>Language is the problem. The case studies are submitted in English. This puts residents of non English speaking countries at a disadvantage. Yes, I know they probably speak English anyway. Yes, I know they can find someone to write the case studies for them. Yes, I know all the arguments why this is silly. But, nonetheless, when Microsoft runs a contest, our legal department has to approve it.

Yes, I know. I exchanged a lot about that with them last year when we were in search of explanations. IAC, as for me, a submission in English wouldn't have represented any problem. I'm sure others in Quebec would have been able to submit in English as well if they would have wanted to participate.

>We considered not making this a contest and making it just an international call for case studies. Then I called several of last years finalists and winners and they strongly felt that if there were no winners they probably wouldn't have entered last year. So we had a choice: an open non-contest that would not attract the same quality of entrants, or a contest that is only open to English speaking countries. We chose the latter. We also chose to encourage everyone to send in their case studies. We can't give out prizes to everyone, but we can certainly publicize all of the case studies.

Yes, but the same is true in reverse. Will the case study be as good if it does not qualify for the contest? :)