Terms of Service

These terms apply to the use of gycaawards.com (the "Site") operated by Global Young Create Awards (GYCA) ("GYCA") and to participation in competitions GYCA organises.

Each competition's call for entries (eligibility, categories, schedule, fees, submission format and retention policy) forms part of these terms. Where the two conflict, the call for entries prevails for that competition.

• You need an account to enter. You can sign up with email and password or with a Google, Microsoft, Facebook or Kakao account; a social sign-in with the same email is linked to your existing account.
• Account details must be accurate. You may not create an account with someone else's details or transfer or share your account.
• You are responsible for your password and signed-in sessions and must tell GYCA at once if you suspect misuse.
• Minors can complete an entry only with guardian consent as required by their local law. By consenting, the guardian also accepts these terms on the minor's behalf.

• Participants must meet each competition's eligibility rules (age, residence, category and so on). Entries made with false information may be excluded from judging and any award withdrawn.
• Submitted works must be the participant's own creation. Works that use others' copyrighted material, likeness or trademarks without permission, or that are plagiarised, are disqualified.
• Whether generative AI or similar tools may be used, and whether their use must be disclosed, is set by each call for entries.
• Entries and entry details cannot be changed after the deadline. Before the deadline you may withdraw an entry from My Page.
• GYCA may refuse entries that do not meet the submission format, that are corrupted, or that contain harmful or unlawful content.

• Fee amounts, currency and payment methods are shown in each call for entries. Payments are processed by our payment provider.
• An entry is complete when payment is confirmed. Until then it stays in 'submitted' status and is not judged.
• If you withdraw before the deadline the fee is refunded in full. After the deadline judging begins and fees are non-refundable, except that GYCA refunds in full if it cancels the competition or a payment error occurred.
• Refunds go back to the original payment method and may take 3 to 10 business days depending on the provider.

Copyright in a submitted work stays with the participant. GYCA does not acquire ownership of any work.

By entering, the participant grants GYCA a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to:

• reproduce and store the work for judging, eligibility checks and record keeping;
• for awarded or selected works only, display and reproduce the work with the participant's name and work details in exhibitions, catalogues, the website, social media and press materials.

The exact scope and duration of exhibition and promotional use is stated in each call for entries, and participants consent to it separately during entry. Commercial sale or any use beyond this scope is agreed with the participant individually.

• Judging is carried out blind by judges appointed by GYCA, using the criteria published in each call for entries.
• Results are announced on the Site and by email. Deliberations and individual scores are not disclosed. Appeals are accepted by email within 14 days of the announcement and only for clear eligibility or procedural errors.
• If ineligibility, plagiarism or false information comes to light after an award, GYCA may withdraw the award and require the return of any prize or certificate.

The following is prohibited and may lead to cancellation of entries and suspension or deletion of the account without notice:

• using another person's account or details, submitting false information, or entering more than once through multiple accounts;
• attempting to influence judges or staff improperly or to manipulate results;
• automated access, exploitation of vulnerabilities or excessive requests that disrupt the Site;
• harassment, hate speech or unlawful content directed at other participants or staff.

• GYCA is not liable for loss caused by events beyond its reasonable control such as natural disasters, network failures or outages at the payment or hosting provider. Where such an event prevented entries, GYCA takes reasonable remedial steps such as extending the deadline.
• GYCA may change or suspend the Site with prior notice; urgent security measures may be announced afterwards.
• If a participant's breach of these terms leads to a dispute with a third party, the participant is responsible and must compensate GYCA for any resulting loss.
• Nothing in this section limits liability for intent or gross negligence, or any liability that consumer law does not allow to be excluded.

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Korea. We try to resolve disputes by email first; failing that, the Seoul Central District Court has first-instance jurisdiction.

If you live outside Korea, nothing in this section limits the rights you have under the consumer protection laws of your country.

Changes are posted in the Site notices at least 7 days before they take effect, or 30 days for changes unfavourable to users. Continuing to use the service after that date means you accept the new terms. Competitions already under way remain subject to the terms and call for entries in force when you entered.

Contact: admin@gyca.org