SpeechMaze Terms

SpeechMaze is a speech competition for children ages 5 to 14, powered by TalkMaze Inc. ("TalkMaze", "we", "our", "us"). By registering a child for SpeechMaze, the parent or legal guardian agrees to these SpeechMaze-specific terms in addition to the general TalkMaze Terms of Service and SpeechMaze Privacy Notice. If anything in these SpeechMaze terms conflicts with the general TalkMaze terms, the SpeechMaze terms control for matters related to the competition.

Eligibility

SpeechMaze is open to children ages 5 to 14 as of November 7, 2026 (the date of the live final). The child's age on November 7, 2026 also determines their category: Ages 5 to 9, or Ages 10 to 14. A parent or legal guardian must complete the registration on the child's behalf and accept these terms.

Authorship and Use of AI Tools

Speeches must be written and delivered by the participating child in their own words. AI tools may be used for brainstorming topic ideas, researching facts, or running a spell or grammar check. The following are not permitted and will result in disqualification: AI-generated scripts read verbatim, AI-generated voiceovers, voice cloning, deepfaked video, or any submission in which the child is not the author and speaker. Judges and coaches are trained to recognize inauthentic delivery. By registering, the parent confirms the child's submission complies with this policy.

Recording, Name, Photo, and Video Release

By registering, the parent or legal guardian grants TalkMaze a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to record, reproduce, edit, publish, broadcast, and display the participant's speech, name, voice, photograph, and video for promotional, educational, marketing, and editorial purposes. This includes use on talkmaze.com, the TalkMaze and SpeechMaze social media channels, email communications, advertising, and partner platforms (for example, YouTube). This release covers both the Round 1 submission video and the Round 2 live final recording. No additional compensation will be paid for these uses.

If you do not wish to grant this release, your child cannot participate in SpeechMaze. Requests to remove a specific recording from public TalkMaze-controlled channels can be sent to hello@talkmaze.com and will be honored on a best-effort basis going forward.

Prizes and Shipping

Prizes are awarded at the sole discretion of TalkMaze and the judging panel. Prize values are stated in USD. Digital prizes (gift cards, free month of TalkMaze classes, certificates) are delivered electronically to the registered parent email.

If TalkMaze offers a physical prize in a given competition cycle, it will be shipped at no cost to addresses in the United States and Canada. For winners outside the US and Canada, TalkMaze will make a best-effort attempt to ship physical prizes internationally, but cannot guarantee delivery and is not responsible for customs duties, taxes, lost, delayed, or damaged shipments. Where international shipping is not feasible, TalkMaze may substitute an equivalent digital prize at its discretion.

Prizes are non-transferable, non-refundable, and have no cash equivalent unless explicitly stated. Failure to provide a valid shipping address within 30 days of being notified of a prize may result in forfeiture.

Competition Format and Changes

SpeechMaze runs in two rounds: a Round 1 video submission and a Round 2 live virtual final. Dates, format, judging criteria, and prizes are subject to change at TalkMaze's discretion. In the event of cancellation or postponement, TalkMaze will use commercially reasonable efforts to notify registered parents by email. TalkMaze is not liable for any costs incurred by participants or their families in connection with the competition.

Conduct and Disqualification

TalkMaze reserves the right to disqualify, without refund, any participant whose submission or behavior violates these terms, the TalkMaze Terms of Service, applicable law, or basic standards of respect and safety. Reasons for disqualification include but are not limited to: plagiarism, AI-authored speeches, hate speech, harassment, false information in registration, or interference with the competition.

Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, TalkMaze's liability arising out of or related to SpeechMaze is limited as set out in the TalkMaze Terms of Service. Participation in SpeechMaze is voluntary.

Contact

Questions about these terms or SpeechMaze: hello@talkmaze.com.