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Frequently Asked Questions
General
Contests
Parents
Teachers
General
What is "BKFK"?
What is an Idea Locker?
How do I create my Idea Locker?
I forgot my username. How
do I retrieve it?
I forgot my password. How
do I retrieve it?
How do I change my password?
Can I change my username?
How do I create a new idea?
Do I have to sign up to create
ideas?
What are tags? How
should I add tags to my ideas?
Is there a limit on
how many ideas I can create?
I am entering the answers for the idea questions in my locker. It doesn't let me
type after I am half way through. What do I do?
How do I report abuse?
Why can’t I
share my ideas without my parent’s permission?
What do I do if my parent(s) do not receive the email about my sharing my ideas
in my locker?
Will my information stay
confidential?
What if I don't have an email
address?
Have young people
really invented serious inventions?
What makes BKFK unique from other companies that represent inventors?
Are there any fees to use the web site, or submit ideas, or participate in
competitions?
How can
I get regular updates of the website or newsletters?
If I share my ideas publicly how can I be sure no one will take my ideas for
themselves?
I have more questions and feedback for the website. How do I contact BKFK?
What is "BKFK"?
BKFK is a company entirely dedicated to inspiring the innovative spirit within
every teen. BKFK inspires young innovators to create and share their ideas. They
can also enter their ideas in various competitions to win amazing prizes with
big time innovators. BKFK also transforms outstanding ideas into commercial
products where the young people earn self esteem, business experience and
royalties. BKFK represents some of the most brilliant young minds in America.
What is an Idea Locker?
The Idea Locker, powered by BKFK, is a private online space where teens can
create, develop, store and share their ideas. Teens can also use Idea Locker to
collaborate and share ideas with other members of the website’s community if
they choose.
How do I create my Idea Locker?
You can go to bkfk.com and register by clicking on the “join now” button. This
is a free registration. Once you register you get your private online Idea
Locker, and you can start creating and storing ideas.
I forgot my username. How
do I retrieve it?
You can email
support@bkfk.com if you forget your username. Be sure to include your email
address that you used to open your account and we can send you your username and
a temporary password that you can easily change.
I forgot my password. How
do I retrieve it?
Click the link that says forgot password in the sign in box and fill in your
username and email.
How do I change my password?
Go to you’re My Profile in your locker and select the Account Info tab to change
your password.
Can I change my username?
No, you cannot! You can however create a new account with a new username with a
different email address than the one you’ve already used.
How do I create a new idea?
Select “new idea” in your locker and start filling up details and post images
and audio/video for your ideas.
Do I have to sign up to create
ideas?
Yes, you cannot create ideas until you register and open an idea locker.
What are tags? How
should I add tags to my ideas?
Tags are keywords that will help other innovators to easily find you and your
ideas. For example, if your idea is for a new piece of football equipment, it
might help to add “Football”, “Sports” and “Outdoor Games” as keyword tags. You
can add tags when you start a new idea; If you want to change or add more tags
to your idea, you can also add them later by clicking on the stored idea itself.
Is there a limit on
how many ideas I can create?
There’s no limit to your imagination and you can create and store unlimited
ideas in your locker.
I am entering the answers for the idea questions in my locker. It doesn't let me
type after I am half way through. What do I do?
We know you have a lot to tell but we'd like your answers to be short and sweet.
The Q & A are for your friends and for us to get an idea of what your idea is
about. Each answer is limited to 500 characters only. You can always upload more
detailed information through the media upload tab.
How do I report abuse?
If you see inappropriate content such as photos, you can report to us by
clicking the “Report Abuse” link in the bottom right when you view someone’s
profile. Your valid reports can help you and your friends stay safe online! All
abuse reports are investigated by Idea Locker and are kept strictly
confidential.
Why can’t I
share my ideas without my parent’s permission?
Because your parents own your intellectual property until you are a legal adult
at the age of 18. Also, we will collect personally identifiable information
about you in connection with your activities on our site, and the law requires
us to get your parents’ permission first. We are committed to ensuring your
safety, in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
What do I do if my parent(s) do not receive the email to grant permission for me
to share my ideas in Idea Locker?
Try again, you may have typed in their email address incorrectly; ask them for
help signing up so they can watch the process; if you still experience problems,
contact us at info@bkfk.com
Will my information stay
confidential?
Yes. Please view our privacy statement.
What if I don't have an email
address?
If your family has an email address, you can use that one. Your email address
can be the same as your parent or guardian email address. The other thing you
might consider is setting up a free email account at one of the various
providers like yahoo or hotmail. This is really a personal decision and not a
recommendation by BKFK.
Have young people
really invented serious products?
Yes! Inventions that you use EVERY DAY were invented by young people. Did you
know that the television was dreamed up by a 14 year old named Philo Farnsworth?
Blaise Pascal invented the calculator when he was 18. And Frank Epperson
invented the Popsicle at age 11. Jenga was invented by a teenager too!
