Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple to Pay Licensing Fees to 'Shot on iPhone' Contest Winners After Artist Complaints
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
How Ridiculous? Pay me if you are going to use my work.......
Notice how you have no idea about copyright and how Apple is basically trying to rip off all the copyright from anybody who submits the work to save on cheap marketing campaign. Even if you submit the work, the work should still remain yours.
If you starting using the Apple logo without their permission, then you get into trouble. Why should be any different the other way around?
Issue is NOT resolved. It is really PATHETIC that a multi-billion company has this kind of attitude of trying to rip off artists of their copyright, supposedly "the most creative in the world" he can't wait to see...
It is not a question of sharing. It is a question of copyright. And you are wrong. Comparing social media sharing with the use of billboards and give Apple the copyrights and permission to use it as they want is truly pathetic.
The plain truth is that Apple is trying to save money on marketing by ripping artist. They should upload a photo of Tim Crook saying how amazing he feels...
Last edited:
Ok, i see a lot of misunderstanding here...
ROYALTY FREE means that once you ACQUIRE a license, you can use the media (in this case a photograph) as you see fit. It doesn't mean that you don't have to initially pay for it. For ex. you go to ShutterStock and pay for an image... then you use without having to pay any royalties for it.
So, when Apple announces the contest what they are saying is that they want the right of use of the images, for obvious reasons... No point on selecting a winner that tells you "ahh, well... i changed my mind, better don't use my photo" or "you know, my work is very very veeeery valuable". They must be sure that they can use the material.
They never said they wanted the photos FOR FREE, just royalty free. Later they state that they will compensate the photographers to ACQUIRE the rights of the photograph which is not in contradiction with what they stated before. I'm sure compensation is not going to be an iTunes Gift Card ;-) for sure it will be a lot more than what you get for posting them on facebook!!!
I guess a lot of these "pro" photographers that complained about it don't know much about royalties anyway... if you know what i mean...
Finally, if you don't like the contest, don't enter... and have a nice life!
ROYALTY FREE means that once you ACQUIRE a license, you can use the media (in this case a photograph) as you see fit. It doesn't mean that you don't have to initially pay for it. For ex. you go to ShutterStock and pay for an image... then you use without having to pay any royalties for it.
So, when Apple announces the contest what they are saying is that they want the right of use of the images, for obvious reasons... No point on selecting a winner that tells you "ahh, well... i changed my mind, better don't use my photo" or "you know, my work is very very veeeery valuable". They must be sure that they can use the material.
They never said they wanted the photos FOR FREE, just royalty free. Later they state that they will compensate the photographers to ACQUIRE the rights of the photograph which is not in contradiction with what they stated before. I'm sure compensation is not going to be an iTunes Gift Card ;-) for sure it will be a lot more than what you get for posting them on facebook!!!
I guess a lot of these "pro" photographers that complained about it don't know much about royalties anyway... if you know what i mean...
Finally, if you don't like the contest, don't enter... and have a nice life!
Exact. My two pictures submitted were taken on the spot by luck and voila...
I didn’t specifically booked a trip for that, wait for the perfect conditions.... not as a pro...
If the professionnels are in the contest and specifically book trip around the world yeah i understand they want a reward...
Frankly speaking I'm not against a reward but I agreed to participate without a reward and Voilà.
Assume your life choices...
A photographers photos are their work. If Apple want their photos to advertise with they should pay a fair price.
Totally, and Tim Crook is full of it. So much so that you can see it reflected in the entire computer line up.
Cool idea but why limiting the price to an iPod Nano? yeah that was a sarcasm regarding current prices
Ridiculous panhandling. The rules were clear. This is not their job, this is a fully optional competition with private rules. I hope none of the entitled “Pros” win, then they will get all the “work” but none of the pay or even exposure. Then they will have effectively “worked for free” oh the horror 
You just proved my point: you keep focusing on how much Apple is worth.
The issue has been resolved from the beginning: if you don't want to participate, DONT. This is VOLUNTARY. Apple didn't need to offer any royalties whatsoever. They didn't do this out of legal or moral necessity. They did so for PR. And the issue has been resolved because they did so, unless you are complaining about the amount of those fees.
This is NOTHING like copyright infringement of the Apple logo or any of its IP because they have not given you permission to use them. Contrast this with the contest, where you VOLUNTARILY give them permission to use your photo for the EXPLICIT PURPOSE of advertising, as they made VERY CLEAR.
No one forced anyone to do anything. Apple did not go and infringe on anyone's copyrights. They didn't illegally download and put those photos into ads. They invited people to participate, and people willingly did for the same reason people upload their shots on social media: for likes.
Your analogies are absolutely childish.
Again, all coming from people who have never seen a licensing contract. This is all very standard language, and there are specific reasons (and caselaw) which require the terminology which sounds burdensome to a lay person.
You have a bunch of "artists" who love posting all over IG, but this is the first time they've seen the terms "worldwide, irrevocable..." etc. and they lose their minds because it sounds crazy.
For everyone acting like Apple actually needs your photos, you overestimate your value as an "artist." The point of this campaign is to show what ORDINARY AMATERURS can do with their iPhones. The whole point is to highlight that the iPhone can turn any Joe Schmoe into a brilliant "photographer" due to the iPhones camera hardware and software. And let's be honest: the iPhone is doing most of the work.
This generation of IG "entrepreneurs" needs to stop. Rise and grind, you're entitlement and overestimating of your contribution to society.
Last edited:
I believe ALL contests that use the creative work should be liable to pay for usage. A competition where a winner is given a cash or value prize is fine but one where the prize is nothing and you relinquish rights should be banned.
