and distribute the Invention to the mass market effectively and in a sustainable way (10%)
  • Degree to which the Invention is free of risks to Staples and Staples® customers (5%)

9. Where can I get an Official Entry Form and the Official Rules?
Official Entry Forms and the Official Rules will be available online at www.ecoeasychallenge.com. All entries must be submitted electronically at the contest Web site.

10. How do I enter the contest?
Official Entry Forms will be available exclusively online at www.ecoeasychallenge.com. Please provide all information requested on the entry form including the description of your idea in 1,000 words or less, as well as the names and specified information for each person who contributed to the idea. All entries must be in English. Although not required, we strongly suggest you provide a sketch or visual of your idea along with the description. Entrants will have the option of uploading a copy of their sketch or visual (PDF, .jpg or .gif formats only) when submitting their entry online. Physical prototypes will not be accepted until teams are selected to advance to the Finals round of the competition. We require that you complete a search on staples.com® and other Web sites to confirm your idea is unique. Your invention must not be in the manufacturing process, and it must never have been manufactured in the past. It must also never have been sold or offered for sale.

 

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11. How elaborate does the visual representation need to be? Do I have to hire a professional artist to sketch my product concept?
No, you do not have to hire a professional artist to sketch your idea. As long as your product description is detailed and clear, a rough rendering will be fine. The sketch will be used only as a visual aid to support your description during the first judging round. You will be asked to create a representation of your concept if your team advances to the final round, and you will receive a stipend to aid in this process. We strongly encourage supporting material, including but not limited to 2-D or 3-D images, a rendering or prototype.

12. Can I submit a working model of my idea?
The initial submission should be in the form of concept papers (idea background, 2-D image, and/or other information to help communicate the idea) for judging. You must be able to submit it electronically.

Physical prototypes are encouraged for those teams that will advance to the Global Finals Event to better communicate their concept to the judges. These students will then receive a stipend to develop their paper concepts into actual prototypes.

 

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13. Is there an entry fee? Do I need to buy anything to enter?
There are no entry fees for this contest and no purchase is necessary. A purchase of any kind will not improve your chances of winning.

14. What is the contest entry deadline?
Teams must submit concept entries (idea background, 2-D image, and/or other information to help communicate the idea) for judging by 3:00:00 pm ET on December 23, 2010. Finalists will be identified notified on or about February 1, 2011.

15. How will I know my entry has been received?
Once an entry is submitted online, you will receive a confirmation message. Please do not contact either Staples or Don Jagoda Associates, Inc. for information regarding the status of your submission.

 

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16. Do I have to obtain a patent or patent pending on my concept?
No prior formal protection for patents, trademarks or copyrights (in the form of an application or otherwise) is necessary in order to submit a concept. By entering, however, you are acknowledging that to the best of your knowledge, understanding and belief, your idea does not infringe any patent, trademark or copyright (or other rights) of any third party. It is required that you complete a search on staples.com® and other Web sites to confirm that your idea is unique. Further, please report on your entry form whether you have filed for patent protection of your invention. Below are the predetermined guidelines for how intellectual property will be handled for this competition. Product concepts for finalists may be made public. Teams may want to obtain advice with respect to the legal implications of making their ideas public.

Intellectual Property Guidelines

  • All entrants retain ownership rights to any intellectual property around their concept, but, by entering this contest, must be willing to license any intellectual property exclusively to Staples for global distribution rights to their concept.
  • All entrants will grant Staples rights to exclusively license intellectual property embodied in the concept for a period of three years from submission.
  • If Staples chooses to bring to market any concepts, Staples retains the right to extend the period of exclusivity.
  • Prior to advancing to the Finals round, all entrants will be required to sign an exclusive licensing agreement. Subject to Staples’ input, Entrants are responsible for protecting their intellectual property. Please see Official Rules for additional information on intellectual property.

 

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17. Who owns my concept (and the intellectual property embodied in the concept)?
Subject to the exclusive license rights of Staples, Entrants retain all ownership rights to their concepts (and the intellectual property rights contained in the concepts). Refer to question 15 for intellectual property guidelines. By participating in the contest, you are agreeing to the Official Rules and the decisions of the judges and Staples. Please read the Official Rules of the contest found online at this website.

18. What if someone submits a concept/ idea very close to or exactly like mine?
All concepts will be judged using the criteria listed in question 6. The decisions of the judges and Staples shall be final and binding in all respects. Staples is in the business of developing many ideas for new products. At any time we may receive third-party ideas similar or identical to your idea, including during this Challenge. Your participation in the contest will not in any way limit our right to review or use any such similar third-party data.

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19. What happens if my ideas don’t get chosen? How do I know they’re safe?
Entries (and any related information) that are not selected for consideration to advance to the Finals competition will not be disclosed to Staples or the public. Staples shall instruct Don Jagoda Associates to destroy all entry submissions and all copies of entry submissions that are not selected.

