NAUI is a good organization, but the rules in their current "Just Dive" photo contest do not show the organization's better side. As you can see from the terms and conditions below, anyone who submits photos loses the right to use these images, unless they receive permission from NAUI.
This transfer of copyright and ownership not only violates industry standards, it is ethically absurd to have to contact NAUI to obtain permission to show or use images that a photographer has taken. Below is the contest wording.
"The act of submitting photos constitutes an agreement that the ownership of materials transfers to NAUI and that they are free of copyright restrictions and may be published by NAUI in any media without further compensation. By entering you give NAUI the perpetual, exclusive rights to use the photo in any way, including but not limited to advertising and promotional use."
If you would like to let NAUI know how you feel about this type of unethical contest restriction, you might want to send them an e-mail requesting they drop the transfer of ownership provision for future contests. Additionally, you may also want to e-mail the companies who have donated prizes, and let them know about the negative impact this has on underwater photographers.
Here is the contact information:
NAUI: nauihq@naui.org
Prize Providers:
Alton's Dive Center:info@diveinutila.com
Ikelite: ikelite@ikelite.com
Black Beard Cruises: ws@blackbeard-cruises.com
Kosrae Village: info@kosraevillage.com
Stuart Cove: info@stuartcove.com
Sea & Sea: info@tusa.com
