I'm delighted to report that after [URL="http://dpnow.com/forum2/blog.php?b=172"]John Maw brought to my attention[/URL] the frankly ridiculous rules attached to the recently launched Lowepro "My Favorite Things" photo competition, and after asking Lowepro for clarification of its intentions, we've received a [URL="http://dpnow.com/7284.html"]very concerned and conciliatory response[/URL]. It seems that fingers have been pointed at some over-zealous legal advice. Just how making such comprehensive claims on the usage and rights to all photos entered into the competition was a good idea in the first place is beyond me.

More of a concern is that the small print in many photo competitions is not read by entrants and unreasonable claims are often made of the entrants' work, so Lowepro is far from alone. The moral of the story is - read the small print!

We'd be very interested to hear about any other competitions you may have come across that appear to want you to give up all or some of your rights to your work,