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The TOP 5 of Frequently Asked Questions

Why must the Company pay after having received and read the Proposals?

The main reasons are as follow:

• The Companies that do not pay do not have any rights to the Proposals;
• If the Company does not pay, the Request and the related Proposals will be posted on the Site (except for the Proposals of the Problem Solvers that do not give their consent) and are accessible by everyone (also by their direct competitors). If the Problem Solver communicates they don’t want their Proposal published, Full Out will not post it. The name of the Company that has posted the Request will however not be made public (it remain confidential);
• The Company Feedback starts to get worse, decreasing the probability of receiving interesting Proposals in the successive Requests;

How is manage the Intellectual Property Transfer?

The Company can select two type of Intellectual Property Trasfer:

• All Rights;
• Non exclusive license.

Should the Proposal be rejected, the Problem Solver maintains all their rights on the Proposals posted.

What are the “Communication Rules”?

Any communication between the Company and the Problem Solver shall be exclusively through the WorkSpace until the Company pays the Total Reward (with Easy option) or Fullout’s Commission (with Advanced option). After that, the Company and Problem Solver can communicate directly using tools other than WorkSpace and via face to face contact.
Any type of communication or disclosure aimed at facilitating direct contact between the parties is strictly forbidden. No Request or Proposal or any other type of message delivered to the counter party shall contain any reference or details that may enable direct exchange of communication via channels other than WorkSpace. Disclosure of the following information is forbidden (this list is provided only as an example):

• telephone number
• name
• last name
• usernames/nicknames used in this or other Sites
• company name
• address
• country: specify only the Country of residence of the company, without adding any further geographical details -such as Northern Italy, Central France or West Germany;
• other disclosures which may facilitate the identification of the counter party.

Should the Company fail to abide by the provisions of these Rules, the Company shall be required to pay Full Out an amount equal to the Total Reward.
Should the Problem Solver fail to abide by the provisions of these Rules, they shall be required to pay Full Out an amount equal to the Award.

What is the Easy option?

With the ‘Easy’ option the Problem Solver sends the Solution Proposal(s) within the Deadline. Based on the information received across the WorkSpace the company has a period of 15 days in which to choose the Best Proposal, if there is one.

What is the Advanced option?

With the “Advanced” option the Problem Solvers send the Solution Proposals within the Deadline. Based on the information received through the WorkSpace the Company has a period of 15 days to choose which Proposal they wish to further investigate. Within 15 days the Company must pay Fullout’s Commission to receive details of the selected Problem Solvers. Thereafter the Company can directly contact the Problem Solver, meet face to face or ask for material to be sent.

ALL FAQs

Can anyone post a Request?

Yes. Even if we use the term “Companies” as we consider that to be the main target that will use this service, a Request can also be posted by any other subject, for example Research centre’s, Public Companies and any other subject who is interested in participating in the network. The only condition is that they respect the rules and have ethically correct conduct.

How can I post a Request?

You just need to be a registered User and to fill in the form “Sends a Request” accepting the “Challenge Agreement”.

Is there an agreement to accept?

Yes. It is called “Challenge Agreement”. The moment in which you send the Request, you and Fullout accept the agreement term. Problem Solvers that wish to enter the Request reserved area and send Proposals should also accept the “Challenge Agreement”.

What data should I insert to post a Request?

The form that you need to complete can be found at the following link…

Will the information that I insert be public?

Not everything. The form specifies what is public and what can be seen only by the Problem Solver after having signed the “Challenge Agreement” (it contains restrictive obligations of confidentiality).

Can the Companies update/change the Request?

No. Once the Request has been posted, it can’t be changed. That’s why we ask you to pay attention when you complete the Request form. You can make any eventual communications with the Problem Solver through the WorkSpace.

Is it obligatory to set an Award? Does it need to be monetary?

Yes. This Award will be given only when you consider that a Proposal has satisfied your Request.

How can I set the amount of the Award?

