Nintendo of America - Licensed Tournament Application

Nintendo of America -

Licensed Tournament Application

All events must abide by Nintendo of America's Code of Conduct. Organizers must ensure a tournament remains family-friendly, meaning no profanity, drug use, or otherwise inappropriate behavior: Don’t be offensive, misrepresent, harass, threaten, discriminate against, or abuse anyone, and don’t act in any other manner that could disrupt the enjoyment of others or result in harm to anyone.

Individuals hosting not-for profit, small scale community tournaments do not need to apply for a license provided that the Community Tournament Guidelines are followed.

If you are a corporate entity or organization that wishes to host a game tournament involving games for which Nintendo owns the copyright, you must complete this application and obtain permission from Nintendo to conduct the game tournament prior to announcing the tournament. We are unable to grant a license for circuits or leagues.

This application form is only for corporate entities and organizations to apply for a license to conduct game tournaments in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec).

(Applications for Latin America and Quebec will open at a later date. Please stay tuned.)

Individuals looking to host a game tournament that exceeds the scope of the Community Tournament Guidelines may also use this application form to apply for permission to host a game tournament if the operation of the tournament is outsourced to a corporate entity or organization. The operation of game tournaments may not be outsourced to individuals.

To make an application, please carefully review the questions below and follow the instructions.

It is up to Nintendo’s sole discretion whether or not a license will be granted.

An application must be made by the organizer of the game tournament (i.e., the representative or the person in charge of hosting a game tournament).

Tournaments that fall outside the scope of the Community Tournament Guidelines must apply for a license.

Organizers are strongly recommended to submit eight weeks prior to their intended announcement date as the time required to complete the review of a submission may vary depending on the submission volume and complexity of applications.

Click here for the Nintendo Privacy Policy for U.S. Residents

Click here for the Nintendo Privacy Policy for Canadian Residents

Tournament Details

Please select the description from below that best describes the game tournament for which you are applying for a license.*

NOTE: If the organizer of the game tournament is an individual who has outsourced operation of the tournament to a corporate entity or organization, please select the item that best describes the business category of the corporate entity or organization operating the game tournament.

A game tournament hosted by a small group or small organization such as a club or neighborhood association

A game tournament hosted by a game retailer

A game tournament hosted by a media outlet or organization such as a TV station or magazine publisher

A game tournament hosted by a for-profit corporation that does not fall into the above two items (e.g., corporations, limited liability companies)

A game tournament hosted by an educational institution such as a school

A game tournament hosted by a non-profit organization, public institution, or government agency other than an educational institution

A game tournament hosted for the purpose of charity

Charity Information*

Please list the charitable organization's name that will be receiving the donation, along with their purpose and any relevant information, such as links to their website.

By checking this box, I confirm the donation(s) will only be made to legitimate charitable organizations.*

By checking this box, I confirm that I have informed the charity of this game tournament and I have met any requirements imposed by the charity.*

By checking this box, I confirm all accounting related to the cost of the tournament, including donations, will be posted on a website or social media account that is accessible to everyone.*

By checking this box, I understand that Nintendo assumes no responsibility for donations.*

Which game would you like a tournament license for?*

Note: Applications for other games may or may not be granted.

Online or In-Person Tournament?*

Online tournament (Participants will connect over the internet to compete online.)

In-Person tournament (Participants will gather in person at a venue to compete.)

For in-person tournaments, please list the address where the tournament will be held in the following format:*

Venue Name

Address 1,

Address 2,

City, State/Province, Zip Code,

Country

Tournament Name*

Note: Tournament names that include Nintendo intellectual property, trademarks owned by Nintendo, or names containing "eSports" will not be permitted.

As a reminder, you are not permitted to use Nintendo trademarks or IP as part of any tournament activity, including promotional and marketing materials for your tournament. However, you may reference game names in the description of your tournament to indicate which games will be played at your tournament.

Please describe in detail the full scope and what kind of game tournament you will be hosting and for what purpose.*

Please include details on the full scope of the event, including side activities that will occur as a part of the event.

Sample Entries:

This is a regularly held tournament for players of all levels and interests that serves as a gathering to support and grow the local player community

This is a large-scale regional tournament featuring high-level play across multiple games

This is a major event featuring multiple game tournaments, concerts, and other activities.

