OT: Dell Canada's "laptop cover design" contest

[Arthur Entlich]

I recently received a flyer in my newspaper (in Canada) from Dell
Canada, which invited people to participate in a contest to win one
grand prize of a Dell laptop (with your own design on it) and Corel
software package, or nine secondary prizes of Corel software packages.

The contest requires the participant to submit a 300 dpi image of an
original design that will fit on the surface of the Dell laptop.

I'm often game for contests like these, as they inspire me to play a bit
with some of my graphics. I was considering entering, until I read the
rules for the contest, which can only be found on their website,
somewhat removed from the entry form.

Here's part of rule 7:

“7. ... Entrants waive all moral rights to their design, and will
assign all copyright and intellectual property rights in their design to
Dell for use in Dell’s sole discretion at no further cost to Dell. ...”

I think this is a really sneaky and cheap way to exploit designers and
artists into giving away their intellectual property for, in most cases,
absolutely no reward at all. I could “almost” accept justification of
the winners providing shared rights, but to enforce this kind of
intellectual dishonesty on anyone who just enters the contest, shows
real gall. Even the ten people who are being "paid" are receiving prizes
with values between under $2000, and one of $3500+ value (those are at
list price, too, actual street value is lower for the software
packages), which is much less than a designer would likely charge for
such rights.

I would guess no one would provide Dell with a really quality design
knowing that they were going to give away full rights to it.

I'm very disappointed in Dell for using this tact. It shows a real
disrespect for artists, and reminds me of the robber barons who used
their guile to take advantage of naive people to make their fortune.

My opinion of Dell has certainly been altered by this. I think other
artists should also let Dell Canada know how they feel about this type
of contest.

You can reach them by email at:

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/reftopic.aspx/gen/ccare/en/ccare_email?c=ca&l=en&s=gen

Art

 

[Rob]

I recently received a flyer in my newspaper (in Canada) from Dell
Canada, which invited people to participate in a contest to win one
grand prize of a Dell laptop (with your own design on it) and Corel
software package, or nine secondary prizes of Corel software packages.

The contest requires the participant to submit a 300 dpi image of an
original design that will fit on the surface of the Dell laptop.

I'm often game for contests like these, as they inspire me to play a bit
with some of my graphics. I was considering entering, until I read the
rules for the contest, which can only be found on their website,
somewhat removed from the entry form.

Here's part of rule 7:

“7. ... Entrants waive all moral rights to their design, and will
assign all copyright and intellectual property rights in their design to
Dell for use in Dell’s sole discretion at no further cost to Dell. ...”

I think this is a really sneaky and cheap way to exploit designers and
artists into giving away their intellectual property for, in most cases,
absolutely no reward at all. I could “almost” accept justification of
the winners providing shared rights, but to enforce this kind of
intellectual dishonesty on anyone who just enters the contest, shows
real gall. Even the ten people who are being "paid" are receiving prizes
with values between under $2000, and one of $3500+ value (those are at
list price, too, actual street value is lower for the software
packages), which is much less than a designer would likely charge for
such rights.

I would guess no one would provide Dell with a really quality design
knowing that they were going to give away full rights to it.

I'm very disappointed in Dell for using this tact. It shows a real
disrespect for artists, and reminds me of the robber barons who used
their guile to take advantage of naive people to make their fortune.

My opinion of Dell has certainly been altered by this. I think other
artists should also let Dell Canada know how they feel about this type
of contest.

You can reach them by email at:

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/reftopic.aspx/gen/ccare/en/ccare_email?c=ca&l=en&s=gen


Art

So whats new?

Many photographic competitions are run on the same lines. You submit an
image and all entries that have been submitted become out property, even
if you don't win a prize.

rm

 

[Taliesyn]

The contest requires the participant to submit a 300 dpi image of an
original design that will fit on the surface of the Dell laptop.

