Microsoft Future Pro Photographers Photo Contest

by Eric Cheng Thursday, May 4th, 2006

Article Summary:

Student photographers, compete to win $20,000 in cash, “digital workflow prize packages,” and more! Microsoft is soliciting images in the following categories: Nature & Landscape, People & Portraits, and Fine Art. The deadline is May 31, so get your entries in now. We really want a Wetpixel member to win!

Speaking of a Wetpixel member winning, I have to go;

~~I have an appointment at the enrollment office of the local community college.~~

*UPDATE* Microsoft has draconian statements in the contest rules that state that they own all rights to all submitted entries. So be forewarned: if you submit a photo, they can legally “exploit” [sic] the image and force you to sign paperwork granting them full rights. Evil!

*UPDATE 2* Microsoft has changed the wording in their contest rules to state, “Submitting an entry does not assign or transfer any ownership or copyrights to Microsoft; those rights remain with the creator of the original work. However as a condition of accepting a prize, you agree to grant Microsoft an irrevocable royalty-free worldwide license to reproduce and display the image, credited with your first and last name, in print and on the web for the purposes of promoting this contest.” I hope our post here was part of the reason for the change.

Looks like high school seniors (with enrollment deposits in at a college) aren't eligable :(
Posted by diveh2o on 2006-05-09 09:49:40 Mike - thank you for clarifying the issue. I am really excited that Microsoft is putting on such a contest!
Posted by Eric Cheng on 2006-05-08 15:38:33 Hello - I appreciate comments on the contest. At the time of this thread being created, we were already in the midst of changing the terms within rule #5 based on similar feedback we had already received. As Eric has already pointed out, the site has been updated to reflect the change. The rule now reads as follows: '5. ENTRIES PROPERTY OF SPONSOR. Submitting an entry does not assign or transfer any ownership or copyrights to Microsoft; those rights remain with the creator of the original work. However as a condition of accepting a prize, you agree to grant Microsoft an irrevocable royalty-free worldwide license to reproduce and display the image, credited with your first and last name, in print and on the web for the purposes of promoting this contest. If you are unable, or unwilling, to grant Microsoft this right, please do not enter this contest.' Just to clarify, we have created this contest to boost the photographic community at the education level, and hope to help launch a few promising careers. We are NOT here to gain rights to a bunch of images, and take advantage of these photographers. Please feel free to ping me anytime with questions, comments, and concerns. Thanks, Mike Tedesco Technical Evangelist - Pro Photo Community Microsoft Corporation http://www.microsoft.com/prophoto This posting is provided 'AS IS' with no warranties, and confers no rights
Posted by Mike Tedesco on 2006-05-08 09:38:50 Microsoft changed the rules to something more fair. Kudos to them for changing them so soon -- they must have gotten a lot of negative feedback.
Posted by Eric Cheng on 2006-05-06 11:54:06 Thanks, Matt, for catching that! I thought your wording was a joke until I actually read the rules myself. I'll amend the post to reflect what we have discovered...
Posted by Eric Cheng on 2006-05-05 03:00:38 "All Entries become the property of Sponsor and Administrators and will not be returned. By submitting your Entry, you grant Sponsor and Administrators an irrevocable royalty-free, worldwide right, in all media (now known or later developed) to use, publish, alter or otherwise exploit your Entry. You hereby forever release the Sponsor and Administrators from any and all claims you might have in connection with their use and exhibit of your Entry as set forth above. You also agree to sign any necessary documentation to effectuate that license and release." It seems that, whether or not you win, Microsoft acquires full uses of any image you submit. In some ways, I think Microsoft comes out way ahead in this contest in terms of 'free image donations' from the majority of people entering, and then being able to use said images in any product or advertisement...something to think about. ~Matt Segal
Posted by segal3 on 2006-05-05 02:54:13