What makes BKFK unique from other companies that represent inventors?
BKFK is the only company of its kind that represents teen inventors exclusively,
and only if their inventions are products/services for other kids. BKFK
represents and supports young people throughout the entire process, idea to
retail distribution, and assumes 100% of the financial risk.
Are there any fees to join BKFK and Idea Locker, use the web site, submit ideas,
or participate in competitions?
No. All activities on bkfk.com are completely free of charge.
How can I
get regular updates on the website and newsletters?
It's as easy as submitting your email address below.
If I share my ideas publicly how can I be sure no one will take my ideas for
themselves?
Please visit our “Terms of Use” section of the
website and specifically the section about ‘Non-confidential Submissions to the
site” and “Trade Secrets Law” where we address this question. This will help to
guide your decision. You may want to keep some ideas confidential or share them
only with trusted friends. It is an important decision and we encourage you to
discuss it with your parents/guardians. They will need to give you permission to
share your ideas.
I have more questions and feedback for the website. How do I contact BKFK?
Click here to contact us. You can send us
your feedback and any questions you have.
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Contests
Who can enter BKFK contests?
Can I enter more than 1 competition or more than 1 idea to each competition?
My parents already gave me permission to share my ideas in my locker, do they
need to give me permission again? Why?
Why do I need
my parents’ permission to enter contests?
My parents lost the permission request email. Can I resend it?
Who judges the
ideas and decides who the winner is?
When is the deadline for the
contests?
When do you announce the winners?
What are the prizes?
What is a connection to reality?
I’ve entered my idea, but want to make some changes to it again. Can I re-enter?
Who can enter BKFK contests?
BKFK Challenges are offered only to individuals who are legal residents of the
50 United States, District of Columbia, and United States territories and
possessions, between the ages of 5 and 19 (and have not graduated high school)
at the time an entry submission is actually submitted. For official rules of
individual contests, go to each of the individual
contest pages.
Can I enter more than 1 competition or more than 1 idea to each competition?
There is no limit on the number of entry submissions from any entrant, but each
must be submitted separately.
My parents already gave me permission to share my ideas in my locker, do they
need to give me permission again? Why?
Yes you will need permission for your parents again. Each contest has it’s own
set of rules and prizing. Although your parents have given you permission to
share your ideas with friends they must also agree to the rules of each
competition that you enter.
Why do I need
my parents’ permission to enter contests?
Because your parents own your intellectual property until you are a legal adult
(18). Also, we will collect personally identifiable information about you in
connection with your activities on our site, and the law requires us to get your
parents’ permission first. We are committed to ensuring your safety, in
accordance with our Privacy Policy.
My parents lost the permission request email. Can I resend it?
Yes, you can resend permission request for all ideas that are in
'waiting for approval' status. Here's what you can do:
1/ Go to the specific competition page. Make sure you are logged in first.
2/ Click on your "waiting for approval" idea.
3/ Select the Permissions tab in the window.
4/ Re-enter your parents' email address and hit submit
5/ Don't forget to ask your parents to check their email and follow the steps to
grant permission!
Who judges the
ideas and decides who the winner is?
There will be 3 phases of judging. A panel of BKFK/VIP & Industry Experts will
judge the ideas in the third phase. The top scoring 5 Finalists’ entries from
Phase 3 will be posted online at: www.bkfk.com
and consumers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Finalist
Entries. Voting is limited to one vote per day per person. The entrant who
submitted the overall top-scoring entry (Phase 3 judges score plus vote score),
and whose score is verified by the Sponsor, will be the potential Grand Prize
Winner. You can read more about judging in each competition’s rules.
When is the deadline for the
contests?
Submissions for Season 1 has closed. Submission deadline for Season 2 is June
30, 2008 at noon.
When do you announce the winners?
The potential Grand Prize Winner will be notified in a manner determined by
Sponsor in June 2008 for Season 1.
What are the prizes?
There will be one (1) Grand Prize Winner for each competition. Each winner will
receive: $10,000 in the form of a check; and a connection to reality. Please
check individual contest prizing for more details.
What is a connection to reality?
A connection to reality is a real time experience with a famous innovator across
every discipline. Each Grand Prize Winner for each competition will also win a
connection to reality.
I’ve entered my idea, but want to make some changes to it again. Can I re-enter?
Once your idea has been entered – it cannot be altered or modified in any way.
You may enter as many ideas as you like – but once you have submitted your
entry, it is locked. You may keep a ‘read only’ record in your locker – but must
start a new entry if you want to add or make changes to your idea.
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Parents
My child has an idea what do I do?
Can I set up my own Idea Locker?
How can
I keep track of my children’s activities in the site?
Can parents submit their ideas
too?
Will my teen's
information stay confidential?
What if my teen doesn't
have an email address?
Do you need my consent for my teen to join the site, share ideas and enter
competitions? Why?
I never received a
request that my child sent? What can I do?
By when
should my child enter the ongoing BKFK contests?
My child has an idea what do I do?
