Pirelli Relativity Challenge

The Pirelli INTERNETional Award, the first Internet Multimedia Award - Introduction by President Marco Tronchetti Provera

Pirelli Relativity Challenge 2005

Rules

A special award to mark the centenary of the publication of the Special Relativity Theory

It has been almost a century since the Special Relativity Theory was first published by Albert Einstein in 1905. Yet despite its age the theory remains the intellectual domain of the trained physicist.

Although its low popularity among laypersons and non-scientists is no doubt due to its inherent complexity, we suspect that a failure in communication may be partly responsible.

Thus, as part of the World Year of Physics 2005, the Pirelli Internetional Award launches the Pirelli Relativity Challenge. An award for the best multimedia work that explains special relativity theory to the layperson.

The philosophy of the Award is that the effective communication of science is as important as the underlying science itself. This challenge seeks to promote this philosophy by simplifying and demystifying one of science's most complex theories.

Application form

1. Submissions must be interactive multimedia presentations -in about five minutes- of Einstein’s Special Relativity Theory (hereinafter referred to as the “Works”), for example, a Flash (.swf) animation by means of Macromedia tools. The Pirelli Internetional Award Technical Committee is available for any clarification and advice.

2. Submissions must be sent by FTP as detailed in our application form and FAQ or by e-mail attachment before September 15, 2005 to the address listed in our contact page.

3. The Jury will be formed by a reknown physicist, a famous scientific journalist, an unknown young student, a representative of industry, and a representative of the 'net economy.

4. The award consists of 25,000 euro (approx. US$ 30,000), given to the winner in occasion of a special Award Ceremony, which will be held in Rome, Italy in late 2005.

5. Pirelli & C. S.p.A. agrees that exclusive copyright over the Works shall remain the sole property of the authors (hereinafter referred to as “Authors”) at all times.

6. Subject to provision under item “5” above, the Authors grant to Pirelli Internetional Award, through Pirelli & C. S.p.A, the unconditional right to publish, reproduce and distribute, in whole or part, for non-commercial purposes only, the Works through any media which Pirelli & C. S.p.A. deems fit. Such media may include newspaper, magazines, audio cassette, CD ROMs, DVDs, the world wide web (or other electronic forms of distribution).

7. In case of any inconsistency between provisions of these “Rules” and general provisions of “Pirelli Internetional Award Rules”, provisions of these Rules shall prevail. It is further understood the provisions of “Pirelli Internetional Award Rules” shall apply with reference to any matter which is not expressly governed by these Rules.