Medium sent me an email at 8:19 am EST. The subject? “Enter the Medium Writers Challenge.” Instantly my antennae went up 1. Because I had just been in deep discussions about the Medium platform for the better part of this week and 2. Because “why send this email to me?”
As far as I'm aware, this competition isn't for fiction. Their use of 'storytelling' relates primarily to creative non-fiction and essay writing. Medium still doesn't seem to have much interest in fiction writing.
And I don't think there's anything in here which precludes you from earning any more from the submission during the 1 year period. They explicitly state that you will still earn money through the Partner programme, for example, via its publication on Medium.
I believe this is all non-exclusive as well, so you could theoretically publish it in other places and make money elsewhere. Though practically selling an essay which you've already licensed to Medium wouldn't really happen.
I'm not aiming to defend the terms that online platforms use, all of which are dubious at best, but I'm not sure this contest is quite as dodgy as perhaps you thought?
What I'd REALLY like to see is some kind of global agreement of terms for how platforms can use content from creators. Something which is far more flexible, and which protects both the creator and the platform holder. At the moment platforms are often forced into stating rather unpleasant terms in order to protect themselves, which is a lose-lose situation for everyone.
So this reminds me of Reedsy's abusive terms of use for their popular writing contest. The language is VERY similar:
"Each entrant retains the copyright to their entry but grants, represents, and warrants a non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, publish, and otherwise use the entry on any platforms, in accordance with these Terms of Use, and as otherwise necessary to fulfill the delivery of the prize and facilitation of the Contest."
... and also...
"By submitting an entry, you agree that Reedsy may at its sole discretion edit, adapt, abridge, or translate the entry for the purposes listed in these terms and conditions."
This is all from Section 2 of their terms. You can check the full text here:
I'd argue that this is worse than what Medium's doing, because of the 'perpetual' thing, but they're both terrible.
My suggestion: everyone should submit to Medium's contest a short one-liner along the lines of 'Screw you.' or 'This sucks.' or whatever else strikes your fancy LOL. Maybe add an extract of their terms, to make sure they know what it's about.
Thank you for explaining this in detail. :)
Just a couple of points -
As far as I'm aware, this competition isn't for fiction. Their use of 'storytelling' relates primarily to creative non-fiction and essay writing. Medium still doesn't seem to have much interest in fiction writing.
And I don't think there's anything in here which precludes you from earning any more from the submission during the 1 year period. They explicitly state that you will still earn money through the Partner programme, for example, via its publication on Medium.
I believe this is all non-exclusive as well, so you could theoretically publish it in other places and make money elsewhere. Though practically selling an essay which you've already licensed to Medium wouldn't really happen.
I'm not aiming to defend the terms that online platforms use, all of which are dubious at best, but I'm not sure this contest is quite as dodgy as perhaps you thought?
What I'd REALLY like to see is some kind of global agreement of terms for how platforms can use content from creators. Something which is far more flexible, and which protects both the creator and the platform holder. At the moment platforms are often forced into stating rather unpleasant terms in order to protect themselves, which is a lose-lose situation for everyone.
So this reminds me of Reedsy's abusive terms of use for their popular writing contest. The language is VERY similar:
"Each entrant retains the copyright to their entry but grants, represents, and warrants a non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, publish, and otherwise use the entry on any platforms, in accordance with these Terms of Use, and as otherwise necessary to fulfill the delivery of the prize and facilitation of the Contest."
... and also...
"By submitting an entry, you agree that Reedsy may at its sole discretion edit, adapt, abridge, or translate the entry for the purposes listed in these terms and conditions."
This is all from Section 2 of their terms. You can check the full text here:
https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/terms/
I'd argue that this is worse than what Medium's doing, because of the 'perpetual' thing, but they're both terrible.
My suggestion: everyone should submit to Medium's contest a short one-liner along the lines of 'Screw you.' or 'This sucks.' or whatever else strikes your fancy LOL. Maybe add an extract of their terms, to make sure they know what it's about.
Maybe they'll get a clue, then?