Answer: In plain English, it seems as though the network equipment giant doesn't like being strong-armed by Canada's French-speaking province. And I can't say that I blame them ... in either language.
Perhaps you've read of Cisco's I-Prize contest. In a nutshell, the best idea for a company wins a bunch of money and the entrepreneur gets taken under a big-time corporate wing. No surprise to see more than 1,100 entries, which Cisco has whittled down to a final dozen.
What was surprising was to read the eligibility requirements and see this classic example of the old grade-school quiz: "Which one is not like the others?" For not eligible to participate in Cisco's contest were residents of Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar, Sudan ... and Quebec?
Huh? The first six are relatively easy to understand: Cuba, embargo; Iran, verge of war; Syria, funds Hezbollah; North Korea, axis of evil; Myanmar, military junta; Sudan, genocide.
But Quebec? Yes, the separatist movement has seen moments of violence, but bloody Iraq is not on that prohibited list. And, neither is Afghanistan, so I'm presuming Osama bin Laden was eligible for I-Prize even if Quebec Premier Jean Charest was not.
My initial inquiry to Cisco stumped the company's public relations department, but then I received this statement:
Hi Paul,
So I did a little research on this for you, and apparently Quebec has one of the most stringent set of rules and regulations for sweepstakes and other contests set out by the Quebec government. Local law requires "sponsors" to adhere to some or all of the following:
* Register the sweepstakes rules and all advertisements used to promote the contest with the Quebec government at least 30 days ahead of the sweepstake's launch.
* Pay a fee of 10% of the sweepstake's value.
* Agree to allow the government of Quebec to mediate any lawsuits arising from the contest.
* Allow the Quebec government to determine if the sweepstake may be changed or canceled once it has started.
* File a written report after the contest has concluded, attesting that the prizes have been delivered or attempted to be delivered.
Because of this, many companies just void Quebec from participating in sweepstakes and contests.
A 10% fee? Tony Soprano might approve, but I cannot imagine that too many contest sponsors opt to pay.
Last week I sent an inquiry to the government of Quebec seeking its side of the story, but have yet to receive a reply.
Maybe they're waiting for my check.
(Update: Google Code Jam is another example of Quebec residents being on the outs.)
Welcome regulars and passersby. Here are a few more recent Buzzblog items. And, if you'd like to receive Buzzblog via e-mail newsletter, here's where to sign up.
Attrition.org nails another nitwit ... this time with Monty Python's Holy Grail.
"I have a lost laptop horror story for you."
Kellogg's and LEGO team up to teach kids to choke.
Court rejects music industry's wild promo CD copyright claim.
Can early tornado warnings create Darwin Award winners?
The REAL sticking point between Microsoft and Yahoo!
Times breaks out xkcd-to-English translator.
This Year's 25 Geekiest 25th Anniversaries.
Top 10 Buzzblog posts for '07: Verizon's there, of course, along with Gates, Wikipedia and the guy who lost a girlfriend to Blackberry's blackout.
When not blogging, I am a Network World news editor and write the 'Net Buzz column.
The opinions expressed in this Weblog are those of the writer and may not represent the opinions of Network World.
|
|
Quebec
Netflix
http://www.netflixprize.com/rules
Cisco I-Prize & Québec
OK I know French is difficult but the fee is not 10% but 0.5%.
That's a whopping $1250 cost to Cisco.
Plain ignorance and bad legal counsel.
That's not a first!
Why on earth should Cisco
Why on earth should Cisco pay anything to Le Gov't?
Also, it's not bad counsel. It is costly to make exceptions when you're running a contest this large. Quebec gets what they deserve for having such obtuse positions.
Obtuse, really?
Theses obtuse positions are to protect the consumers / participants. In Quebec they have the best consumer protection laws in Canada. They don't get horror stories about the prizes being pulled, cancelled or changed because Bigshot Inc screwed up in some way and doesn't want to pay up. And it is only 0.5% for administration / legal fees. Cisco's just lazy.
But it's kinda cool / weird to see them bunched in with Iran, North Korea and the likes!
I'm from Quebec. It's not
I'm from Quebec. It's not very "cool" to be excluded from the legitimate contests. Cisco isn't the only company opting out. Hell, most North American contests (and worldwide) simply opt out of having it run in Quebec just to save themselves the hassle. I remember all those Nintendo Power drawings back in the day... Damn I wanted to enter, but no, banned!
Believe me, Quebec is overprotected. This is not "le libertarian", quite the opposite.
Yes, obtuse
How can anyone justify that rule? Imagine if every States and every Province had that stupid law... It would cost 60k$ just to make a North-American wide contest.
Consumer protection laws are made to protect the consumers, not shield them from everything like babies.
Why not just make any contests illegal? We'd be even more protected!
Maybe enterprises do not want to be bothered by extra rules.
I don't think it is the French language or the fee that is the problem here. It's easier to exclude the places that have extra rules. I think there could be lots of other non Quebec Canadian citizens that would be happy with the prize.
Quebec
I live in Quebec, it's a very nice place to live but this law stinks. Every contest, fantasy sports game prize etc on the internet bans Quebec residents.
Most of the Quebec journalist don't want to speak about this problem because they like that we are different. Most of them are separatist.
Too bad, I would prefer to read about the great festivities for the 400th anniversary of the foundation of Quebec city than this stinking law.
Hell Yeah! Van Halen in
Hell Yeah! Van Halen in Quebec city tonight!!!!
Again with the separatists
When will people like you realize that dropping "it's because of the separatists" in every time you talk about Quebec makes you look like a tool?
Quebec is a democracy. Laws have been voted in, just like the referendum that the separatists keep losing. If there is a something that you don't like in Quebec, do something about it instead of writing stupidities online as there is more than enough supports from "non-separatists".
But it's easier to blame them for everything eh?
Post new comment