Are there commercial vendors at your event?*

(Please note that any revenue received from vendors for booth space must be used for event space fees only).

Yes

Please describe the products and services being bought or sold by the commercial vendors*

Required: Upload Full Ruleset Here*

Please provide the proposed format(s) of the tournament (Bracket, Ladder, Single/Double Elimination, etc.) and be sure to include any rules relating to character or stage selection.

Drag and drop files here or

Number of times the tournament will be held in a calendar year*

If you are granted a license, you can hold the same tournament up to 10 distinct times in a calendar year in one application.

Select

Planned start date of the game tournament*

For game tournaments that will be held over multiple days, please indicate the first date of the tournament.

Planned end date of the game tournament*

Please indicate the last date of the tournament or, in the case of a recurring tournament with the same format, indicate the date of the last recurring tournament to be held.

Note: if your application is approved, this will be the date your license expires.

Planned announcement date of the game tournament*

Please enter the date you hope to announce the game tournament.

Reminder: A tournament license must be approved before a tournament can be announced

Organizer Details

Your legal name*

You cannot apply with a pen name, handle, or username, etc. Please enter your legal name.

Affiliation and Title

Please enter your company name, department name, position, etc.

E-mail address*

Responses and confirmations to your application will be sent to the email address you provide here.

Please confirm your E-mail address:*

Phone Number*

Please enter a phone number (preferably a mobile phone number) where the applicant can be contacted during weekdays regular business hours and during the operation of the event.

Phone

Name of the corporate entity or organization name requesting the license in the following format:*

Name

Address 1

Address 2

City, State/Province, Zip Code, Country

Is the operation of the game tournament outsourced to a corporate entity or organization different from the organizer?*

Yes

Please list the name and address of the organization responsible for the operation of the tournament in the following format:*

Name

Address 1

Address 2

City, State/Province, Zip Code, Country

Purpose of the corporate entity or organization hosting the game tournament*

Please briefly enter the main business of the corporate entity or the purpose of the organization / club that is hosting the game tournament.

Corporate examples: IT consulting business, food manufacturing and sales, etc.

Organization examples: Gaming club, etc.

Website/Social Media*

Please provide the URL of the website and/or social media accounts where the game tournament will be announced.

Will the event be livestreamed?*

Yes

Link to livestream

Please provide the URL of the livestreaming location.

Prize Pool Details*

Please list the amount of your total Prize Pool and how much (or percentage of the pool) is being awarded to eligible players. If not applicable, please write "N/A".

Tournament License Terms & Conditions and Licensed Tournament Guidelines

If your Licensed Tournament application is approved, you and the Licensed Tournament will be required to comply with the Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines.

Please read, and familiarize yourself with, the Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines before submitting the application. If you do not agree to the Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines, do not submit an application for a Licensed Tournament.

Note: If the operation of the game tournament is outsourced to a corporate entity or organization, you are responsible for ensuring that the corporate entity or organization also complies with the Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines.

The Tournament License Terms & Conditions and Licensed Tournament Guidelines are below:

Tournament License Terms & Conditions

If your application to host a game tournament involving a game for which Nintendo owns the copyright is approved (“Licensed Tournament”), an approved License Term Sheet and a Nintendo license number will be sent to the email specified in your Licensed Tournament application. It is up to Nintendo’s sole discretion, whether or not a license will be granted to you. If your application for a Licensed Tournament is approved, the following terms and conditions apply:

Nintendo grants Organizer a limited license to use the Game for the Licensed Tournament. This license is limited to the Organizer, Game, and Licensed Tournament specified in the approved License Term Sheet. This license is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the approved License Term Sheet and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines below. Nintendo is providing this license without any representations or warranties of any kind. This license will expire on the Tournament End Date specified in the approved License Term Sheet and Nintendo may revoke this license at any time. Organizer may not assign, delegate, or sublicense this license to any other party, provided that a different corporate entity or organization may operate the Tournament if specified in the approved License Term Sheet. Any use of Nintendo Games or intellectual property therein other than as specifically authorized in this Tournament License, the License Term Sheet, and Licensed Tournament Guidelines, is strictly prohibited and will terminate the license granted herein. Such unauthorized use may also violate applicable laws, including without limitation copyright and trademark laws and applicable communications regulations and statutes. Nintendo reserves all rights not expressly granted herein.

