I may also remind our colonial cousins that a sonicwarp are based in the united kingdom, they are bound to the laws of the united kingdom. I do not know if in the USA companies are allowed to just change the rules as they see fit, but here in little old England, they are not.
first of all, there are rules regarding competitions. these rules are set out to stop people from being conned. one of the fundamental rules is that no purchase is necessary. this is why there was the free search. the option if you did not want to find a free isis was to purchase one. that is the route most people have taken. Now with the addition of a subscription, you have to buy a subscription. therefore a purchase is necessary.
second. to receive a prize, you should not have to pay a fee.... To be able to locate a pyramid to receive a prize, i now have to pay..
As far as the terms and conditions are concerned. To form a legally binding contract, the terms must be fair to both parties. Ant term which puts one party to a disadvantage is unfair. Thats why we have the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999...
4.1 We reserve the right to:
4.1.1 Modify or withdraw, temporarily or permanently, the Website (or any part of) with or without notice to you and you confirm that we shall not be liable to you or any third party for any modification to or withdrawal of the Website; and/or
this term would give sonicwarp the right to remove the website or parts of the website that make claiming a prize impossible. If they did, and effectively have with the new subscription section, would mean that a Isis puzzle you have is no longer fit for purpose and would be your right under the sale of goods act for a refund. The part where it says "shall not be liable to you or third party......"I believe is in breech of the Unfair terms in consumer contracts regulations 1999 in this context.
4.1.2 Change these Conditions from time to time and your continued use of the Website (or any part of) following such change shall be deemed to be your acceptance of such change. It is your responsibility to check regularly to determine whether the Conditions have been changed. If you do not agree to any change to the Conditions then you must immediately stop using the Website
This term will not stand up in any English or European court as fair, and without that term sonicwarp cannot alter the t&c without prior notice or acceptance.
also, in another point of law,(which i will keep to myself for now) i am not bound by the terms and conditions as published on this website.
I suggest that sonicwarp get a better legal department.
I have emailed sonicwarp regarding the return of my isis for a refund as it is no longer fit for purpose, but have yet to get a response.
sb.