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docs/January-2026-Copilot-Skills-Series-Sweepstakes-Rules.md

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+**MICROSOFT GITHUB TAKE YOUR SKILLS TO NEW HEIGHTS**   
+**WITH OUR GITHUB COPILOT SKILLS JOURNEY SWEEPSTAKES**  
+**OFFICIAL RULES**
+
+1. **SPONSOR**  
+
+   These Official Rules (“Rules”) govern the operation of the Microsoft GitHub Take your skills to new heights with our GitHub Copilot Skills Journey Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”). Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA, 98052, USA, is the Sweepstakes sponsor (“Sponsor”).
+
+2. **DEFINITIONS**  
+
+   In these Rules, “Microsoft”, “we”, “our”, and “us”, refer to Sponsor and “you” and “yourself” refers to a Sweepstakes participant, or the parent/legal guardian of any Sweepstakes entrant who has not reached the age of majority to contractually obligate themselves in their legal place of residence. “Event” refers to the Take your skills to new heights with our GitHub Copilot Skills Journey held online from January 20-February 17 (the “Program”). By entering you (your parent/legal guardian if you are not the age of majority in your legal place of residence) agree to be bound by these Rules.
+
+
+3. **ENTRY PERIOD**  
+
+   The Sweepstakes will operate during regular Program hours from January 20, 2026 to February 17, 2026 (“Entry Period”). 
+
+4. **ELIGIBILITY**  
+
+   Open to any registered Event attendee fourteen (14) years of age or older with an active GitHub account. If you are fourteen (14) years of age or older but have not reached the age of majority in your legal place of residence, then you must have the consent of a parent/legal guardian.  
+
+   Employees and directors of Microsoft Corporation and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising agencies, and Sweepstakes Parties are not eligible, nor are persons involved in the execution or administration of this Sweepstakes or the family members of each above (parents, children, siblings, spouse/domestic partners, or individuals residing in the same household). Void in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Region of Crimea, Russia, and where otherwise prohibited by law. 
+
+5. **HOW TO ENTER**  
+
+   No Purchase Necessary. During your participation in the Program, you will develop an application using GitHub Copilot Agent (your “App”). The requirements for your App will be shared during the Program. You will receive entries by visiting the web site for the Sweepstakes at [https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/184217](https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Forgs%2Fcommunity%2Fdiscussions%2F184217&data=05%7C02%7Cjragen%40shb.com%7C214d5efcaa094978688708de553ee252%7C7be5e27659ab444899e76ab9030adfbf%7C1%7C0%7C639041925774084398%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s63vyFIZ7X%2BxljukEXS312tdo8%2BHdfCnxuNT4hqa1%2B4%3D&reserved=0) (“Sweepstakes Website”) and completing the following actions during each week of the Program:  
+
+
+| Week | Action |
+| :---- | :---- |
+| Week 1 | Access the weekly comment and follow the instructions to receive one (1) entry |
+| Week 2 | Access the weekly comment and follow the instructions to receive one (1) entry |
+| Week 3 | Access the weekly comment and follow the instructions to receive one (1) entry |
+| Week 4 | Share via comment a link to the final version of your App to receive one (1) entry |
+
+
+
+   The entry limit is one (1) per person per week, and a total of four (4) entries overall. Any attempt by you to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different accounts, identities, registrations, logins, or any other methods will void your entries and you may be disqualified. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited.
+
+
+
+   We are not responsible for excess, lost, late, or incomplete entries. If disputed, entries will be deemed submitted by the “authorized account holder” of the email address, social media account, or other method used to enter. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned to an email address by an internet or online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses. 
+
+6. **WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION**  
+
+   Pending confirmation of eligibility, potential prize winners will be selected by Microsoft or our designated agent within seven (7) days following the event from among all eligible entries received.
+
+
+Potential winners will be notified via the contact information provided during entry no more than seven (7) days following the drawing with prize claim instructions, including submission deadlines.