Organizer shall comply with, and shall cause the Licensed Tournament to comply with, these Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines below. If the operation of the game tournament is outsourced to a corporate entity or organization, Organizer is responsible for ensuring that the corporate entity or organization also complies with the Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines. Organizer and shall be solely responsible for all aspects of the Licensed Tournament, including, without limitation, the execution, operation, administration, and promotion of the Licensed Tournaments. If Nintendo or its affiliated companies are subject to any actual or threatened claims, costs, damages, losses, or other liabilities (collectively, "Covered Losses") as a result of or in connection with the Licensed Tournament or Organizer’s or Licensed Tournament participant’s use of the Nintendo Games, then Organizer shall indemnify Nintendo and its affiliated companies from all such Covered Losses and any related costs, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

This license shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Any action or proceeding arising from or relating to this license must be brought in Seattle, Washington, and Organizer irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction and venue of any such court in any such action or proceeding. If any part of these Tournament License Terms & Conditions is determined to be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then that part will be severed, and the rest will remain intact. These Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines may be updated by Nintendo from time to time. Accordingly, Organizer is encouraged to check for updates regularly.

Licensed Tournament Guidelines

Thank you for sharing your passion for Nintendo’s games, characters, and worlds. Nintendo cares about the community and would like to support individuals who want to celebrate that passion by creating memorable cooperative and competitive play experiences. At the same time, we want to ensure that fans who are doing so are engaging with our games, characters, and worlds in a way that positively supports other fans, players, and Nintendo.

In that spirit, we have created guidelines for corporate entities and organizations acting as tournament Organizers to follow when hosting Licensed Tournaments involving games for which Nintendo owns the copyright (Nintendo Games). Please familiarize yourself with the guidelines below before planning or announcing a Licensed Tournament.

Licensed Tournaments may only be hosted by a corporate entity or organization, or by an individual that outsources the operation of the Licensed Tournament to a corporate entity or organization (Organizer) for individuals participating in tournaments (Participants) and for individuals viewing tournaments (Spectators) provided that (a) the Organizer’s application for a Licensed Tournament has been approved by Nintendo, (b) the Organizer has received a License Term Sheet and Nintendo license number, and (c) these guidelines are followed:

The Licensed Tournament must not exceed the scale and scope outlined in these guidelines except when explicitly approved to do so per the terms of an approved License Term Sheet that Organizers will receive if the Licensed Tournament is approved by Nintendo

Licensed Tournaments may not generate commercial revenue except as permitted by these guidelines.

Tournaments may include up to 200 Participants for in-person tournaments or up to 300 Participants for online tournaments.

Organizers may collect entry fees from Participants in an amount not more than the equivalent of $20 (USD) per person.

Entry fees collected from Participants may be used for covering the costs of organizing the tournament and towards prizing.

Organizers may provide goods and services to Participants as prizes.

No prize may exceed a market value of $5,000 (USD) in total or include any of the following prohibited items: items that are illegal, offensive, or inappropriate; illegal products or services, or those that infringe on the rights of third parties’ items that are discriminatory or misleading, gambling-like services, information products such as virtual currency and data, political activities, or advertising of specific belief systems or ideologies; any items or services that may prevent the normal operation of our products or services or impair their safety; any activity that is damaging to Nintendo’s business or brand; goods or services provided by persons selling or advertising the above items or services; medicines or items that may affect your health or body; alcohol, cigarettes, and other age-restricted items; Nintendo products that have not launched in the region where the Licensed Tournament is taking place; products and services targeted for ages older than the age rating of the software used in the Licensed Tournament; weapons and imitation weapon. Note that even within the scope permitted by these guidelines, if there are other restrictions imposed by applicable laws on the provision of goods or the price limits for prizing, you must comply with the conditions of those restrictions.

The total value of cash prizing a single Organizer can offer through Licensed Tournaments in a 12-month period must be no more than the equivalent of $10,000 (USD).

For in-person Licensed Tournaments, Organizers may collect an admission fee from Spectators of not more than the equivalent of $15 (USD) per person.

Admission fees collected from Spectators must be used solely for the purpose of covering costs of organizing the tournament and not used towards prizing.

Collecting fees from Spectators for online Licensed Tournaments is not permitted under any circumstances.

