A DESIGN AWARD - ONUR MUSTAK COBANLI adesignaward.com FAKE DESIGN AWARD - FRAUD COMPETITION - DON'T TRUST - DON'T PAY FOR AWARD Internet

This "award" is being advertised via spam: on December 26th, I received an EMail advertising a link on the domain associationofdesign.com, which redirected to the competition.adesignaward.com hostname (that type of "domain shell-game" is a common tactic for spammers attempting to avoid spam filters). Several of the details of the message are blatant lies: the EMail claims to be a "final reminder," when in fact no previous reminders had been sent. It also claims to be a response to our "application" - when I know for fact that we did not apply for the award.

The EMail was also sent to an address that is not listed publicly anywhere, except in the WHOIS information for domain names. So the people running the "award" are clearly either harvesting EMails from domain registrations (a violation of the terms of use for the WHOIS database), or they're buying addresses from people who compile lists of EMail addresses to sell to spammers. Either way, their EMail was sent in violation of federal anti-spam laws in the country where it was received (which require explicit opt-in consent from recipients). The EMail doesn't even contain an unsubscribe link, so it doesn't comply with the much more permissive US "CAN-SPAM" laws.

Having seen similar schemes like this in the past, I strongly suspect that everyone who enters will "win" - and the "prize" is that they'll generously offer you the opportunity to purchase a worthless trophy/certificate/media release/whatever.

This is very sad to see incorrect information posted here. The information posted in this page does not reflect the reality at all. I am the managing director of the company that organize the events. Our company, registered to Italian chamber of commerce in Como, owns all these domain names, because we developed the aforementioned websites, my name is listed as I am the contact listed for domain registrations as I am managing the platform, moreover, all of these websites are explicitly listed at the about us page of the event as our broadcasting network, we did not steal any names or domain names. The aforementioned event is a scientifically organized based on the research papers and guidelines by international design associations, and the jury members are real academics or business professionals confirming their participation.  This is not the first time the event has been organized, it has been previously organized many times with sponsorship and patronage from local and international institutions, the gallery pages at the website, the photos taken during the event, the published yearbook, the fact that winners are appearing in worldwide publications, are proof that the event is genuine and creating real value for participants.  I must also add that I find the post racist; my nationality should not effect any decisions or trust concerns regarding the event. The event, is officially run by an Italian legal entity, that is working in accordance with the Italian legislation, regularly paying taxes and passing controls. Please do not be effected by the post above, but please check the event yourself, and make your own judging. Thank You.