ANNUAL FLARE-ON CHALLENGE


OFFICIAL RULES


       BY DOWNLOADING, INSTALLING, COPYING, ACCESSING, CLICKING ON THE "ACCEPT" BUTTON OR OTHERWISE PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL FLARE-ON CHALLENGE CREATED AND SPONSORED BY MANDIANT, YOU (ALSO REFERRED TO AS “YOU”, “YOUR”, “PARTICIPANT”, CONTESTANT” OR “ENTRANT” BELOW) AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE ANNUAL FLARE-ON CHALLENGE.  FURTHERMORE, IF YOU ACCEPT THESE OFFICIAL RULES, YOU ARE HEREBY REPRESENTING AND WARRANTING THAT YOU HAVE FULL AUTHORITY TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES.  IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES, DO NOT DOWNLOAD, INSTALL, COPY, ACCESS, CLICK ON AN "ACCEPT" BUTTON, OR PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL FLARE-ON CHALLENGE, AND CLICK THE "CANCEL/DECLINE" BUTTON AND THE INSTALLATION PROCESS AND/OR YOUR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CHALLENGE MUST CEASE IMMEDIATELY AND YOU WILL NOT AND MAY NOT CONTINUE ANY ACTIVITY RELATED TO THE ANNUAL FLARE-ON CHALLENGE.

       

       The Annual Flare-on Challenge (sometimes referred to as the “Challenge”) is a skills-based contest created and sponsored by MANDIANT, an affiliate of Google LLC. (“Sponsor” or “MANDIANT”), located at 11951 Freedom Dr Fl 6, Reston, Virginia, 20190.  By participating in the Annual Flare-on Challenge and/or using this website, you must agree, and hereby do agree, to the Annual Flare-on Challenge Official Rules (along with any other terms of use governing the website that is hosting this Challenge), which are available at, or can be accessed from, www.flare-on.com, and which are hereby incorporated by reference.  Your participation is governed by, and you shall abide by, these Official Rules (the “Official Rules” or “Challenge Rules”) in your participation of this Challenge.

       

PLEASE READ THESE RULES CAREFULLY PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION OR ENTRY.  NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO REGISTER, ENTER OR WIN. 

1. Challenge Duration.  This Challenge begins September 30, 2022 at 8:00 p.m., ET and ends on November 11, 2022 at 8:00 ET.  Sponsor’s computer will be the official clock for this Challenge.


2. General Description of the Annual Flare-On Challenge and its Puzzles/Challenges.  The Annual Flare-On Challenge consists of eleven (13) binary puzzles.  The puzzles may be in the form of any digital binary:  PDF, Microsoft Program, Android Application, Image file, Document, Malware, etc.  All of the puzzles/challenges were written and are owned by MANDIANT.  To participate, each Contestant will register and then they can download the first puzzle.  Each challenge/puzzle will focus on different disciplines of reverse engineering, threat intelligence, programming, etc., and the goal is to find a legal way to extract the embedded “key” to move on to the next challenge/puzzle.  Upon successfully completing each puzzle/challenge, the Contestant is able to obtain the “key” that unlocks the next challenge/puzzle.  The Contestant will not be able to move on to the next challenge/puzzle until she/he successfully completes the current challenge/puzzle.  Each challenge/puzzle gets more difficult with potentially multiple challenges as each Contestant strives to reach and solve the final puzzle.  If a Contestant successfully completes all eleven (11) puzzles, that Contestant will win a prize (as indicated below).


3. Participation/Eligibility.  This Challenge is meant for individual participation and teams will not be eligible to win prizes.  In order to be eligible to participate in this Challenge, in addition to complying with all of the other terms of these Official Rules, individuals must meet the following criteria in order to participate:

* Individuals must be the age of eighteen (18) or over and living in the United States at the start of the competition, or the age of twenty-one (21) or over anywhere else in the world.


* Individuals may not be a resident of any United States sanctioned country.


