Sony Connect James Patterson Sweepstakes
Official Contest Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN.
PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE THE ODDS OF YOUR ENTRY WINNING.

  1. Eligibility. The Sony Connect James Patterson Sweepstakes (the "Sweepstakes") is only open to legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding residents of Quebec), who are adults (18 years of age in most jurisdictions) as of the date of entry. Employees, representatives and contractors of Sony Connect Inc. ("Sponsor"), any affiliated companies, prize suppliers, advertising and promotion agencies, the immediate family members of such companies (regardless of where they reside) and individuals living in the same households of each of these individuals are not eligible. The Sweepstakes is void where prohibited or restricted by law, and is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. By participating in the Sweepstakes as described in Sections 2 or 3 herein below, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Official Sweepstakes Rules (the "Rules"), and the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sony Connect Inc., Sony and the Sony logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
  2. How to Enter Online. To enter online, you must visit http://ebookstore.sony.com/content/patterson/, submit your true and correct name, email address and mailing address and correctly answer the following question (the "Entry Question"): "In stores, the Reader Digital Book comes with a preloaded excerpt of which James Patterson legal thriller?" If you do not own a Reader Digital Book, you may visit a Borders or Sony Style store near you to view the Reader Digital Book on display. Individuals who submit the correct answer will be automatically entered into the Sweepstakes. All entries must be received by May 12, 2008. Limit one (1) entry per person during the Sweepstakes Period (as defined in Section 7 below) regardless of the method of entry. Entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address associated with such entry. As a result, be sure to use your own true and correct email address when you enter. By registering for the Sweepstakes, contestants also agree to accept email messages from, Sponsor and its advertising affiliates (hereinafter referred to as "Advertisers"). See Section 9 hereinbelow for detailed information concerning Sponsor's Privacy Policy.
  3. How to Enter by Mail. If you do not own a Reader Digital Book and you do not wish to visit a Borders or Sony Style store to view the Reader Digital Book, you may submit a mail-in entry. To enter by mail, you must hand print your name, mailing address and email address on a postcard and mail it via first-class mail to: Sony Connect, Inc., "James Patterson Competition", 6080 Center Drive, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90045. You are not required to include a response to the Entry Question with your mail-in entry. Mail-in entries must be received by May 12, 2008. Mail-in entries will be pooled with all other entries to the Sweepstakes. Limit one (1) entry per person during the Contest Period (as defined in Section 7 below) regardless of the method of entry. Entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address associated with such entry. As a result, be sure to use your own true and correct email address when you enter. By registering for the Sweepstakes, contestants also agree to accept email messages from, Sponsor and its advertising affiliates (hereinafter referred to as "Advertisers"). See Section 9 hereinbelow for detailed information concerning Sponsor's Privacy Policy.
  4. How to Win. On May 14, 2008, one (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period. Winner will be notified via email within seven (7) days after the winner is chosen (contestants should ensure that the email address associated with their entry is accurate and up to date). Winner may be subject to eligibility verification. Prior to the prize being awarded, the winner may be required to execute and return a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release within ten (10) days following attempted notification. Non-compliance within this time period may result in forfeiture of the prize. Winner may be required to provide Sponsor picture proof of identification, which may include a driver's license, passport, voting card or similar government issued identification. In addition, the winner may be required to provide Sponsor with proof that he/she is the authorized account holder of the electronic mail address associated with the potential winning entry. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in forfeiture. In no case shall Sponsor be liable in any manner where a winner has not received notification sent from Sponsor or where Sponsor fails to receive a response from the winner within the required response period. In the event that the original winner forfeits the prize, Sponsor reserves the right to select an alternate winner from among the remaining eligible entries.
  5. Prize Description. Winner will receive one (1) James Patterson Special Reader Bundle, valued at $329.99. Bundle includes:

    • One (1) Sony Reader Digital Book;
    • One (1) eBook Code valid for the Women's Murder Club Bundle containing the first six (6) titles of the Women's Murder Club series. Winner must redeem Code by 6/30/08. Credit balance associated with Code will expire on 8/31/08. Free account registration at The eBook Store from Sony required. Visit ebookstore.sony.com/cardterms to review all conditions & systems/computer requirements that apply to redemption and use of Code and Credit; and
    • One (1) custom James Patterson Reader Digital Book protective skin from SkinIt.
  6. No transfers or substitution of prize will be permitted except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize (or a portion thereof) of comparable or greater value. In the event that a component of the prize is not available for any reason beyond Sponsor's control, the remaining elements of the prize shall constitute full satisfaction of Sponsor's prize obligation to winner and no additional compensation will be awarded (except at Sponsor's sole discretion).