Organizers collecting fees must publicly disclose all accounting related to the costs of hosting the event promptly, including entry fees, admission fees, and prizes distributed by posting them on a website and/or on social media accessible to everyone.

When hosting a Licensed Tournament, Organizers may not receive goods, services, money, etc., from third parties as sponsors except when explicitly approved to do so per the terms of the approved License Term Sheet.

If an Organizer is approved to receive goods, services, money, etc., from third parties as sponsors per the terms of the approved License Term Sheet, such approval is subject to any restrictions communicated to you by Nintendo.

Only with the prior consent from Participants, can Organizers monetize posting of videos, still images, etc. related to Licensed Tournaments on personal accounts in line with the Nintendo Game Content Guidelines for Online Video & Information Sharing Platforms. The total amount of revenue a single Organizer earns in a 12-month period through these activities should be no more than the equivalent of $10,000 USD.

The tournament may use Nintendo game footage or images under the following conditions:

Organizers may show footage of tournament gameplay at in-person Licensed Tournament venues for games officially launched by Nintendo.

Organizers may use captured footage or screenshots of Nintendo Games for any announcement materials of the Licensed Tournament so long as the game has officially launched.

The Licensed Tournament is not affiliated with Nintendo and makes no use of Nintendo trademarks or IP except as permitted by these guidelines:

Licensed Tournaments may state the tournament is licensed by Nintendo, but may not falsely imply Nintendo is associated with, sponsoring or otherwise affiliated with the event, and may not be presented as “official” or “endorsed” by Nintendo.

The names of Licensed Tournaments may not contain Nintendo trademarks or IP, such as Nintendo’s company name, logo, product or service names such as game titles, names adopted from Nintendo Games such as character names. This includes any shortened or modified uses of Nintendo trademarks or IP.

Other than referencing the game name to indicate which game is being played at the Licensed Tournament, Licensed Tournaments may not make use of Nintendo trademarks or IP, including logos and character art as a part of Licensed Tournament activity.

The games used must have been officially launched or service has officially begun in the region where the Licensed Tournament is taking place

Pirated or modified versions of Nintendo Games must not be used

Games with online play must use the online gameplay services and/or servers officially provided by Nintendo.

The Organizer posts the following notices on-site and on tournament websites and other promotional materials:

“Nintendo is not a sponsor of or affiliated with this tournament."

“Terms for participating in and viewing Licensed Tournaments using Nintendo Games” accompanied with the following URL:

https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63454

The Organizer adheres to the following additional stipulations:

Organizers are responsible for ensuring Licensed Tournaments comply with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to, protection of personal information for Participants and Spectators and appropriate parental consent for minors.

Organizers must ensure the health and safety of Participants and Spectators to the best of their ability.

For in-person Licensed Tournaments, Organizers must implement and maintain industry standard safety and security procedures, that will be strictly adhered to in connection with the Licensed Tournament. Such safety and security protocols shall comply with all applicable laws and best practices, guidelines and protocols, as well as venue guidelines. The Organizer is responsible for reviewing the safety and security protocols with venue management and local authorities and is responsible for ensuring full compliance with the safety security and security protocols throughout the duration of the Licensed Tournament.

Organizers will make full efforts to create a Licensed Tournament that is friendly and welcoming to all, and that fully respects the dignity of Participants and will not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind, including based on race, ethnicity, nationality, ideology, religion, belief, origin, social status, class, occupation, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

Organizers will not permit gambling or the use of alcohol or drugs at Licensed Tournaments.

Organizers will make sure that Participants and Spectators are of age according to the applicable age rating of the game used in the tournament.

For the use of any intellectual property rights owned by a third party, Organizers must obtain permission from those rights owners separately from these guidelines

In addition, Nintendo Games may not be used for Licensed Tournaments that:

Are illegal or inappropriately conducted, or could be viewed as offensive or otherwise inappropriate, including, but not limited to, tournaments that: violate laws or regulations; infringe on Nintendo's intellectual property right; uses a false license number; interfere with the proper operation or impair the safety of Nintendo's products or services; involve illegally copied or modified game software, game software produced using Nintendo's copyrighted material without Nintendo's authorization, or game software obtained illegally; involve cheating, cracking, unauthorized access, circumvention of technical restrictions, unauthorized modification, or use of objects, tools, or services that enable such cheating, cracking, unauthorized access, circumvention of technical restrictions, or unauthorized modification; use of game consoles, accessories, and software not licensed by Nintendo; use of video, images, sound sources, etc., that cannot be used in regular gameplay, extracted through game software via data mining or other methods; or otherwise violate Nintendo’s Licensed Tournament Guidelines

