2026 Rules of Participation

Eligibility:

• Entries must be works that have been released, published or broadcast in a commercial environment and have been approved by the client, with a release date between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026.

• All entries must be submitted in the original form in which they were actually released, published or broadcast, including logos, trademarks and all word marks.

• If the jury questions the eligibility of an entry, the participating company must provide additional supporting documents to confirm its eligibility.

• If any tampering of the work or case film is found, the award already granted will be publicly revoked and the entrant will be disqualified from the award.

• Any work created specifically for the sole purpose of participating in this tournament is ineligible.

• Entries that do not meet the eligibility or rules will be withdrawn or disqualified without refund.

Entries are open to all companies and individuals involved in the creative process. Given that the majority of entries are collaborative, LIA Any company or individual involved in the partnership is allowed to submit that entry. The rules regarding multi-party entries are as follows:

• Each entry fee corresponds to one participating company and one city only.
• If multiple firms and/or cities are listed in the Entry Firm field, additional fees will be incurred and LIA will invoice the submitting firm for the difference accordingly.
• If an entry qualifies for a trophy and more than one company and/or city is listed in the Entry Company field, only one trophy will be sent free of charge to the company registered in the LIA Entry System.
• Any company or individual listed in the Creative Commons can purchase additional trophies separately through the online store.

Norms for the use of AI

• Creative Works: If AI is used in an advertising work, it will be considered ethical and fair provided that the entrant clearly declares the use of AI, that it is carried out with substantial human supervision, and that it avoids misleading or biased content.
• CASE FILM: AI may not be used to tamper with images or reconstruct inaccurate data. If the Organizer suspects such cases, it will check with the participating companies; if the violation is confirmed, the entry will be disqualified.

Creative Credits and Media Changes

• All creative attributions must be completed before final submission. If a field is not applicable, it should be left blank (no crosses, N/A, etc.).
• Double-check byline information before final submission. Of The Year points are awarded based on the creative byline provided at the time of submission, and LIA does not assign points based on the "submitting company" field.
• A fee of $250 per entry will be charged for any changes, additions, or deletions of attribution information after final submission.
• A fee of $500 per entry will be charged if an entrant requests a change of material after the entry has been processed, reviewed and locked for judging.

When Entering a Case Study

• The case study must clearly demonstrate a practical application scenario for the work, illustrating the concept and core creative expression.
• Must not exceed 3 minutes.
• The narration must be in Chinese or accompanied by Chinese subtitles.
• All uploaded material must not contain company names or personal creative attribution information. All judging will be done without regard to the identity of the participating companies, networks, countries, regions or participants.
• The winning material may be displayed in LIA-related media, including but not limited to websites and self-publishing platform accounts, unless the entrant expressly informs the organizer at the time of submission that the material may not be publicly displayed.
• No substitutions of material are permitted once judging has begun.
• Case films must use Royalty-Free Music (RFM).

Legal Indemnification for Music

• If music is used in the entry, case film or presentation video, it must be royalty-free or licensed. By submitting an entry containing music, the entrant acknowledges, warrants and declares that he/she owns the legal right to use the music from the moment of submission and in perpetuity, and that the music may be used on LIA's website or self-publishing accounts in the event that the entry is selected as a finalist or winner.
• Entrant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless LIA, its successors, assigns, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and its officers, employees and agents from and against any liabilities, claims, demands, losses and/or damages, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and costs of litigation, arising out of any breach of any of the foregoing representations, warranties or agreements. This includes, but is not limited to, any liability, claim, demand, loss or damage arising out of the submission or use of non-royalty-free or unauthorized music.
• LIA shall have the right, in its sole discretion and without limitation, to recover from the entrant all costs (including, but not limited to, legal fees and attorneys' fees) paid or incurred by the entrant in responding to, defending, negotiating, or disposing of any claim, demand, or proceeding that is inconsistent with any of the entrant's representations or warranties. Entrant shall reimburse LIA for all amounts paid by LIA in connection with any such claim, demand or proceeding upon notice.

These are the 2026 LIA Entry Rules, if you have any questions, please contact LIA officials.