  7. Odds of Winning. The odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period.
  8. Limited Time Only. Sweepstakes begins on April 21, 2008 and all entries must be received by May 9, 2008 (the "Sweepstakes Period"). Winner will be selected by random drawing on May 14, 2008.
  9. Winners List. To receive a list of the winner(s), send a self addressed stamped envelope to: Sony Connect, Inc., "James Patterson Competition", 6080 Center Drive, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
  10. Privacy Statement. For a thorough recital of Sponsor's Privacy Policy, please click here or visit http://ebookstore.sony.com/privacy.
  11. Tax Information. Federal, state and local taxes, and all similar fees and assessments, if any, are the responsibility of the winner. Sponsor reserves the right to withhold taxes from each winning prize, as appropriate.
  12. Publication. Sweepstakes entry constitutes permission for Sponsor to use your name, picture, likeness and biographical information (whether in whole or in part) for advertising, and promotional purposes, worldwide, in perpetuity, in print, broadcast and in any media now known or hereafter developed, including the Internet, without further compensation, excluding residents of the State of Tennessee and where otherwise prohibited by law.
  13. Release. By entering the Sweepstakes, each contestant (or if a minor, his or her parent or legal guardian) agrees to release and hold harmless Sony Connect, Inc. and each of its legal representatives, its affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, agencies and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, the "Releasees") from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from, or in connection with, the Sweepstakes including, but not limited to, liability arising from copyright infringement, improper use of likeness, personal injury, death, damages or monetary loss or any other caused, conditions or events whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor and/or any of the Releasees. Restrictions, conditions and limitations apply. Releasees are not responsible for technical, computer, mechanical, printing, typographical, human or other errors or omissions relating to or which may arise in connection with the Sweepstakes including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the submission of entries, the administration of the Sweepstakes, the announcement of the winner; or for stolen, lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, inaccurate, undelivered, delayed or illegible entries. By entering, each contestant further agrees that, in the event that there is any conflict or other inconsistency between the Rules and any advertisements, promotional or marketing materials, e-mails or announcements relevant to the Sweepstakes, these Rules will govern.
  14. Disqualification. Sony Connect, Inc., each of its legal representatives, its affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, agencies and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, are not responsible for lost, interrupted or unavailable network server or other connections, miscommunications, failed computer transmissions or technical failure, lost online or mail-in entries, jumbled, scrambled or misdirected transmissions, or other errors of any kind, whether human, mechanical or electronic. Persons found tampering with or abusing any aspect of the Sweepstakes, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified. If disqualified for any of the above reasons, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate contestant's eligibility to participate in the Sweepstakes. In the event that any portion of the Sweepstakes is compromised by virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes beyond the control of Sponsor, which, in the sole opinion of Sponsor, corrupts, or impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper determination of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend or terminate the Sweepstakes or any part of the Sweepstakes, or any combination of the above. Sony Connect, Inc., each of its legal representatives, its affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, agencies and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents are not responsible for any problem with entries generated by computer hardware or software malfunction, error or failure, whatever the cause. Sponsor's sole responsibility for any irregular entry is replacement with another entry in a subsequent drawing, if any.
  15. Choice of Law and Venue. Any disputes arising out of or related to the Sweepstakes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California (without regard to conflict of law principles). Should a dispute arise concerning the Promotion, the parties agree to submit their dispute for resolution to the Federal District Court for the Central District of California. Should any part of these Rules be held invalid or unenforceable, that portion shall be construed consistent with applicable law and the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. To the extent that Sponsor's Privacy Policy and/or Terms and Conditions are in conflict or inconsistent with these Rules as they pertain to the Sweepstakes, these Rules shall take precedence.
  16. Legal Warning. Any attempt by any individual, whether or not a contestant, to damage, destroy, tamper with or vandalize the Sweepstakes, or otherwise interfere with the operation of the Sweepstakes, is a violation of criminal and civil law and Sponsor will diligently pursue any and all remedies in this regard against any offending individual or entity to the fullest extent permissible by law and in equity.
  17. Sponsor. Sony Connect Inc., 6080 Center Drive, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90045.