International promotions require a
knowledgeable partner
You've found one.
NSC has years of experience administering sweepstakes and contests in countries all over the world.
In order to ensure the utmost compliance with any promotion running in another country, we have established relationships with excellent attorneys worldwide.
We will ensure the promotion structure is compliant and rules are written in accordance with the laws of the applicable countries included, handle all necessary translations, registrations, permits and everything else you need.
UK, Germany, China and More
International Administration
International sweepstakes and contests require Official Rules, translations, registrations and more. We provide expert International Administration services to ensure your promotion meets compliance in the countries you are including.
Legal Advice
We will review the countries you wish to include and provide an overview of the legalities involved, potential limitations and permits required.
Official Rules
We will originate and adapt the Official Rules and Legal Disclaimers to suit the individual requirements of the various countries involved.
Bonds + Permits
We will work the applicable government agencies to ensure the promotion is properly bonded, registered and permitted, if needed.
Translation
We'll translate all of your documents (including your website) to ensure it is articulated in each country's primary language.
Specific Requirements for Common Countries
Canada
It seems easy enough to include residents of Canada in your international sweepstakes or contest. But, you’ll need to think twice before opening and advertising your promotion to Canada residents without first taking a couple of extra steps.
Depending upon your promotion structure, you may have to register with the Régie, and no matter your promotion structure you will definitely have to translate your promotional materials into French (yes, we recommend translating all of them). We provide translation services and can facilitate bonds / registrations with the Régie.
Canada resident winners must complete a skill testing question (typically a three to four step math question) before receiving a prize in a game of chance. NSC will administer the skill testing question, and advise on the best way to distribute to winners.
Like most countries, Canada (whether you include Quebec or not) has certain requirements when it comes to the language included in the full Official Rules and legal disclaimers. We’ll draft the required documents and, if needed have them reviewed by outside Canada legal counsel.
United Kingdom
If you have a strong demographic there, the UK is a fairly simple region to to host your international promotion. Here are the basics:
If you have a strong demographic there, the UK is a fairly simple region to to host your international promotion. Here are the basics:
A “free” method of entry or AMOE (“Alternate Method of Entry”) is not required for a free prize draws in the UK. If you are incorporating other countries that do require the AMOE, it will need to be offered to UK residents too.
A “free” method of entry or AMOE (“Alternate Method of Entry”) is not required for a free prize draws in the UK. If you are incorporating other countries that do require the AMOE, it will need to be offered to UK residents too.
France
Promotions in France require a bit more administration than those in Canada or the UK. There are specific rules relating to the operation of the promotions you run and breaches of these rules could be punishable under the French Consumer Code, with hefty fines (around $80k USD). Here’s what you need to be doing:
Promotion may be required to be filed with French bailiff prior to promotion start. We’ll let you know if its required and handle the submissions for you.
Among other things (ensuring a compliant structure and proper standard legal language, time zone requirements, etc.), all rules must be translated in French. We’ll handle the translations for you and ensure the proper language is articulated in the official rules.
Under the French Consumer Code, certain obligations are imposed on the Sponsor regarding the reimbursement of postage, telephone, and internet connection costs related to participation in the sweepstakes. We will advise on potential reimburseables upon structuring the promotion.
Germany
Contests open and advertised in Germany can be problematic if you are driving the purchase of a product. Further, some social network policies do not comply with German data protection law, so we’ll want to look at that carefully upon structuring the promotion. Here’s a few additional things to consider:
Terms and conditions (and other corresponding documents & advertising) needs to be translated into German.. We’ll handle the translations for you and ensure the proper language is articulated in the official rules.
German laws dictate that Official Rules for sweepstakes be transparent, clear, and unambiguous. So, certain material terms of the promotion must be disclosed in a particular way (such as German local times, descriptions of winner notification processes, etc.). We will ensure all of the applicable material terms are disclosed upon writing the Official Rules.
We see language surrounding the Entrants “Waiver of Rights” in US based Official Rules. However, an Entrant’s proposed waiver of any right to claim ambiguity in a Contest or the Official Rules would be regarded as an inappropriate discrimination under German consumer protection law and therefore should not apply within Germany. It can get complex and confusing – especially when your promotion is open up to more than one country. We’ve got you covered.