   Sponsor reserves the right, in its discretion, to verify an individual’s eligibility to participate in this Challenge.


4. Void Where Prohibited.  The Annual Flare-On Challenge is VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.


5. Administration.  This Challenge is administered in the United States and by participating in this Challenge, you consent to the transfer of your personal information to the United States, where the laws about data privacy may be different than the laws in your country.  The country in which you reside may have different laws that apply to you, and you are solely responsible for complying with all applicable local laws in the jurisdiction in which you are located.  


6. Privacy.  Any personal information collected by Sponsor in this Challenge is subject to MANDIANT’s Privacy Policy located at https://www.mandiant.com/privacy-and-cookies.


7. How to Register.  To register, visit www.flare-on.com (the “Site”) during the Registration Period and follow the registration instructions.  All entries must be in the English language and include, at a minimum, your name and an email address so that Sponsor or its representatives can contact you.  Sponsor is not responsible for, and each participant specifically releases Sponsor and each of its successors and assigns, and each of its affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, and agents (all of the foregoing, the “Sponsor Parties”), from any and all claims or liability relating to, any loss or damage to an entrant’s entry. 


8. Entry/Register Only Once.  You may not register or participate in this Challenge more than once.  In the event that Sponsor becomes aware that a participant has entered this Challenge more than once, Sponsor may in its absolute discretion take any steps that Sponsor believes is appropriate, including disqualifying this individual from this Challenge and refusing to grant any prize to this individual.


9. MANDIANT’s Terms of Use.   In addition to these Official Rules, any Terms of Use governing use of MANDIANT’s website, shall also govern this Challenge.  These Official Rules shall govern any conflict between these Official Rules and MANDIANT’s Terms of Use.  


10. Grant of License and Restrictions.  Subject to the terms hereof, any applicable user/use limitations, and for strictly the duration of this Challenge, MANDIANT grants participant a personal, fully revocable, non-sublicensable, nonexclusive, right to use the materials (including any software) (the “Challenge Materials”) that MANDIANT makes available as part of this Challenge for the sole purpose of participating in the Challenge and to try to solve the ten (10) challenges/puzzles within this Challenge.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, MANDIANT and its licensors retain all right, title, interest in, and ownership of the Challenge Materials and participant will maintain the copyright notice and any other notices that appear in/on the Challenge Materials.  Unless specifically approved or authorized by an authorized representative of MANDIANT in writing, participant may not use any of the Challenge Materials (defined below) outside of this Challenge or for any other purpose other than trying to solve the challenges/puzzles as authorized by these Official Rules.   Except as expressly permitted and/or directed by each puzzle/challenge or applicable law, participant will not:  (i) reverse engineer or attempt to discover any source code or underlying ideas or algorithms of the Challenge Materials (except to the limited extent that applicable law prohibits reverse engineering restrictions or challenge/puzzle allows for such activity as reverse engineering or discovering/using source code); (ii) use the Challenge Materials in connection with the development of a contest/challenge that is similar or competes with this Challenge; (iii) reproduce, alter or modify any of the puzzles/challenges in this Challenge, the Challenge Materials or Sponsor’s website; (iv) hack into, disrupt or corrupt this Challenge’s website; (v) disrupt or interfere with any other participant’s ability to compete in this Challenge or successfully complete the challenges/puzzles; (vi) use any of the Challenge Materials to engage in any activity outside this Challenge; or (vii) use any of the Challenge Materials to engage in any unauthorized or illegal activity or any activity that may violate another party’s or individual’s privacy rights and/or any applicable laws or regulations.  Participant ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE CHALLENGE MATERIALS MAY INCLUDE FEATURES TO PREVENT USE AFTER THE DURATION OF THIS CHALLENGE’S PERIOD AND/OR USE INCONSISTENT HEREWITH.  Participant further acknowledges that Challenge Materials may be distributed alongside or contain or use certain open source or other third-party software ("Third-Party Software").   THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE IS (IN ADDITION TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES) SUBJECT TO AND GOVERNED BY THE RESPECTIVE LICENSES FOR SUCH THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE.  PARTICIPANT AGREES TO, AND WILL, INDEMNIFY MANDIANT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANCE BY PARTICIPANT WITH THE LICENSES OF ANY THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE.  No rights or licenses are granted other than as expressly and unambiguously set forth herein.


