Harper Collins/UK TV competition–Beware

[erastes]

Contains this little clause in the very small print.

"Where you submit your entry to this site (including without limitation any text, graphics, photos, video or audio) by such submission you grant UKTV and Harper Collins Publishers Limited each a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide, sub-licensable right and license to use, reproduce and publish, distribute and make available to the public your entry in any media, now known or later developed, for the full term of any rights that may exist in such content.
If you do not wish to grant such rights to UKTV and HarperCollins, you should not submit your content to the site."

So, basically, even if you don't win, you grant them rights to use your submission exclusively for ever and never to pay you a penny.

Take their own advice and Do Not Enter.

Comments

[nagasvoice.livejournal.com]

Now that's really ugly. And particularly nasty since they're probably dealing with newbs who don't know to look for that. I'm wondering if anybody's reported that to USian folks like PEN or MWA or SFWA or any of the UK writers groups?

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

What's the link? I'm surprised that Writer Beware and Absolute Write and SFWA aren't all over this already.

[fiona-glass.livejournal.com]

The link is here:
http://uktv.co.uk/alibi/homepage/sid/8644

That takes you to the contest announcement; the clause Erastes quoted above is buried deep inside the terms and conditions on a separate page, here, under '4. Specific Restrictions':
http://uktv.co.uk/alibi/item/aid/633357

[fiona-glass.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you've blogged about this. I was particularly worried since it had been advertised on national tv, but needless to say there was no mention of this little trap...

[jenniferkoliver.livejournal.com]

That is dreadful. :/

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Now that's an evilly worded clause.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

The one saving grace is "non-exclusive." You CAN sell it elsewhere.