Sweepstakes' sponsors must know the rules

Last month, we focused on the importance of sweepstakes rules to a successful promotion. Despite the small print and the legalese, the rules form a binding contract between the sponsor of the sweepstakes and the entrant. Drafted properly, the rules will give the sponsor the flexibility to handle issues that may come up in the life of the promotion. But how should the rules be drafted and what should they include? While I cannot cover everything in this column, and rules should be reviewed by a professional, here are some things to consider.