11. Additional Restrictions.  This Challenge, the Challenge Materials and anything contained on Sponsor’s website is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties.  Anything provided to a participant, including the Challenge Materials, is licensed and not sold.  This license granted to participant by Sponsor is limited to a non-transferable license to use the Challenge Materials to participate in this Challenge only and for no other use whatsoever.  This license does not allow participant to distribute or make the Challenge Materials available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time or to other individuals.  Participant may not rent, lease, lend, sell, redistribute or sublicense the Challenge Materials.


12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Participant agrees that the Challenge Materials and the content on this Challenge’s website contains proprietary content, information and material that is protected by applicable intellectual property and other laws, including but not limited to copyright, and that participant will not use such proprietary content, information or materials in any way whatsoever except for the limited permitted use expressed in these Official Rules.  For purposes of clarity, these Official Rules grant no intellectual property rights to participant.


13. WARNINGS: (a) Dangerous Malicious Code.  The Challenge Materials may contain dangerous malicious computer code that will cause damage to Your or others’ computer(s) and/or network(s) if not used properly.  Sponsor is not responsible for the misuse or accidental misuse of the Challenge Materials or anything on its website and participant accepts all responsibility for any damage incurred by the participant or to any computer or network. (b) Safe Environment.  The Challenge Materials should not be run without a safe environment that can easily be restored to a prior state, such as a virtual machine.  Participant agrees that in no case shall the Challenge Materials be used by participant on production systems or systems that contain sensitive or valuable information. (c) Prohibition on Connecting the Challenge Materials to the Internet.  Participant agrees that the Challenged Materials will not be used on systems connected to the internet due to the risks posed to the machine running the Challenge Materials as well as the risks posed to the greater internet.


14. Participant’s Representations.  By entering, regardless of country of residence or entry, participant represents and warrants that:  (a) participant has the exclusive, unconditional right, and authority to participate in this Challenge and to grant the rights set forth herein; (b) participant agrees not to remove or alter any of the copyright notices on this Challenge’s website or on any and all copies of the Challenge Materials; (c) participant agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, and all local country and international agreements/treaties/laws regarding use of the Challenge Materials and in the participation of this Challenge; and (d) participant will be at all times and is in full compliance with these Official Rules and all of the requirements/criteria herein.  Sponsor reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to disqualify (at any time) and/or not accept the registration of any participant that Sponsor determines is not or does not comply with these Official Rules.


15. No Violation of Laws or Third-Party Rights.  Any registration information or answers/responses to any challenge/puzzle must not contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity, copyright, trademark, patent, other intellectual property-related rights or other property-related rights.  In addition, any registration information or answers/responses to any challenge/puzzle must not be in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations in any jurisdiction at the location of where the registration information or answers/responses to any challenge/puzzle are submitted.


16. No Disparagement of Sponsor.  Participant agrees that it shall not disparage Sponsor, any of Sponsor’s affiliates and/or their directors, officers, employees, consultants or agents, or any other person or party affiliated with the promotion or administration of this Challenge.


17. Prizes.  All participants who successfully complete all puzzles/challenges during this Challenge’s duration as identified above shall receive a prize.  The prize shall be announced by Sponsor on this Challenge’s website.   


18. Sponsor’s Decisions are Final.   All decisions of Sponsor and its representatives are final and binding in all respects.


