2018 HEROES OF THE STORM® HEROES GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH AMERICA LEAGUE PHASE 1 OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 4 2. HEROES GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP - NORTH AMERICA LEAGUE ............................................... 4 2.1. Acceptance of the Official Rules. ................................................................................................. 4 2.2. Applicability of the Official Rules. ............................................................................................... 5 3. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................ 5 3.1. Regional Eligibility. ...................................................................................................................... 5 3.2. Residency Requirements. .............................................................................................................. 6 3.3. Minimum Age Requirements. ....................................................................................................... 7 3.4. Ineligible Players. .......................................................................................................................... 8 4. TEAM OWNERSHIP ................................................................................................................................ 8 4.1. Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 8 4.2. Requirements and verification of a Team Owner ......................................................................... 8 4.3. Slot placement ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 5. TEAM RULES AND REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................... 10 5.1. Participation in the North America League................................................................................. 10 5.2. Active Roster............................................................................................................................... 10 5.3. Roster Requirements. .................................................................................................................. 10 5.4. Roster Changes. .......................................................................................................................... 11 5.5. Team Name and Player BattleTags. ............................................................................................ 13 5.6. Team Replacement. ..................................................................................................................... 13 5.7. Designated Tournament Account. ............................................................................................... 13 6. STRUCTURE OF THE NORTH AMERICA LEAGUE ........................................................................ 14 6.1. League Date and Location. ......................................................................................................... 14 6.2. Qualification to the League. ........................................................................................................ 14 6.3. League Format. ........................................................................................................................... 15 6.4. Tournament Rules. ...................................................................................................................... 18 - i - 6.5. Prize Awards. .............................................................................................................................. 23 7. CONDUCT OF PLAYERS, COACHES AND MANAGERS ................................................................ 25 7.1. Behavior. ..................................................................................................................................... 25 7.2. Cheating. ..................................................................................................................................... 26 7.3. Illegal and Unethical Conduct. .................................................................................................... 26 7.4. Anti-Harassment. ........................................................................................................................ 27 7.5. Gambling. .................................................................................................................................... 27 7.6. Alcohol and Drugs. ..................................................................................................................... 28 7.7. Non-Disparagement. ................................................................................................................... 28 7.8. Interviews and the Media. ........................................................................................................... 28 7.9. Restricted Sponsorships. ............................................................................................................. 28 7.10. Disciplinary Action. .................................................................................................................... 29 8. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMERS ........................................................................ 31 8.1. Cap on Liability; No Punitive Damages. .................................................................................... 31 8.2. Disclaimers.................................................................................................................................. 32 8.3. Changes to Your Blizzard Account. ............................................................................................ 33 9. USE OF YOUR BRAND MATERIALS AND PERSONAL DATA ...................................................... 33 9.1. License to Use Your Brand Materials. ........................................................................................ 33 9.2. Advertising Materials. ................................................................................................................. 34 9.3. Ownership of Advertising Materials, Feedback, Stats and Suggestions. .................................... 34 9.4. Collection of Personal Data. ....................................................................................................... 35 10. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES ............................................................................................................... 36 10.1. Applicability................................................................................................................................ 36 10.2. Negotiations. ............................................................................................................................... 36 10.3. Binding Arbitration. .................................................................................................................... 36 10.4. Arbitration Procedures. ............................................................................................................... 37 10.5. Class and Collective Action Waiver. .......................................................................................... 37 - ii - 10.6. Location of Arbitration. .............................................................................................................. 38 10.7. Quebec residents. ........................................................................................................................ 38 10.8. Governing Law. .......................................................................................................................... 38 11. GENERAL (BUT IMPORTANT) TERMS AND CONDITIONS .......................................................... 39 11.1. Blizzard Copyrights and Trademarks. ......................................................................................... 39 11.2. Changes to Heroes of the Storm.................................................................................................. 39 11.3. Changes to these Official Rules. ................................................................................................. 39 11.4. No Employment Relationship. .................................................................................................... 40 11.5. Communications. ........................................................................................................................ 40 12. GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................. 40 - iii - 1. INTRODUCTION These 2018 Heroes Global Championship – North America League (“North America League”) Official Competition Rules, Terms and Conditions govern the grounds for and competitive play of Heroes of the Storm in the 2018 Heroes Global Championship – North America League. These Official Rules establish the rules of tournament play, including rules governing player eligibility, tournament structure, active rosters, managers and team ownership, prize awards, sponsorships and the conduct of players and other Team Members. These Official Rules also contain limitations of liability, license grants and other legally binding contract terms. You