“Take a great picture with a Caltex logo in it and win a great prize in this year’s Shooting Stars competition.” That’s what they said on the contest’s homepage. The great prize, based on the red text, is an Apple iPod Touch or a Nintendo Wii. It isn’t that great, but hey, I might as well give it a shot, right?

Wrong!

Before you take rush away from your computer and read a little further down. The main prize, it seems, is fame. As they put it: “Aside from being famous, the winners get a chance to win an Apple iPod Touch or a Nintendo Wii!” If you win, you’re not even assured of the prize that they’ve highlighted in bold red text.

Do a little more reading, and you’ll come across the contest Terms & Conditions and the FAQs.

From the T&C:

1. When a participant submits a photograph in response to this Contest (each a “Work”), he or she shall be deemed to have unconditionally consented to the terms and conditions set out herein.
2. As a condition of participation, the participant has to assign to Chevron all copyright in all Works submitted, and to waive all moral rights and similar rights in and to all such Works, by signing the attached Entry Form, failing which his Works will not be considered for participation.

From the FAQs:

11. Do I retain full rights to my photograph?
No. Once submitted to us, we will have all rights to your photograph.

Wow! You sign away your rights to your photos for the chance to be famous, and the chance to win an iPod Touch or a Wii. Still interested?

I didn’t think so.

It doesn’t end there though. If you look around the site, you won’t find a theme for the photos (except for the line that says “Care should be taken to create photographs that are positive and uplifting, and in line with The Chevron Way“). Instead, you’ll find some photo tips which includes this list of photo ideas:

• Caltex with Techron tanker on motorway shot from overpass
• Caltex staff on public transport coming to work
• Remote Caltex station in isolated countryside
• Caltex station set against a scenic background
• Pylon at night in mist from far away
• Lubes container in wastebasket/back of boot/garden shelf/bicycle basket
• Car decal on fancy car/motorbike
• Signboard reflected in puddle
• Caltex sticker on fridge door
• Caltex sticker on little kids bmx/go cart/skateboard
• Pedestrians with Star Mart shopping bags
• Caltex employee (off duty but in uniform) holding a door open for someone
• Kids reading SupaStrikas
• Kids drinking from Caltex/Coffee Plus/Star Mart branded paper cups
• Ferry passing Caltex oil platform
• Caltex logos (or sub brands) on unique vehicles like Jeepneys, tuk tuks
• Interesting people wearing Caltex merchandise
• Photos from Caltex community activities
• Scenes from Caltex sponsored events and employee events (e.g. family day)
• Toys made out of old Caltex product packaging (e.g. Havoline cans)

I don’t know about you, but it seems like they’ve already got a clear idea of what shots they want. Instead of hiring a professional photographer though, they’ve decided to exploit anybody naive enough to sign away their rights to their own photographs.

Do Caltex and Chevron really think a contest like this is in line with The Chevron Way? I certainly hope not.

update 2008.05.13: Based on something JiimyD wrote over at slightly out of focus, specifically this excerpt:

the funniest part is that one of the “suggested photos” is of a Uniformed CalTex employee standing in front of a Station holding the door open (off duty of course). They won’t even pick-up the tab for the employee’s time! They probably would heap any responsibility and liability on the photographer if anything happened to the employee too.

I remembered another item on the contest FAQs:

15. If I am intending to photograph people, especially strangers, do I need to ask for their prior permission especially since the photographs may be used for publication?
Yes. All permissions and image rights have to be negotiated directly by the photographer. It is advisable to obtain their prior approval and explain to them what you are doing and what the photographs are for as not run into any risks. Attached are samples of the type of releases. Chevron will not be responsible for any disputes.

Well Jimmy, it looks like they really are heaping responsibility and liability on the photographer.

Tags:Apple, Caltex, caltex.com, Chevron, chevron.com, contest, copyright, exploitation, intellectual property, iPod Touch, Nintendo, Shooting Stars, slightly out of focus, slightly.dpblogs.com, speculative work, Wii

• Luis • 12 May 2008 •