I'm often game for contests like these, as they inspire me to play a bit
with some of my graphics. I was considering entering, until I read the
rules for the contest, which can only be found on their website,
somewhat removed from the entry form.

Here's part of rule 7:

´7. ... Entrants waive all moral rights to their design, and will
assign all copyright and intellectual property rights in their design to
Dell for use in Dellÿs sole discretion at no further cost to Dell. ...¡

I think this is a really sneaky and cheap way to exploit designers and
artists into giving away their intellectual property for, in most cases,
absolutely no reward at all.

Thanks for the tip. I'd be interested. But seeing they've set no
compromise rules of ownership - my art becomes theirs - I'll be
substituting one of my creations with one by my 9-year-old neighbour. I
figure I stand about the same chance of winning . . .

-Taliesyn

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

I recently received a flyer in my newspaper (in Canada) from Dell
Canada, which invited people to participate in a contest to win one
grand prize of a Dell laptop (with your own design on it) and Corel
software package, or nine secondary prizes of Corel software packages.

The contest requires the participant to submit a 300 dpi image of an
original design that will fit on the surface of the Dell laptop.

I'm often game for contests like these, as they inspire me to play a
bit with some of my graphics. I was considering entering, until I
read the rules for the contest, which can only be found on their
website, somewhat removed from the entry form.

Here's part of rule 7:

“7. ... Entrants waive all moral rights to their design, and will
assign all copyright and intellectual property rights in their design
to Dell for use in Dell’s sole discretion at no further cost to Dell.
...”
I think this is a really sneaky and cheap way to exploit designers and
artists into giving away their intellectual property for, in most
cases, absolutely no reward at all. I could “almost” accept
justification of the winners providing shared rights, but to enforce
this kind of intellectual dishonesty on anyone who just enters the
contest, shows real gall. Even the ten people who are being "paid"
are receiving prizes with values between under $2000, and one of
$3500+ value (those are at list price, too, actual street value is
lower for the software packages), which is much less than a designer
would likely charge for such rights.

I would guess no one would provide Dell with a really quality design
knowing that they were going to give away full rights to it.

I'm very disappointed in Dell for using this tact. It shows a real
disrespect for artists, and reminds me of the robber barons who used
their guile to take advantage of naive people to make their fortune.

My opinion of Dell has certainly been altered by this. I think other
artists should also let Dell Canada know how they feel about this type
of contest.

You can reach them by email at:

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/reftopic.aspx/gen/ccare/en/ccare_email?c=ca&l=en&s=gen

Art

And your point is...? I've never come across this type of competition which
*DIDN'T* have that clause. The BBC are currently running a competition
entitled 'Digital Britain' along exactly the same lines. But you're right it
is shoddy practice.

 

[Henry]

My point is this
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-532190.php
Obnoxious pig.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I didn't say it was a new concept, but it is a new example, and being
that it deals with computer graphics, a computer, and a Corel Graphics
Suite, I believed it might have some resonance with some of the people
who read this newsgroup.

I don't recommend people enter photo images into contests that
relinquish copyright ownership either.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

What out for those 9 year olds, they often know good lawyers ;-)

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I have seen this approach before, but it isn't standard fare here.

Some contest provide an extra payment for use of the image, or dictate a
specific limited use of the image (one time cover, or one time ad, etc
or only in use with ads about the contest) Some indicate only the
winners relinquish some copyright, or there is a shared copyright, not
full loss for everyone who enters.

Some photo contests state that the PRINTS submitted become property of
the contest sponsor. They do this so they don't have to return the
prints and can just destroy them, but they cannot use the image because
although they "own" the print, they do not own intellectual or "moral"
rights to the image itself.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

That was supposed to read...

Watch out for those nine year olds... they often know good lawyers... ;-)

 

[Taliesyn]

What out for those 9 year olds, they often know good lawyers ;-)

Well, she's very fond of Sponge Bob. Hmmmm... that DOES sound like
it could be a greedy lawyer. . .

-Taliesyn