Fail to protect the health, safety and dignity of Participants and Spectators

Have sponsors or that advertise or promote any entity, products or services

Promote any campaigns or initiatives based on personal or organized opinions, ideologies, or beliefs

Include anything that damages the value of the Nintendo brand and Intellectual Property

Fail to follow these guidelines

Involve anything that Nintendo deems inappropriate

Nintendo reserves the right to take legal action against or cancel any Licensed Tournaments in its sole discretion, including any tournaments that violate or are likely to violate these guidelines, or Licensed Tournaments that Nintendo otherwise deems inappropriate. In addition, we may take measures such as prohibiting individuals, corporate entities or organizations that violate these guidelines, or engage in other inappropriate acts, from hosting tournaments in the future.

Nintendo is not responsible for any problems that may arise between Organizers, Participants, Spectators, or third parties regarding the operation of the Licensed Tournament. In addition, please be advised that Nintendo will not respond to individual inquiries regarding the guidelines.

We may update these guidelines and Q&A from time to time, so please check the latest guidelines and Q&A before announcing and conducting a Licensed Tournament.

If there are special provisions in other Nintendo guidelines applicable to the Licensed Tournament, please follow those guidelines as well.

By checking this box, I agree to the Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines. If the Organizer is a corporate entity or organization, I am agreeing to the Tournament License Terms & Conditions and the Licensed Tournament Guidelines on behalf of the corporate entity or organization, and I represent that I have the authority to do so on behalf corporate entity or organization.*

Applying for exceptions to the Licensed Tournament Guidelines

The guidelines allow a maximum of 300 participants for online tournaments and 200 participants for in-person tournaments.

Please check this box if you are applying for an exception to the guidelines regarding the number of participants

Participant Note:*

If you wish to hold a game tournament with a number of participants exceeding those limits, please indicate the maximum number of participants you expect or the player cap for the tournament, whichever is larger.

The guidelines require that the entry fee collected from participants be no more than the equivalent of $20 USD per person and that the collected entry fee may be used to cover the costs required to set up the tournament and towards prizing.

Please check this box if you are applying for an exception to the guidelines regarding the entry fee

Entry Fee Note:*

If it is necessary to collect an entry fee of more than the equivalent of $20 USD per person, please state the amount and reason.

The guidelines require that admission fees for spectators collected at offline tournaments be no more than the equivalent of $15 USD per person and that the collected admission fees should be solely used to cover the costs required to set up the tournament.

Please check this box if you are applying for an exception to the guidelines regarding the admission fee

Admission Fee Note:*

If collecting an admission fee of more than $15 USD per person is necessary, please state the amount and reason.

Spectator admission fees collected may only be used for covering the tournament setup cost.

The guidelines do not permit sponsorships at tournaments.

Please check this box if you are applying for an exception to the guidelines regarding sponsorships

Sponsorships Note:*

If sponsorships are planned for this tournament, please explain the reason for sponsorships and please list any planned sponsors along with the value of the sponsorships, including the total prize pool for your tournament.

Please check this box if you are applying for any other changes to the guidelines

Please explain what is driving the requested change:*

If you wish to request changes to regulations other than the number of participants, entry fees, and admission fees stipulated in the guidelines, please provide specific details and reasons in the space below.

Sample:

I would like to receive items or equipment that are necessary for tournament operation from a third party.

Final Confirmation

Please double-check the accuracy of your application.

If your game tournament is approved, a license number will be assigned.

The license number must be clearly displayed when holding the game tournament.

Nintendo will endeavor to respond in a timely manner, but response times may vary depending on the volume and complexity of application submissions.

All events must adhere to Nintendo of America's Restricted Sponsor List. Organizers will be provided a copy of the Restricted Sponsor List list upon submitting an application.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

By checking this box, I certify that the above information is accurate and complete*

Nintendo will only use the information provided in this application in connection with your application. For more information about how we may use the information provided, please refer to our privacy policy on the lower left side of this page.

We recommend checking the "Send me a copy of my responses" box below so you may retain a copy of your application.

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