Nikon Opodo Photography Competition Copyright Grab Warning

Editorial Photographers UK pointed out this ludicrous piece of copyright-mugging in Opodos Reflections Photography Contest what makes it worse it is endorsed by Nikon of all people!

Nikon’s sponsorship of the ‘rights grabbing’ Opodo Reflections Competition has surprised and angered many leading professional photographers as well as others within the photographic community.

The controversy looks certain to tarnish Nikon’s reputation within the industry with long term professional Nikon users condemning the photographic giant’s involvement and rival manufacturers stating that they would not have got involved with a competition which contained such terms.

The terms and conditions for Opodo’s Reflections competition demands that all entrants grant them a licence to use the photographs forever for no fee. The terms also ask that photographers give up their moral rights in the photographs, and that they assign their rights in any other ‘derivative’ works, such as montages. Rather helpfully, Opodo reassures entrants that they “can submit as many photos as they like”, with each photograph entered being available for Opodo to use forever

(Emphasis mine)

Source:Nikonians

What the hell are Nikon thinking?

Seems like a pretty cheap way of getting perpetual exclusive rights to some darn good photographs. Beats buying pics everyone else has for $2 a pop, right?

Reputation tarnished? They need their collective arses kicking.

Update: Rules have been changed after protests

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