19. Winner Notification; Verification; and Publication of Identity of Winner(s).   At the conclusion of this Challenge, Sponsor will notify the winners by using the email address(es) provided by that individual.  Sponsor may in its discretion announce the name(s) of the winners on its website or in other forms of communication, and each participant in this Challenge hereby consents to Sponsor publishing her/his name on Sponsor’s website and/or in any related marketing materials of Sponsor.  If a potential winner is unreachable by email during a period of seventy-two (72) consecutive hours, this individual may be disqualified and/or Sponsor may elect not to award the applicable prize, as Sponsor may determine in its discretion.  Prior to awarding any prize, Sponsor may require, in its sole discretion, that each winner complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Confidentiality Agreement, Release of Liability, and, if legally permissible, a Publicity Release within five (5) days of attempted delivery of same.  Non-compliance within this time period, a return of any notification as undeliverable, or failure to return any of these documents, may result in the disqualification of being a winner of this Challenge. Sponsor reserves the right to conduct a background check on each of the winners. Each participant consents to the same and shall provide whatever additional information, permission and/or documentation is required or requested by Sponsor in connection with the same.


20. Additional Prize Information. The total value of each prize provided to a winner of this Challenge is Twenty Dollars ($20).  All income taxes and any other applicable taxes for each winner of this Challenge and the winner’s acceptance of a winning prize are the sole responsibility of the recipient/winner.  An IRS form 1099 will be issued, if required by law.  Each winner is subject to and shall abide by the income reporting and, if applicable, the payment of any taxes due, per the laws, rules and regulations of the winner’s/winners’ country of residence.  Any costs or expenses associated with the acceptance or use of any prize are the responsibility of the recipient/winner. No substitution or transfer of right to receive any Challenge prize will be allowed, except at the sole discretion of Sponsor.  Sponsor also reserves the right at its sole discretion to substitute an alternate prize.  If any winner is prevented from accepting any cash prize in his/her jurisdiction of residence, then, at the option of Sponsor, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute an alternate prize in its sole discretion.  The prizes are not transferable, assignable or redeemable for cash except in Sponsor’s sole discretion. 


21. Grant of Rights to Publicity, Name and Likeness.  By entering this Challenge, regardless of the country of her/his residence, each participant hereby grants to Sponsor and its designees the irrevocable, royalty-free right to publish, disseminate, and use the person’s provided information, such as name, handle, likeness, and biographical information without further notice or consideration, in perpetuity, throughout the world, in all media and formats now known or hereafter invented, in connection with the execution and promotion of this Challenge and the promotion of Sponsor and its activities.


22. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; and Disputes.  This Challenge is governed by United States law and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and these Official Rules shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.  Each participant hereby agrees that any and all disputes claims, causes of action, or controversies arising out of or in connection with this Challenge or these Official Rules shall be resolved in arbitration individually and such arbitration must be brought and heard in the San Jose, California (of the United States) area.  By entering this Challenge, participant hereby irrevocably waives any right to seek and/or obtain rescission and/or equitable and/or injunctive relief and submits to the jurisdiction and venue of the San Jose, California (United States) area.  


23. Representations & Warranties of Participant.   By entering this Challenge, participant represents and warrants that he/she:  (a) has the right to enter this Challenge as contemplated hereunder without the need of any consent of any third party; (b) will abide by these Official Rules and all applicable laws and regulations; (c) is under no obligation or disability, created by law or otherwise, which would in any manner or to any extent prevent or restrict her/his entry into this Challenge or from becoming a prize winner as outlined herein; (d) is not currently nor has been a resident in the past of any of the following countries:  Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Sudan or Syria, The Crimea Region, or any other United States sanctioned country; (e) is not listed under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and/or as a Specially Designated National, Debarred Person and/or Denied Person as defined under United States law; and (f) all responses to each challenge/puzzle shall be and are the original work of the participant.