There isn’t an exact answer that is valid for all. We can give you some suggestions:

• The fundamental aspect is for the Request to be visible. The higher the Award the more visible the Request. The Problem Solver can put the Requests in order of value, starting with the highest Award amount;
• You have to consider that the Problem Solver is not guaranteed to win the Award and cannot define all the costs that will be sustained at the beginning.
  In other words, consider that the classic method expects a preliminary negotiation where the requirement of the opposing party (the consultant, the researcher or the partner) is established first. The costs are certain according to the resources dedicated to the project (man – machine hours, etc) and the remuneration is not related to the final result. In this way however, costs aren’t certain in the beginning (because it is not based on the work-hours but on the final result) and furthermore it is not certain that, if the result is achieved the Proposal will be accepted by the Company. The Award therefore must be such so as to incentives the Problem Solver to take on the risk of both incurring unexpected costs and not receiving any remuneration;
• Remember that throughout this process, the Company will probably not receive one Proposal only but several;
• Finally but fundamental: you only pay if you arrive at a Solution. If you don’t find what you are searching for, you spend ZERO.

How is the Total Reward divided between the Problem Solver and Fullout?

We call “Total Reward” the total amount that a Company spends if they choose at least one Best Proposal.
80% of the Total Reward (called Award) is given to the Problem Solver;
20% of the Total Reward (called Fullout’s Commission) is given to Fullout.

Does the Problem Solver earn 100% of the Award posted on the Site?

Absolutely yes! The amount posted on the Site is related to the Award and is equal to the amount that will be given to the Best Proposal(s). Fullout will not take any percentage of the amount posted on the Site.

How are the Property Rights managed?

The Company can choose between two different typologies of transfer rights:

• Transfer of all rights;
• Concession of a non-exclusive license.

Are all rights to the Proposal acquired by paying the Award?

No. Through paying the Award you only buy the rights to the Proposal(s) selected as the Best Proposal(s).

Who owns the property rights to the Proposals not selected as the Best Proposal?

If the Proposal sent to the Problem Solver is not chosen as the Best Proposal, the Problem Solver maintains all rights to the Proposal they sent.

Can the Company and Problem Solver communicate with each other?

The Company and Problem Solver can only communicate via the WorkSpace (always respecting the “Communication Rules”) until the Company pays the Total Reward (with Easy option) or Fullout’s Commission (with Advanced option).
After that, the Company and Problem Solver can communicate directly using tools other than WorkSpace and via face to face contact.

What are the “Communication Rules”?

Any communication between the Company and the Problem Solver shall be exclusively through the WorkSpace until the Company pays the Total Reward (with Easy option) or Fullout’s Commission (with Advanced option). Any type of communication or disclosure aimed at facilitating direct contact between the parties is strictly forbidden. No Request or Proposal or any other type of message delivered to the counter party shall contain any reference or details that may enable direct exchange of communication via channels other than WorkSpace. Disclosure of the following information is forbidden (this list is provided only as an example):

• telephone number
• name
• last name
• usernames/nicknames used in this or other Sites
• company name
• address
• country,: Specify only the Country of residence of the company, without adding any further geographical details -such as Northern Italy, Central France or West Germany;
• other disclosures which may facilitate the identification of the counter party.

Should the Company fail to abide by the provisions of these Rules, the Company shall be required to pay Full Out an amount equal to the Total Reward.
Should the Problem Solver fail to abide by the provisions of these Rules, they shall be required to pay Full Out an amount equal to the Award.

Are there any terms of confidentiality to respect?

Yes absolutely. During the Request period and at all times thereafter, you shall not disclose to any third party nor use for any purpose other than for the performance of the challenge, any Confidential Information without the express written consent of the owner of the Confidential Information. “Confidential Information” includes:

• All information set forth in the password protected areas of the Site; and
• During any Exclusivity Period and after Acceptance and exercise of an Option relating to a Request, any Proposal relating to the said Request.

