# /research/researchworks/contest/details.htm

originally: http://www.oclc.org/research/researchworks/contest/details.htm

# Third OCLC Research Software Contest – Details for Contestants The contest challenge is to use an OCLC resource to create a Web service that does something interesting, innovative, and useful. Some potential resources are listed below. At a minimum, contest entries must make use of one of the OCLC resources. After that, all others are optional. Part of your job is to convince us why your service is interesting and why it will help libraries, archives or museums and/or their users. Other than that, you're free to implement whatever strikes your fancy. You must bring up a working prototype. ## How to enter
| Review the contest materials. Verify your eligibility. Check out the resource list. Read the Contest Rules and Submission Guidelines located at the bottom of this page.
| Register as a contestant. Upon registering you will receive a unique identification number. You will need this number when you submit your entry. You also will need it if you decide to request a WorldCat Search API service key (see the resource list for more details).
| Develop and submit your contest entry by 30 June 2009.
By registering and by participating in this contest, you agree to be bound by these rules. You also agree to abide by the terms and conditions associated with the files you download and the services you use as part of this contest. ## Judging A panel of judges will select the winning entry, based on these criteria: Value to libraries, archives, or museums (30%). How much will this improve OCLC members' services or lower their costs? Use of OCLC services or data (30%). How is OCLC involved? How could it enhance OCLC's capabilities to improve services to OCLC members? Originality (20%). How new an idea is this? Is it a reimplementation of existing systems, or something completely new? Clean architecture and design (20%). How understandable is the code? How does it interact with other systems? Can it be built upon to extend its services or incorporate it into a larger system? The judges shall have the sole authority and discretion to select the award recipient(s). ## Eligibility Contestants must be at least 18 years old to enter. The contest is open to individuals or collaborative teams of people, though only one prize will be awarded per entry. Commercial for-profit entities may not participate. It is your sole responsibility to review and understand your employer's policies regarding your eligibility to participate in contests. If you are participating in violation of your employer's policies, you may be disqualified from entering this Contest or receiving prizes. OCLC disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for disputes arising between an employee and their employer related to this matter, and prizes will only be awarded in compliance with the employer's policies. OCLC employees and their families, OCLC contractors, and the contest judges, may not enter the competition. This contest is void where prohibited. ## Resources
| Various OCLC services are available for use from the sites listed below. You must use at least one of these services in your entry. ResearchWorks OCLC Grid Services Notes about the WorldCat Search API: One of the OCLC Grid Services available to contestants is the WorldCat Search API. Contest access to the API provides search and retrieval of bibliographic records in WorldCat, along with information on related library locations. General information about this service is available from the OCLC Grid Services wiki, but specific information governs contest participants' use of this service and supercedes the general information available on the wiki. Use of the WorldCat Search API requires a service key which can be requested by email. You must register for the contest before requesting a service key. Submit your contest ID in order to receive a service key. It is not necessary to be affiliated with an OCLC member library in order to use the API for the contest. See the contest-specific API information page for specific details relating to contestants' use of the API.
| In addition to OCLC services (one of which is required), you may also use any Web service that is freely available on the open Web, or your own data or service, as long as your use is consistent with any terms of service or other conditions governing use of the service.
## Contest rules Entries will be accepted beginning 13 April 2009. The deadline for entry is midnight (Eastern Daylight Time) 30 June 2009. With regard to the software and data that you obtain for the Contest, you agree to the license terms as stated in all files you download or receive, or services you use. When you submit an entry to the OCLC Research Software Contest, you grant OCLC a non-exclusive license to use your submission in a variety of ways. As a non-exclusive license, this does not inhibit your right to continue to work with and develop your idea, as long as as your continued development does not depend on a Web Services Key obtained from OCLC for the Contest. (If you are eligible for a permanent Web Services Key, you will need to apply for this to continue to use OCLC Web Services.) More specifically, when you submit an entry as part of the Contest, you grant OCLC a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to access, review, and evaluate the submission for purposes of judging the contest. You may not use OCLC services for commercial for-profit services or for any purpose other than the development of your entry. OCLC reserves the right to discontinue your access to OCLC services, or your participation in the contest, at any time. Entries must not include any viruses or destructive properties. There is no guarantee that you will be able to continue using the OCLC services after the competition. If you are selected as a contest winner, you agree that OCLC may publicize your name, likeness, and the description of work you submitted to win the contest. Apart from the prizes associated with being selected as a winner, OCLC shall not be obligated to compensate you in any way for such publicity. One $2,500 prize will be awarded to each winning entry. If the winning entry is submitted by more than one individual, the $2,500 prize will be divided equally among the participants who submit the winning entry. In addition, OCLC shall provide one member of the winning team an economy-class round trip ticket for a commercial carrier flight to the Columbus, Ohio area, and will reimburse the traveler for up to 4 nights stay at a hotel to be designated by OCLC. Each entrant shall indemnify, defend, and hold OCLC harmless from any third party claims arising from or related to that entrant's participation in the contest. In no event shall OCLC be liable to an entrant for acts or omissions arising out of or related to the Contest or that entrant's participation in the contest. OCLC will not use the source code from your program for purposes outside the scope of the OCLC Research Software Contest, however, nothing herein prevents OCLC from developing a product or service identical to or similar in nature to the ideas contained in your submission. Odds of winning depend on the number and quality of entries received. All taxes, including income taxes, are the sole responsibility of winners. No prize substitution is permitted. Winner(s) may be required to verify their entry. ## Submission guidelines To submit your entry, follow these guidelines to send us a link (URL) to a remotely located Web service. You represent and warrant that you have obtained the necessary permission to use any third-party resources contained in your submission and you have all rights necessary to grant the license set forth herein. Entries from outside the U.S. are welcome. All entries must include an English-language explanation of the design. In your submission, we encourage you to include all data needed to support your claims, such as sample output from your program. Also include clear instructions and access to the working prototype. In the event that we are not able to access your service, your entry will be disqualified. Your entries must also include the names, email addresses, and brief resumes (including postal addresses and telephone numbers) of everyone who contributed to the project. Submit your entry here. Be sure to include your contest identification number with your entry. You may submit multiple entries. Keep copies for your records. OCLC assumes no responsibility for lost, misdirected, illegible or late entries or for failed computer transmissions or technical failures. Entries will be accepted through midnight (Eastern Daylight Time) 30 June 2009. ## Notification The winning entry (or entries) will be announced on the OCLC Research site by OCLC on or before 31 July 2009. Individual winners will be notified by email. Winners have 30 days from notification to claim the prize. The prize may be claimed by return email. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. ## Questions? Email OCLC Research | Terms and conditions Participation in the contest is governed by the rules and guidelines on this page and by various terms and conditions associated with specific files and services contestants may use. By participating in the contest, contestants agree to abide by these conditions. Quick links Contest details Eligibility Resources Contest-specific API information Contest rules Judges Register Submission guidelines Submit your entry Of interest 2006 Contest Winner 2005 Contest Winner