24. Indemnity.  By entering this Challenge, participant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Sponsor, Sponsor’s affiliates and their directors, officers, employees and agents, as well as the parties assisting Sponsor in administrating this Challenge from and against the full amount of all claims, liabilities, actions, suits, proceedings, assessments, judgments, decrees, losses, fees, damages, settlement funds, and associated costs and expenses including attorney’s fees and costs arising from or in connection with the registration and participation in this Challenge, any use of the challenges/puzzles or materials provided by Sponsor in this Challenge, any answer/response by participant to a challenge/puzzle or particular challenge/puzzle, and/or the exercise by Sponsor of any rights granted to it herein, including without limitation claims based on rights of privacy, rights of publicity, false light, defamation, copyright, trade secret, patent and/or trademark infringement relating to participant’s participation (including any activities engaged in by participant) in this Challenge.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of any claim by a third party, Sponsor shall have, in addition to any other rights available to it, at law or in equity, the right to immediately revoke or not award any prize.


25. DISCLAIMERS.  THE CHALLENGES/PUZZLES AND PRIZE(S) GIVEN AWAY BY SPONSOR, ARE PROVIDED "AS IS'' WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, SPONSOR DOES NOT MAKE, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, ANY WARRANTY, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, REGARDING ANY PUZZLE/CHALLENGE, THE CHALLENGE MATERIALS, OR THE PRIZE OR PORTION THEREOF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED OR STATUTORY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.  SPONSOR AND ITS SUPPLIERS DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE CHALLENGES/PUZZLES OR THE CHALLENGE MATERIALS WILL MEET PARTICIPANT’S REQUIREMENTS OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CHALLENGES/PUZZLES OR THE CHALLENGE MATERIALS WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE.  SPONSOR DOES NOT WARRANT OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY INFORMATION, TEXT, GRAPHICS, PUZZLES/CHALLENGES, LINKS OR OTHER ITEMS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS CHALLENGE’S WEBSITE OR THE CHALLENGE MATERIALS, INCLUDING ANY ACTUAL CHALLENGE/PUZZLE.  SPONSOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES RESPECTING ANY HARM THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION OF A COMPUTER VIRUS, WORM, TIME BOMB, LOGIC BOMB OR OTHER SUCH COMPUTER PROGRAM.


26. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY:  (A) IN NO EVENT WILL THE SPONSOR, SPONSOR’S AFFILIATES AND THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, AS WELL AS THE PARTIES ASSISTING SPONSOR IN ADMINISTRATING THIS CHALLENGE, BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTICIPANT OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF REVENUES, LOST PROFITS, LOST CAPITAL OR OVERHEAD, WHETHER BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER OR NOT SPONSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; (B) SPONSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE OR FOR ANY OF THE CHALLENGE MATERIALS OR ANY PART THEREOF, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED THEREIN, LIBEL, INFRINGEMENTS OF RIGHTS OF PUBLICITY, PRIVACY, TRADEMARK RIGHTS, COPYRIGHTS  OR PATENTS, VIOLATIONS OF TRADE SECRETS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF PRIVACY, MORAL RIGHTS OR THE DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; AND (C) THE MAXIMUM AND CUMULATIVE LIABILITY OF SPONSOR, SPONSOR’S AFFILIATES AND THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, AS WELL AS THE PARTIES ASSISTING SPONSOR IN ADMINISTRATING THIS CHALLENGE, FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, CLAIM, ETC., TO ANY INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATING IN THIS CHALLENGE OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARY SHALL BE TWENTY U.S. DOLLARS ($20), WHETHER BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER OR NOT SPONSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.


27. Release of Claims. By registering and/or participating in this Challenge, participant hereby releases and forever discharges Sponsor, Sponsor’s affiliates and their directors, officers, employees and agents, as well as the parties assisting Sponsor in administrating this Challenge, from and against the full amount of all claims, liabilities, actions, suits, proceedings, assessments, judgments, decrees, losses, fees, damages, settlement funds, and associated costs and expenses including attorney’s fees and costs arising from or in connection with her/his participation or registration in this Challenge and/or the exercise by Sponsor of any rights granted to it herein, including without limitation any claims based on rights of privacy, rights of publicity, false light, defamation, copyright, patent and/or trademark infringement or violation of trade secrets relating to her/his participation in this Challenge and any claims for injury, loss or damage of any kind resulting from the participation in this Challenge or acceptance or use of any prize.