What is the ‘WorkSpace’?

It is a virtual space offered by Fullout where you can manage your Requests, your Proposals, communicate with the opposing party absolutely anonymously but at the same time directly and without intermediation. You must strictly respect the “Communication Rules” within the WorkSpace.

What is the Proposal?

All communication, information, messages, technical specifications and descriptions inserted in the “WorkSpace” by the Problem Solver. In the case in which there is direct contact between the Company and Problem Solver, the Proposal also includes direct communication and eventual products, prototypes, documentation and any other material or intangible element presented by the Problem Solver to the Company at the end of proposing a solution.

What is the ‘Deadline’?

It is the last day for the Problem Solver to post their solution Proposal. It is decided by the Company.

What is the ‘Expiry date’?

It is the last day for the Company to select the Best Proposal. With the ‘Easy’ option it is calculated automatically by Fullout and is equal to 15 days after the Deadline; with the ‘Advanced’ option it is defined by the Company (up to 90 days after the Deadline).

What is the Easy option?

With the ‘Easy’ option the Problem Solver sends the Solution Proposal(s) within the Deadline. Based on the information received across the WorkSpace the company has a period of 15 days in which to choose the Best Proposal, if there is one.

What is the Advanced option?

With the “Advanced” option the Problem Solvers send the Solution Proposals within the Deadline. Based on the information received through the WorkSpace the Company has a period of 15 days to choose which Proposal they wish to further investigate. Within 15 days the Company must pay Fullout’s Commission to receive details of the selected Problem Solvers. Thereafter the Company can directly contact the Problem Solver, meet face to face or ask for material to be sent. The Company must select the Best Proposal by the Expiry date, if there is one.

How is the Best Proposal selected?

The Best Proposal(s) will be the one that has been selected as the “Best Proposal” at midnight of the Expiry date. Within the WorkSpace offered by Fullout, there is a “Valuation Box” on the right side of each Proposal where the Company must provide feedback and where single Proposals can be selected as the Best Proposal.
A valuation equal to 5 stars does not mean that the Proposal is the Best Proposal.

Is it possible to ask for a face to face meeting or exchange materials to be consigned?

Companies and Problem Solver can have direct communication, exchange materials or prototypes and have face to face meetings before choosing the Best Proposal only with the Advanced option and only after paying Fullout’s Commission.

Can attachments be exchanged?

It is possible to exchange attachments only once the Company has paid the Fullout’s Commission.

Who and how are the trips organized by?

Any eventual travel and refunds are established and organized autonomously by and between the Users. Full Out is in no way obliged to pay any type of expenditure to any of the parties.

Can I choose more than one Proposal?

Yes. The Company can select a maximum of 2 Proposals. In the case where 2 Proposals are chosen, the Award will be divided
between the Problem Solvers in equal parts.

Am I obliged to choose at least one Proposal?

No, you are not.

Why must the Company pay after having received and read the Proposals?

The main reasons are as follow:

• The Companies that do not pay do not have any rights to the Proposals;
• If the Company does not pay, the Request and the related Proposals will be posted on the Site (except for the Proposals of the Problem Solvers that do not give their consent) and are accessible by everyone (also by your direct competitors). If the Problem Solver communicates they don’t want their Proposal published, Full Out will not post it. The name of the Company that has posted the Request will however not be made public (it remain confidential);
• The Company Feedback starts to get worse, decreasing the probability of receiving interesting Proposals in the successive Requests.

What happens if the Company doesn’t select any Proposal as Best Proposal?

• The Request and their relevant Proposals will be posted on the Site (If the Problem Solver communicates they don’t want their Proposal published, Full Out will not post it). The name of the Company that has posted the Request will however not be made public (it remain confidential);
• The Company does not acquire any rights to use the Proposal;
• The Company Feedback gets worse.

What is the Company feedback?

