An organization that I belong to is having a contest for members only. The contest is a cute idea, and it has a really nice grand prize. Being all about the free stuff, I entered and noted what a good marketing idea this little contest is.

Then I read the rules.

At first, I had to believe this rule was included accidentally, as if it was put in as a joke to see if the legal department would catch it. It is rule #21 of 32, so I thought it's possible they just assumed no one would read this far along the document.

The rule, in all its hilarity:

If Canadian entrant is the winner of the Grand Prize or is selected in the XXX Gift Pack Prize drawing, he/she must correctly answer, without assistance of any kind, a mathematical skill-testing question within a specified time period.

What??

The contest, incidentally, has nothing to do with math skills. I mean, you could arrive at your contest choice by using a mathematical equation, but whether you know algebra, French, world history, or gymnastics should make no difference. So, I have no idea what this rule has to do with anything.

I searched the phrase and found this is actually a requirement for Canadian contests. About.com's resident "contests and sweepstakes" expert, Sandra Grauschopf, explains the ruling.

I have to say, I had no idea. I started out this post as a rant against discrimination in your marketing practices, and here I've learned something new! I should be saying instead to be sure to check out the legal requirements of your contests before making them public.