A photographer seeking credentials to shoot at the Texas Motor Speedway reportedly was handed a harsh agreement to sign, which includes a transfer of copyrights to the photos taken there and restricts what the photographer can do with the photos.  It appears that the Speedway has joined other rights grabs in exchange for access. Specifically, [...]

Although most of my posts on bad rules in photo contests are now distributed through my Twitter account, these are worth their own entry. (1) Sigma is sponsoring a “Momtographers” Photo Contest.  Unfortunately, the rules provide that: By submitting an Entry, entrant, or in the case of a minor, the minor’s parent or legal guardian, [...]

In response to my concern about Adorama’s photo contest rules, Joel Meisels of Adorama Camera let me know that the rules have been revised.  The rules now state: Rights Granted by you: By entering this Contest, you agree that: You are the owner of your content, provided that you hereby grant an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to [...]

Check out Bob Krist’s excellent report on the rights-grabbing photo contest sponsored by Popular Photography.  Thanks also to Pro Imaging‘s important work in protecting photographers’ rights. Adorama seems to following the horrible trend.  The rules for its new photo contest state: Rights Granted by you: By entering this Contest, you agree that: the Administrator and [...]

Check the terms and conditions of the following contests before submitting your photos! “Unload Your Happy Photos” – The terms state: Your License to Frito-Lay . . . by submitting your name and Photograph to the Project, you hereby irrevocably grant to Frito-Lay the unlimited, non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, sublicensable, assignable, royalty free right to [...]

Editorial Photographers UK Ltd. reports via its “The Copyright Action” website has a lengthy analysis on the Digital Economy Bill.  Unless amended, the bill will allow for use of “orphan works” but the terms and related requirements are not defined.  EPUK provides a way to contact your UK representative to protest the bill. [EPUK also reports [...]

Canon USA Hawaii and its co-sponsors: LavaNet, KRATER 96, and Nikkan San are sponsoring its “Annual Canon Amateur Photo Contest.”  Three winners will receive either a Canon EOS Rebel XS Kit, a Canon Powershot G11 Camera, or Canon Powershot SD1200IS Camera.  Unfortunately, the rules provide that: I agree that the copyright to my photograph will [...]

Check out attorney/photographer Samuel Lewis‘ important article on “Get It In Writing” in this month’s Digital Photo Pro.  To compare, see what happened when deals were being made for the “Precious” movie, as explained by the Property Intangible blog. The Consumerist reports Walmart would not print some photos of a dead relative for a funeral. [...]

1. While reportedly popular last year, the ElfYourself.com program takes an overly-broad license beyond that needed to perform its services: . . . you hereby grant to Operators [OfficeMax and JibJab] a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to do the following things in perpetuity: . . . to display, copy, reproduce, create derivative works of, edit, alter, exhibit, publicly [...]

Wired.com reports that a “Russian Billionaire has installed an ‘Anti-Photo Shield’ on his huge yacht.” The owner purportedly can turn on lasers to fire at cameras that will “obliterate” the photo. A bright light that is shot towards a camera so that the shot is overexposed might be legal. But if an infrared laser damages [...]