OFFICIAL LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The Signature Food Fest 5th Edition (2026) — (hereinafter the “Event”) is an exclusive and proprietary intellectual property entirely conceptualized, owned, and administered by MediaCraft Marketing (a subsidiary of AACFS Craft). All creative, operational, visual, structural, digital, and strategic components are protected under applicable national and international intellectual property, commercial, and cyber-law statutes.

Any attempt to replicate, imitate, forge, adapt, exploit, or unlawfully reference any component of the Event shall constitute actionable infringement. Enforcement shall be pursued to the fullest civil and criminal extent permissible by law.

Absolute Organizer Authority

The Organizer maintains sovereign discretion to:

• modify, restructure, or adjust the Event without explanation;

• alter judging criteria, rules, and recognition systems;

• disqualify, suspend, or refuse participation to any individual or entity;

• terminate involvement immediately based on conduct, ethics, or reputational risk;

• publicly address violations.

All rulings are final, absolute, binding, and uncontestable.

Judicial Escalation & Criminal Proceedings

Violations deemed malicious, fraudulent, defamatory, or intentionally damaging may be escalated to:

• local and federal enforcement agencies,

• cybercrime bureaus,

• commercial protection units.

Criminal prosecution may apply for:

• data theft,

• forged documentation,

• cyber interference,

• intellectual property piracy,

• harassment or smear campaigns.

Blacklisting Protocol

The Organizer reserves the right to:

• permanently blacklist any violator,

• revoke future eligibility,

• distribute non-participation notices to partnered institutions.

This may include:

• venue operators,

• media outlets,

• hotel and F&B associations,

• festival alliances.

Blacklisting may be indefinite and irreversible.

Multi-Year Participation Ban

Any individual or entity found guilty of:

• defamation,

• sabotage,

• disruption,

• brand dilution,
  may incur a multi-year prohibition, with duration determined solely by the Organizer.

Trademark Retaliation & Enforcement

Any attempt to:

• imitate Event naming conventions,

• mimic branding trade-dress,

• confuse public perception,
  will trigger trademark retaliation measures, including:

• injunction filings,

• domain takedowns,

• seizure of counterfeit materials.

Arbitration Priority Clause

In the event of a legal dispute:

• arbitration shall supersede litigation,

• arbitration venue, arbitrators, and procedures shall be selected solely by the Organizer,

• arbitration rulings shall be final and enforceable.

Participants waive the right to pursue class actions, joint suits, or collective litigations.

Legal Jurisdiction Override

All disputes, claims, and interpretations shall be governed under:

• the laws and judicial authority of the Event’s registered region.

Participants waive claims of conflict-of-law provisions across foreign jurisdictions.

Civil Damages & Asset Seizure Clause

Should a participant or entity cause:

• measurable financial damage,

• reputational harm,

• operational disruption,
  the Organizer reserves the right to pursue:

• civil damages,

• garnishment orders,

• seizure of illegally-produced merchandise,

• compensation recovery including legal fees.

Non-Disparagement Enforcement

No entity may publicly or privately:

• defame,

• threaten,

• slander,

• ridicule,

• undermine,
  the Event, its judges, sponsors, or Organizer.

Violations may lead to:

• immediate disqualification,

• permanent ban,

• legal pursuit for damages.

This includes:

• social media,

• digital forums,

• group chats,

• private messaging platforms.

Screenshots are admissible.

Digital Integrity & AI Restrictions

Participants are prohibited from:

• using Event media for machine learning datasets,

• generating AI replicas of Event branding,

• synthesizing likenesses of judges or official figures.

Enforcement will include:

• DMCA notices,

• platform takedowns,

• intellectual property seizure.

Confidentiality Penalties

Unauthorized disclosure of:

• program logistics,

• scoring frameworks,

• vendor lists,

• sponsor strategies,
  constitutes trade secret violation.
  Penalties may include:

• injunction,

• damages,

• legal cost recovery.

Ambush Marketing Retaliation

Any brand performing:

• unapproved activations,

• guerilla publicity operations,

• product placement inside the Event corridor,
  may be fined, removed, and permanently banned.

Force Majeure Sovereignty Expansion

The Organizer shall not be liable for:

• natural disasters,

• pandemics,

• war or military action,

• digital infrastructure collapse,

• political shutdowns,

• venue denial,

• civil unrest,

• cyber warfare.

The Organizer retains the right to:

• cancel,

• modify,

• relocate,
  without compensation obligation.

Termination Without Liability

Should termination occur, participants agree that:

• no refunds,

• no damages,

• no claims for lost profit,
  will be entertained.

Amendment Supremacy Clause

The Organizer reserves the sovereign right to revise, expand, or supersede this Disclaimer at any time, without notice.
Continued involvement constitutes immediate acceptance.