Apple could have had a competition where they chose winners and gave prizes for the best photo and then didn't use the photos for anything. That would be great.
Or the competition could be for a prize where you relinquish rights for the prize.
But straight up relinquishing rights for nothing is criminal. Creative always get ****ed. I see these type of contests all the time for musicians where they don't comprehend their true worth.
Apple could have had a competition where they chose winners and gave prizes for the best photo and then didn't use the photos for anything. That would be great.
Or the competition could be for a prize where you relinquish rights for the prize.
But straight up relinquishing rights for nothing is criminal. Creative always get ****ed. I see these type of contests all the time for musicians where they don't comprehend their true worth.
The Apple defenders here don’t realize that when people are offered the chance to submit photos that might get widely viewed they lose all willpower to consider whether the payment or absence thereof is sufficient.
See, this isn’t voluntary in the age of slavery to views and followers.
See, this isn’t voluntary in the age of slavery to views and followers.
All those that are whining need to shut up IMO. No one forced you to enter. I know some new photographers would GLADLY love the free publicity even no royalties are paid out.
A classic:
“Local artist paid with, dies from, exposure”
https://www.thebeaverton.com/2015/04/local-artist-paid-with-dies-from-exposure/
“Local artist paid with, dies from, exposure”
https://www.thebeaverton.com/2015/04/local-artist-paid-with-dies-from-exposure/
holy **** are you people ****ing stupid?
1) No one forces anyone to participate in this contest
2) If Apple wanted pro photography from an iphone do you not think they would pay the thousands of dollars it costs rather than deal with you jackasses? I think they already had an ad series where they gave it to pro photographers but correct me if i am wrong.
1) No one forces anyone to participate in this contest
2) If Apple wanted pro photography from an iphone do you not think they would pay the thousands of dollars it costs rather than deal with you jackasses? I think they already had an ad series where they gave it to pro photographers but correct me if i am wrong.
"When interviewed, Sue's parents stated that they were shocked by the irony of the situation. 'We told Sue that she could be anything she wanted to be. We told her she was a genius, and that if she wanted to take pictures for a living instead of getting a real job, she should drop out of college and do so. Of course she continued on in college, majoring in art history, and graduated with 200k in massive debt with no career prospects, but we are positive people. We believe in focusing on positive thoughts, like my Vegan soy latte.' Sue's dad was the most shocked, stating that 'she had over 50,000 Instagram followers and 500k likes. Who would have thought she wouldn't succeed in life? We saved all of our lives, so that our children could have a better future...where they owned no property or assets, and instead focused on experiences. I can't believe this backfired.'"
Millions of millennials are offended by your statement, and are starting BOTH a Gofundme and a change.org petition as we speak.
BTW, you are getting fired tomorrow for your statement. But if it's just from being a photographer, don't worry. You end up in the same place.
But he wouldn't be working for free, he'd be payed with "exposure"
Most redicoulus thing I’ve read in a while. People complaining about not getting paid for something they aren’t required to submit to or hired to submit for. Get a life. If you want compensated for your incredible work, go do your own advertising/marketing. Not sure if Apple credits the photographer when using the images, but if they do I’d think that would be more than fair to get your name out there. Also, now that I think of it, I promise you if these pros were featured, you bet your sweet a** they’d be bragging about it on their website, Twitter, etc. Win win as far as I can see. And to the people who say you can’t pay the bills with a medal and happiness BS, well then go elsewhere and get paid, don’t submit to Apple. Easy!!
Last edited:
'Artists'.... and there was me thinking this was just a fun competition for regular iPhone users.
I'd be over the moon if I go featured one of their ads. I get the point about how much money Apple is worth and that you could say they are gaining from your submissions, but even if they hadn't announced any kind of 'prize' or licencing fee, 10's of 1000's of people would still willingly contribute.
I'd be over the moon if I go featured one of their ads. I get the point about how much money Apple is worth and that you could say they are gaining from your submissions, but even if they hadn't announced any kind of 'prize' or licencing fee, 10's of 1000's of people would still willingly contribute.
This is not work! Stop defending this vulture mentality! Just because Apple is wealthy that doesn't mean this is OK.
Apple never contracted anyone to shoot photos for them.
Apple never contracted anyone to shoot photos for them.
Ah. Don’t blame them for being whiny and petty. Blame their platform.
I guess all forum trolls now get a pass, too. It’s their plarform’s fault.
[doublepost=1548410144][/doublepost]
It’s not a bloody job! It’s a fun contest to engourage average iPhone owners to get creative with their bloody phones!
My kid is in a grade school book reading contest. Whoever reads over 20 books wins a trophy. Trophy?! How insulting! The school has a bigger endowment that I do, so we deserve some of it! Maybe I should publically whine about it and get these children some hard-earned cash!
Last edited:
The simple fact is that dozens of people will get paid to work on this apart from the person who actually creates the content. This free content would replace the work that somebody would normally get paid for. For a company that has been driven by the creative industries since its inception, does that not send out the wrong message at all?
Apple clearly realise this misstep now and have rectified it. And I am pleased they sorted this out. There is no need to constantly defend them.
If you are a plumber and a whole bunch of DIY enthusiasts went around scooping up all the work for exposure and doing a bad job, how would you feel when it came to paying your rent?
Apple clearly realise this misstep now and have rectified it. And I am pleased they sorted this out. There is no need to constantly defend them.
If you are a plumber and a whole bunch of DIY enthusiasts went around scooping up all the work for exposure and doing a bad job, how would you feel when it came to paying your rent?