Online Contest Laws - Necessary, or not?

[kerer99]

Sorry, don't know which category to post this topic under.

I want to hold a contest on my website. It'll be pretty simple: tell us what you think about our website, and you could win $100. So, a user would fill out a form, and their name would go into a database. Then, on a pre-determined date, a draw would be held where somebody would be chosen as a winner of the $100. Simple enough.

Or is it? For a contest like this, is it necessary (or even just a good idea) to hire a lawyer to write a rules and regulations write-up? Can you just hold a contest online without making it a big deal? Of course, I want to protect myself, but I don't want to shell out $800 to a lawyer for a contest that's prize is $100.

Has anybody ever held an online contest? ANY insight would be greatly appreciated.

[Spectur]

Get a lawyer.

In this day and age there are to many people who are 'Sue' happy. I would recommended it then make the user click a check box stating the understand and agree witht rule of the contest.

My Motto: " Better safe then sorry..."

Just do a little cya now will save lots of trouble later..