These terms and conditions govern your submission of an idea, concept, suggestion, data or information (each, an "Idea") to Altria Client Services LLC and any of its affiliated or related companies (collectively, "Altria") for consideration. Please click the "Accept” button below only if you have carefully read, understand, and agree to these terms and conditions. You must agree to these terms and conditions to submit your Idea. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, do not click the “Accept” button or attempt to submit your Idea. By agreeing to these terms and conditions and submitting your Idea, you warrant, represent, acknowledge and agree as follows (the “Agreement”):
Idea Evaluation
Altria and its third party service providers (“Designees”) acting on Altria’s behalf may evaluate your Idea submission
No Assignment of IP Rights
You are not assigning any patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property or proprietary rights in or to your Idea to Altria or Altria Designees by virtue of submitting your Idea or accepting these terms and conditions.
No Confidential Relationship
Your Idea submission is not confidential and does not create a confidential relationship between you and Altria or its Designees with respect to your Idea or any materials you submit, whether or not such materials are marked “confidential”, “proprietary”, or include any other notice or warning in an attempt to restrict or limit their use or disclosure. Altria does not want to receive confidential or proprietary information and Altria and its Designees are under no obligation to hold your Idea submission in confidence or to not disclose it to third parties. You will not submit any confidential or proprietary information to Altria or its Designees. YOU WAIVE AND RELEASE ALTRIA AND ITS DESIGNEES FROM ANY CLAIMS FOR THEIR EVALUATION OF YOUR IDEA.
Independent Creation by Altria
You acknowledge that Altria may have already independently developed, may be in the process of developing, or may develop at a future date ideas and concepts similar to your Idea, and YOU WAIVE AND RELEASE ALTRIA FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS BASED UPON THE SIMILARITY OF SUCH IDEAS OR CONCEPTS.
Ownership of Submission
You own all right, title and interest in your Idea, including without limitation under any intellectual property rights, and are not aware that your Idea is owned or claimed to be owned by a third party or that it infringes, misappropriates or violates the patent, trade secret, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property rights of any third party, including of your current or any former employer. You have no other agreements with or duties owed to third parties that apply to your Idea. There are no claims or disputes relating to your Idea.
Altria May Contact You
Altria and its Designees may contact you following receipt of your Idea submission. If Altria is interested in your Idea, Altria or its Designees may contact you regarding next steps. However, Altria is under no obligation to contact you with respect to your Idea nor is Altria required to return any submitted materials to you.
Age
You are at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
Protecting Your Idea
You are advised to consult legal counsel prior to submitting your Idea and to seek independent professional advice about obtaining intellectual property protection for your Idea. You acknowledge that Altria and Altria Designees are not providing you with any legal or other advice in relation to your Idea.
No Compensation
Unless otherwise agreed in a separate written agreement, you will not be compensated for your Idea submission. Altria is under no obligation to enter into any other agreement with you regarding your Idea.
No Implied Agency Relationship
No joint venture, partnership, agency, or employment relationship exists between Altria and you by virtue of your submission of your Idea or entering into this Agreement.
Entire Agreement
You agree that this Agreement constitutes the whole and only agreement between you and Altria and supersedes any prior agreements, arrangements or understandings regarding your Idea. This Agreement may only be modified or amended by a written document that specifically references this Agreement and is signed by you and an authorized officer of Altria.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
Your Idea is deemed to be submitted to Altria in Richmond, Virginia of the United States. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. For the adjudication of any disputes arising under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in (a) the General District Court and Circuit Court of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Henrico County and (b) the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division.