20. Will my entry materials be returned after the contest?
We regret that we cannot return any materials after submission. We suggest you maintain a copy of all your entry materials for your records.

21. How and when will I be notified if my invention idea is chosen to be a Finalist?
Finalists will be determined on or before February 1, 2011, based on the final judging criteria listed. Finalists will be notified via phone, mail or email on the next steps to prepare for the Finals Event to be held in Washington D.C., USA, on April 13, 2011.

 

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22. What happens if I’m chosen to be a Finalist?
All selected Finalists will receive a standardized stipend to use toward concept development. Finalists will have until the end of March 2011 to expand their idea, build a prototype and create a presentation to execute during the Global Finals Event to be held in Washington D.C., USA, on April 13, 2011. Staples will cover the travel expense for a maximum of 4 team members to this Event.

23. What are the Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release forms that Finalists are asked to sign?
These documents ask you to swear that:

  • Your team is eligible to compete according to the Official Rules
  • The information you submitted in the entry form was true and accurate
  • To the best of your knowledge, the invention idea is your team’s original creation
  • You agree and allow your name, personal information and other information about your invention idea to be used globally for public relations purposes
  • You release Staples and its agents from any liability resulting from acceptance or use of prize.
  • You understand and agree that Staples has the right of first refusal to license your invention idea.

You must sign and return these documents within seven days of the notification attempt or the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be judged.

 

24. How does the online public vote work?
Beginning March 8, 2011 at 10:00:00 ET (10:00:00 am ET) through March 22, 2011 at 15:00:00 (3:00:00 pm ET), information describing all verified Finalists' Inventions will be posted on the Challenge Website and will be subject to voting by visitors to the Challenge Website. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the Challenge Website each day to vote for their favorite Invention. Visitors must be at least 18 years of age or older as of the time of voting to be eligible to vote. Limit one vote per person/email address per day. The public vote will count as 10% toward each Finalist's final score.

 

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25. What prizes can I win?
Grand Prize (1 Winner): $25,000 USD Total (awarded in the form of a check) (ARV $25,000 USD) to be split between team members, and the opportunity to receive an exclusive global licensing agreement so long as there are no intellectual property rights or marketing issues with the invention. In the event that Staples commercializes your invention, royalties will be evenly distributed between all team members in addition to the $25,000. In the event that Staples, in its sole discretion, determines that the Grand Prize inventon is not one that Staples wishes to commercialize, only the $25,000 cash prize will be awarded.

Runner-Up Prizes (2 Winners): $5,000 USD Total (awarded in the form of a check) to be split between team members. In the event that Staples commercializes your invention, royalties will be evenly distributed between all team members in addition to the $5,000.

Finalist Prize (4-8 Winners): A 3-day/2-night trip for four team members to Washington D.C., USA, on a specified date in April 2011 determined by Staples, to attend the Global Finals Event. Trip includes round-trip coach air transportation from the major airport nearest to the winner's residence, round-trip transfers between airport and hotel, and standard double-occupancy hotel accommodations (ARV $7,000 USD each).

 

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26. How will the prize money be allocated to the teams?
Staples will split the prize money evenly between each member within the team. For example:

  • If a team composed of 4 students wins the Grand Prize of $25,000, each member will receive $6,250.
  • If a team composed of 3 students wins the Grand Prize of $25,000, each member will receive $8,333.
  • If a team is composed of only 1 student, then that individual will receive the entire Grand Prize of $25,000.

27. How will the royalties be allocated between team members if a concept is brought to life?
Staples will split a 6% royalty evenly among all team members for as long as the product is produced exclusively by Staples. For example:

  • If a team composed of 4 students wins, each member will receive 1.5% in royalties.
  • If a team composed of 3 students wins, each member will receive 2% in royalties.
  • If a team is composed of only 1 student, then that individual will receive the entire 6% royalty payment.

28. Will I have to pay taxes if I win?
Taxes, if any, related to the prize(s) are the responsibility of the individual winners. U.S. and local tax implications may apply.

 

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29. Is the $25,000 or $5,000 prize an award, or does that give Staples any rights to the products entered?
The prize money does not affect ownership of the invention idea. If Staples decides to develop your product, royalties in the amount of 6% will be distributed evenly among all team members in addition to the prize money.

30. Is there potential for Staples to enter into contracts with inventors, other than the Grand Prize Winner?
Yes. To become a Finalist, each team member must execute a licensing and royalty agreement between themselves and Staples, or Staples’ agent or assignee.


Have a question that’s not listed here?
Email us at ecoeasychallengehelp@dja.com. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

 

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In the case of any conflict between the information found in the FAQs and in the Official Rules, the information in the Official Rules takes precedence.