Nat Geo Moment Awards - Beware

Summary:

A Word of caution

Nat Geo Moment Awards - Beware

Udit (guest) 1238278680|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

I came across the NGC Moments Awards and while going through the Terms and Conditions also came across Pt 9 which states,

"The pictures, clippings and films uploaded/posted on the Website shall be so done under an irrevocable, royalty free license and an applicant hereby accordingly grants NGC the right to use the picture/clipping in any medium anywhere in the world in perpetuity."

and pt 11.,
NGC will have the right to use the pictures without the credits of the author/producer/owner of the image or the movie clipping

http://www.natgeotv.co.in/MomentAwards/TermsandConditions.aspx

In the interest of unsuspecting photographers, I am of the opinion that this unethical to hoodwink an amateur or an enthusiast who is not aware of terms like 'royalty free', 'any medium' or 'perpetuity' or its implications for an incentive like a free gift.

Also, I find it an unfair that an agency of the repute of National Geographic is involved in.

i suggest we as a photographic community should not endorse the same by non participation as well as by spreading the word of caution.

I am spreading the word about this to all relevant communities, media and sponsors alike to ensure practises such as these do not spread further at least in India and if we as a photography community donot set standards or educate fellow photographers', corporates like nat geo will benefit at the expense of the photographer.

Lets join hands in this folks

Re: Nat Geo Moment Awards - Beware

Jayesh Bheda 1238305096|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

That's it! That was my first reaction!!

Participating in such competition is even much more like 'free gift', at least a gift has endorsement of the donor, and donee acknowledges the same. Whereas here they even refuse to give credit to photographer, leave alone fees/money!!

However, there are many (say 95%) photographers, who are amateur, many of them just for the sake of having his/her photo published would submit their photographers. Further photographer community is very loosely held as it scattered around the globe. Thus such proganiser find easy to lure photographers!!

Re: Nat Geo Moment Awards - Beware

Udit (guest) 1238353772|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

exactly Jayesh !

btw, as per IPR Laws:
With regard to point 11, an author's moral right to get credit cannot be taken away by any person. That is not a valid term under the law.

ps: join in to particpate in this at http://www.flickr.com/groups/dfc/discuss/72157615974408508/

Re: Nat Geo Moment Awards - Beware

Udit (guest) 1238427100|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

NGC Amends Clause 11 to:

NGC shall make best endeavours to give credit to the author/producer/owner of the image or the movie, but entrant/applicant acknowledges that NGC may not always be able to do so due to editorial or other reasons, determined in NGC’s sole discretion.

My personal opinion :

1. They still have discretionary powers
2. They havent amended Clause 9 and its limitations
3. They have just clarified thier intent keeping the terms with a wee bit ambiguity which works in thier favour.

I m not participating !!

For News/update on NGC Contest -
http://www.flickr.com/groups/dfc/discuss/72157615974408508