+
+Prizes will be sent no later than twenty-eight (28) days after winner selection. Prize winners may be required to complete and return prize claim and/or tax forms (“Forms”) within the deadline stated in the winner notification. If a selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim a prize or fails to return any Forms, the selected winner will forfeit their prize and an alternate winner will be selected. Only three (3) alternate winners will be selected, after which unclaimed prizes will remain unawarded.
+
+7. **PRIZES**  
+
+
+The following prizes will be awarded: 
+
+**Ten (10) Grand Prizes.** Each winner will receive a gift card to the GitHub shop. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $30.00 USD.
+
+The ARV of electronic prizes is subject to price fluctuations in the consumer marketplace based on, among other things, any gap in time between the date the ARV is estimated for purposes of these Official Rules and the date the prize is awarded or redeemed. We will determine the value of the prize to be the fair market value at the time of prize award.
+
+The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of all prizes: **$300.00 USD**
+
+We will only award one (1) prize per person. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. No substitution, transfer, or assignment of prize permitted, except that Microsoft reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event the offered prize is unavailable. Microsoft products awarded as prizes are awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied (including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement); you assume the entire risk of quality and performance, and should the prizes prove defective, you assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing or repair. This is so even if the Microsoft product mentions a warranty on its packaging, in a manual, or in marketing materials; no warranty applies to Microsoft products awarded as prizes. Microsoft does not give any warranty of any kind, express or implied (including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose) on products made by a company other than Microsoft that are awarded as prizes. Please contact the manufacturer to see if it is covered by that company’s warranty.
+
+Taxes on the prize, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner, who is advised to seek independent counsel regarding the tax implications of accepting a prize. By accepting a prize, you agree that Microsoft may use your entry, name, image and hometown online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Sweepstakes without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.
+
+8. **ODDS**  
+
+   The odds of winning are based on the number and/or quality of eligible entries received. 
+
+9. **GENERAL CONDITIONS AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY**  
+
+   To the extent allowed by law, by entering you agree to release and hold harmless Microsoft and its respective parents, partners, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss, or damage of any kind arising in connection with this Sweepstakes or any prize won.  
+
+   All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. In the event of a dispute, the decisions of Microsoft are final and binding.  
+
+   We reserve the right to cancel, change, or suspend this Sweepstakes for any reason without prior notice, including (but not limited to) cheating, technology failure, catastrophe, war, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that affects the integrity of this Sweepstakes, whether human or mechanical. If the integrity of the Sweepstakes cannot be restored, we may select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Sweepstakes.   
+
+   If you attempt or we have strong reason to believe that you have compromised the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, creating a bot or other automated program, or by committing fraud in any way, we may seek damages from you to the full extent of the law and you may be banned from participation in future Microsoft promotions. 
+
+10. **GOVERNING LAW**  
+
+    This Sweepstakes will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Sweepstakes.
+
+11. **WINNERS LIST**  
+
+    Send an email to [ghostinhershell@github.com](mailto:ghostinhershell@github.com) with the subject line “Take your skills to new heights with our GitHub Copilot Skills Journey winners” within thirty (30) days of February 28, 2026 to receive a list of winners that received a prize worth $25.00 USD or more.
+
+12. **PRIVACY**
+
+    Your privacy is important to us. Microsoft uses the personal data you provide on this form to notify you of important information about our products, upgrades and enhancements, and to send you information about other Microsoft products and services. We share your personal data with your consent or as necessary to complete any transaction or provide any service you have requested. We also share data with Microsoft-controlled affiliates and subsidiaries; with vendors working on our behalf; when required by law or to respond to legal process; to protect our customers; to protect lives; to maintain the security of our services; and to protect the rights or property of Microsoft. Microsoft is committed to protecting the security of your personal data. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Your personal data is never shared outside the company without your permission, except under conditions explained above. For more information about Microsoft’s Privacy Practices, see [https://aka.ms.privacy](https://aka.ms.privacy). 
+
+    If you believe that Microsoft has not adhered to this statement, please contact us at [https://aka.ms/privacyresponse](https://aka.ms/privacyresponse). We will respond to questions within thirty (30) days.