The Company Feedback consists of the number of Requests that come to a positive conclusion in respect to the total number of Requests posted. The feedback will be posted next to each Request (but not the name of the Company): in this way the Problem Solver can know if the Company generally corresponds to the Award or not.

Does low Feedback correspond to how serious a Company is?

No. A low percentage of effectively paid Proposals doesn’t necessarily mean that the Company behaves in an unprofessional manner (receives the replies but then doesn’t pay its dues). A low percentage could be due to the fact that the Company didn’t receive any interesting Proposals. At the same time it is possible that the Award is not appropriate to the requirements of the Requests or the Requests are not sufficiently clear or further more. Each Problem Solver however can have their own ideas about the ethics of the Company. In fact, for every unpaid challenge, the Proposals sent will be posted (If the Problem Solver communicates they don’t want their Proposal published, Full Out will not post it). This way the Problem Solver can understand if the Proposals were actually unsatisfactory.

Is the feedback posted with the name of the Company?

No. Every Request will have the feedback by the side, but not the name of the Company. This way the Problem Solver can have an idea of how serious the Company that posts the Request is but without knowing its name. The Problem Solver can surf through the Requests that have not had a Best Proposal, this way they can understand if that Request does not have a Best Proposal due to a lack of interesting Proposals.

Can the Company use its feedback on other Sites?

No.

What is the Problem Solver Feedback?

Every Company is obliged to give a feedback and a Mandatory Evaluation to each Problem Solver. This way the Problem Solver can build their own reputation.

Is the Company obliged to give feedback to every Proposal?

During the analysis phase of the Proposals, the Company can make a note in the “Valuation box” in order to remember the quality of the Proposals received. This tool is very useful as it prolongs the Deadline and hence more Proposals are received. The day after the Expiry date, the information included in the “Valuation Box” are communicated to the respective Problem Solver.
The Company is obliged to give feedback and a comment (called “Mandatory Evaluation”) for each Proposal. In the case that this does not happen, the Company will be obliged to give the Total Reward to Fullout as a penalty.

What are the methods of payment?

With Easy option the Company pay the Total Reward to Full Out: once received payment, Full Out undertakes to pay the Problem Solver Award to the Problem Solver and is entitled to retain its Fullout’s Comission.
With the Advanced option, the Company pays 20% of the Total Reward to obtain details of the Problem Solvers selected. Once the Best Solution, if there is one, has been selected, the Company pay the remaining 80% to Fullout and this is transferred directly to the Problem Solver.
The payments will be made via bank transfer. We are working towards offering credit card payments.
Every payment shall be carried out with value euro.

What are the deadlines?

With the Easy option:

• The Company selects the Deadline when they fill in the Request.
• Within 15 days from the Deadline the Company must choose which is/are the best Proposal/s and leaves the Mandatory Evaluation to each Proposal.
• Within 30 days from the Deadline the Company must pay the Total Reward to Full Out (if at least one “Best Solution” has been selected).
• Within 45 days from the Deadline Fullout must pay the Problem Solver Award to the Problem Solver that has sent the “Best Proposal” (if at least one “Best Solution” has been selected).

With the Advanced option:

• The Company selects the Deadline and Expiry Date when they fill in the Request.
• Within 15 days from the Deadline the Company must choose which Proposal/s they want to Investigate further and leaves the Mandatory Evaluation to each Proposal.
• Within 30 days from the Deadline the Company must pay Fullout’s Commission.
• Once the amount has been received, Fullout supplies contact details of the Problem Solver(s) that have sent the Proposals selected by the Company: Fullout takes responsibility of sending the details within 45 days from the Deadline.
• Within the Expiry date the Company must select which is/are the Best Proposal/s.
• Within 15 days from the Expiry date the Company must pay the Problem Solver Award (if at least one “Best Proposal” has been selected).
• Within 30 days from the Expiry date Fullout must pay the Award to the Problem Solver ” (if at least one “Best Proposal” has been selected).

Has Fullout any system of control?