28. Termination.  Sponsor reserves the right to suspend, modify, or terminate this Challenge at any time for any reason, in its absolute and sole discretion, including without limitation, in the event of any violation of these Official Rules or any fraud, abuse, tampering, technical, administrative, financial or other difficulties. In such cases, Sponsor will post a notice on this Challenge’s home page of this Challenge’s site.   In event Sponsor terminates this Challenge prior to anyone being deemed a winner, Sponsor shall have no liability to any participant.  Participant’s rights under these Official Rules will terminate automatically without notice from Sponsor if participant fails to comply with any term(s) of these Official Rules.  Upon termination and/or expiration of this Challenge’s duration, participant shall cease all use of the Challenge Materials, using anything on this Challenge’s website, and destroy all copies, full or partial, of the Challenge Materials.


29. General Terms.   All national, state, municipal and local laws and regulations apply.  Participant may not assign or transfer any right under these Official Rules (and any attempt to do so shall be void) without the prior written consent of Sponsor.  If any provision of these Official Rules is adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or is invalid under the law, rules or regulations of a particular country, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in full force and effect and enforceable.  Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who violates these Official Rules, tampers with the entry process, and/or acts in any way that would, in any way, discredit or harm the reputation of Sponsor, and/or to cancel, modify, or suspend this Challenge if a participant engages in fraud or misconduct or other conduct beyond the control of Sponsor that corrupts the administration, integrity, security, and/or proper operation of this Challenge.  Without limitation of the foregoing, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, modify, or suspend this Challenge due to any of the following reasons:  act of God; unavoidable accident; epidemic; fire; blackout; act of public enemy; war, riot or civil commotion; enactment, rule, order or act of government or governmental instrumentality or tribunal; strike, lockout or other labor dispute; inclement weather; failure of technical facilities; failure of essential production, or technical personnel to appear or be available; or other cause beyond its control. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, incomplete, damaged, mutilated, misdirected, misdelivered, or delayed entries or responses to challenges/puzzles, or for technical or human errors or failures of any kind in connection with the submission, transmission or processing of challenge/puzzle responses/answers, including without limitation any malfunctions or failures of computer hardware, computer software, networks or telephone equipment or any technical problems or traffic congestion on the internet or at any website or any combination thereof.  Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer or administration of this Challenge, or in the announcement of the prizes.  The titles of sections of these Official Rules are for convenience only and shall not be given any legal effect. The word “including” is used in these Official Rules to mean “including but not limited to”.  Participant shall be deemed an independent contractor and nothing contained herein shall constitute this arrangement to be employment, a joint venture, or a partnership. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any provision contained herein unless expressly waived in writing by an authorized representative of Sponsor. 


30. Notices & Information.  All notices shall be provided on or through this website and a participant may contact Sponsor at nick.harbour@mandiant.com.  Other news and information will be provided through Twitter with Twitter hashtag:   #flareon9.  


31. Caution – Violation of Law.  Any attempt by a person to deliberately damage the website on which this Challenge is hosted or to undermine the legitimate operation of this Challenge is a violation of applicable U.S. criminal and civil laws (as well as other applicable laws) and should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person without any limitation to the fullest extent of the law. 


32. Entire Agreement.  These Official Rules set forth the entire agreement and understanding between Sponsor and each participant concerning the subject matter hereof and merges and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any kind between them. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any time to terminate, modify or suspend this Challenge for any reason, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. 


33. List of Winners.  For the names of the winners, which will be available after November 11, 2022, please visit the home page of this Challenge at the following link:  www.flare-on.com.


       ACCEPT CANCEL/DECLINE

Annual Flare-On Challenge 

Copyright 2023 GOOGLE LLC and/or its affiliated entities including MANDIANT.  All rights reserved. 

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