You can help your teen create an Idea Locker and share his or ideas and even
enter them in our on going contests to win prizes. BKFK will transform
outstanding ideas into commercial products if applicable.
Can I set up my own Idea Locker?
Certainly. You cannot submit your ideas to our contests but you can definitely
own a locker.
How can I
keep track of my children’s activities in the site?
If your child is under 13, you will be able to see who they are friends with,
read their ideas, messages and idea reviews, as well as you will have the right
to delete their ideas. For over 13, you will only be able to see their ideas.
Your children can also choose to request you to be a friend in their locker; in
that case you will have the same privileges as a friend does.
Can parents submit their ideas too?
Our target audience is teens and we do not accept ideas from adults at this
time. Our mission is to stimulate and motivate creativity and innovation in
teens and we do that through free resources available to teens, teachers, &
parents on our website. Although we do not have an adult partner who does the
same thing for adults we would suggest that you visit the United Inventors
Association website www.uiausa.org. There
you will find resources for adult inventors that may be of help to you.
Will my teen's information
stay confidential?
Yes. We are committed to ensuring your teen's safety, in accordance with our
privacy policy.
What if my teen doesn't
have an email address?
You can use your email address for your teen to communicate with us.
Do you need my consent for my teen to join the site, share ideas and enter
competitions? Why?
If your child is under 13 we need your consent for everything! Kids over 13 can
join our site and create their idea locker on their own but we do need your
consent for them to be able to share their ideas and enter competitions. Because
your teen’s intellectual property is in your care until he or she is a legal
adult. Also, we will collect personally identifiable information about your teen
in connection with his or her activities on our site, and the law requires us to
get your permission first. We are committed to ensuring your teen's safety, in
accordance with our privacy policy.
How can
I allow my teen to share ideas and enter competitions?
You will receive an email notification when your child submits a request to
share an idea or enter a competition. The email will give you 2 easy steps to
fill in your information and then to “accept” to allow your teen to share or
enter ideas.
What are the
parental permission steps for under 13?
We will need your consent for your under 13 to get an increased access to our
site, to share ideas and enter them. You will receive an email notification with
a printable form when your child submits a request for increased access to the
site and to share an idea. You will have to fill the form and fax it back to us.
If your child tries to enter an idea to a competition, you will receive an email
notification, and the email will give you 2 easy steps to fill in your
information and then to “accept” to allow your child to share or enter ideas.
I never received a
request that my child sent?
Check your email client's spam folder. Some spam protection programs are more
aggressive than others and the approval emails may have been recognized as spam.
If not, contact support@bkfk.com for help.
By when
should my child enter the ongoing BKFK contests?
We have four quarterly competitions each year. Submissions for Season 1 has
closed. Season 2 ends on June 30, 2008 at noon.
Return to Parents Home
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Teachers
Is there a
charge for the materials on the BKFK website?
Is it okay for me to make photo copies of the BKFK teacher materials?
Do my students need to get parental permission to use the BKFK website?
Can I act as a "Proxy Parent" to give my students permission to enter the
contests?
By when should
my students enter the BKFK competitions?
Can I set up my own Idea Locker?
Can I monitor my students’
idea lockers?
Is it
possible for me to sign up my whole class on the website?
Is there a
charge for the materials on the BKFK website?
All resources on the website are available for download and use FREE of charge.
Is it okay for me to make photo copies of the BKFK teacher materials?
Yes – absolutely. Many of the activities are set up to use as worksheet handouts
for your class.
Do my students need to get parental permission to use the BKFK website?
All of your students will need to have parental permission to share their ideas
with their friends. If they are 13 or over they will be able to set up their
“Idea Locker”, save their ideas and find friends. They will need to have
parental permission to share their ideas with their friends and ask for reviews
– this is done by email from the site. For students under 13, they will need
parental permission in order to find friends and share ideas - this permission
has to be done using the faxed permission form available through the student’s
“idea locker”. Finally, all students will need to have parental permission for
entry into any of our competitions. Each competition has separate rules and
therefore needs a separate permission – these are done by email through the
site.
Can I act as a "Proxy Parent" to give my students permission to enter the
contests?
Yes. You can act as a proxy parent but you will still need to collect permission
forms from parents. Click here to find
out how.
Can I set up my own Idea Locker?
Certainly – you might even use it as a sample to show your students.
Can I monitor my students’
Idea Lockers?
The Idea Lockers are set up as a place for students to store their ideas, talk
to friends, and share their ideas. Unless they choose to request you to be a
friend in their locker, you will not be able to monitor their lockers.
Is it
possible for me to sign up my whole class on the website?
Actually, each student will need to set up his/her own idea locker. They will
need to choose their username and password and they will have the ability to put
in a photo and set up their profile.
By when
should my students enter the BKFK competitions?
We have four quarterly competitions each year. Submissions for Season 1 has
closed. Season 2 ends on June 30, 2008 at noon.
Return to Teachers Home
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