Microsoft and the National Australia Day Councils are running a promotion called “Look up and Smile“. (via MSDN Australia)

Basically, Microsoft is purchasing a bunch of satellite time on Australia day, and taking large snapshots of Australia for their Live Maps service. People are being encouraged to do things that’ll be visible from space (so – I expect there’ll be large banners, and writing on the sand etc).

As part of it, there’s a photography competition – but make sure you read the fine print before you submit an entry.

“By submitting an entry, each entrant grants to the Sponsor and the National Australia Day Councils an exclusive, irrevocable royalty-free, transferable worldwide right, in all media (now known or later developed) to use, publish, alter or otherwise exploit their entry.”

So, if someone submits an entry – they can never: Publish the photo on their web site, print/sell/give the photo away to another party (friends, family, or the school newspaper). Even if Microsoft and the National Australia Day Councils decide not to use it/give you a prize.

Most people probably won’t be concerned about the fine print – after all, Microsoft and the National Australia Day Councils are hardly going to sue you for putting the photo up on flickr or sending it to your friends via email. Then again, stranger things have happened.

Also – how would you feel if Microsoft decided to use your image, or part of it in a major worldwide campaign (or distributing it in Windows or another product as a “sample” image), even if you didn’t win a prize.

Thanks, Microsoft, but no thanks.