Yes. Each challenge is assigned to a specific person inside Fullout. This person will verify if within the communications between the parties there have been any attempts to evade Fullout and if the “Communication Rules” have been respected. Furthermore, each Workspace will have a simple button beside it (“Alert”) to communicate any unethical behavior. Via this button each User has to signal any attempt by the opposing party to contact them directly.

Why would the User have to report unethical behavior?

If Fullout staff discover that unethical behaviour hasn’t been reported, the User will be banned from the network.

What happens if a Company or a Problem Solver wants to bypass Fullout?

Any attempt to make direct contact with the opposing party wanting to bypass Fullout, will be punished with:

• Immediate exclusion from the network;
• The Company will be obliged to pay an amount equal to the Total Reward as a penalty.
• The Problem Solver will be obliged to pay an amount equal to the Problem Solver Award as a penalty.
  This kind of behavior will be discovered through the reports of the Users and checks by Fullout staff.

How is manage the Intellectual Property Transfer?

The Company can select two type of Intellectual Property Trasfer:

• All Rights;
• Non exclusive license.
  Should the Proposal be rejected, the Problem Solver maintains all their rights on the Proposals posted.

What is the “Optional Period”?

By ”Optional Period” it is intended the period from the day the Problem Solver agrees to the Challenge Agreement to 30 days after Expiry Date.
Posting a Proposal the Problem Solver agrees to grant the Company the following rights during the Optional Period:

• a non-exclusive international licence to use, copy, disclose, create derivative works and process the Proposals with the aim of reviewing, analysing and testing them throughout the Optional Period;
• the right to exercise an exclusive option (“Exclusive Option”) to purchase the rights of the Proposals as describe in the next question.

Should the Proposal be rejected, such Option Right is forfeited and the Problem Solver maintains all their rights on the Proposals posted.

Could I have more details about “All rights” option?

Unless otherwise disclosed in the Proposal, upon Acceptance of the Proposal by the Company and payment of the Problem Solver Award, the Problem Solver hereby assigns and conveys to the Company all rights, title, and interests in and to the Proposal that is related to the Request, and Problem Solver retains no rights to the Proposal. If Problem Solver utilizes any processes in development of the Proposal which are the subject of patent rights owned by him, Problem Solver agrees to grant to the Company a worldwide, non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free right and license to practice any patented processes used in the Proposal. Furthermore, Problem Solver agrees that he will, during the term of this Agreement and at any time thereafter, execute all papers and do all things deemed necessary by the Company to ensure that all such rights are transferred to the Company. Such cooperation and execution shall be performed without additional compensation to Problem Solver whilst any travel arrangements and reimbursements of related expenses will be independently managed by the Users.
By granting the Exclusive Option Rights the Problem Solver agree that during the Optional Period (and thereafter, if the Option is exercised), he is prohibited from (x) using, the Proposal or (y) disclosing to or granting or assigning or transferring any rights to a third party to use the Proposal for any purpose, including the application for patents or similar intellectual property rights.

Could I have more details about “Non exclusive license” option?

Unless otherwise disclosed in the Proposal, upon Acceptance of the Proposal by the Company and payment of the Problem Solver Award, the Problem Solver grants to the Company a worldwide, unlimited, perpetual, irrevocable, and non exclusive license to use, make, have made, market, copy, modify, lease, sell, distribute, and create derivative works of the Proposal. If Problem Solver utilizes any processes in development of the Proposal which are the subject of patent rights owned by him, Problem Solver agrees to grant to the Company a worldwide, non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free right and license to practice any patented processes used in the Proposal. Furthermore, Problem Solver agrees that he will, during the term of this Agreement and at any time thereafter, execute all papers and do all things deemed necessary by the Company to ensure that all such rights are transferred to the Company. Such cooperation and execution shall be performed without additional compensation to Problem Solver whilst any travel arrangements and reimbursements of related expenses will be independently managed by the Users.