Rules (Terms & Conditions)

Rules (Terms & Conditions)

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 The International Garden Photographer of the Year competition (‘the Competition’) is an annual competition and set of smaller competitions open to everyone except those involved in its organisation. The entries submitted into IGPOTY competitions are judged based on skill. The organisers of the Competition are Mirror Plate Media Ltd (Trading as International Garden Photographer of the Year and/or IGPOTY) (‘we/us’), a company incorporated in England and Wales under company number 12324935 and registered for VAT No.: GB 344472009. VAT is accounted for where applicable. For UK customers VAT is included at 20%, except in the case of Book sales which are zero-rated.


1.2 By entering into the Competition you agree to abide by the following rules (‘Rules’).


1.3 All entries must be uploaded via www.igpoty.com (‘the Site’). Please see the individual (currently open) category pages for more information about how to do this. By registering on this website and providing your e-mail address you agree to receive competition news and IGPOTY promotions - you may unsubscribe at any time by using the opt-out link at the bottom of e-mails. However, by doing this you may affect the ability for us to contact you about any potential awards/wins.


1.3b General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

By registering with and/or uploading entries to this website you are required to read this page and agree to the rules and this section concerning use of your personal data. Any personal information you provide to us will be held in accordance with the The Data Protection Act/GDPR/PECR.

  • i. IGPOTY (Mirror Plate Media Ltd) collects your contact details such as name, address, e-mail address with the sole purpose of administering/promoting our competitions and exhibitions and fulfilling digital and physical product purchases made on this website. By providing this information you are consenting to letting IGPOTY contact you and to store your data in accordance with The Data Protection Act/GDPR/PECR.
  • ii. You have the right to request the information we hold about you, you may view/amend the majority of this info either from 'My Account', then 'Edit your account' button or if you have created a profile as well then visit 'My Dashboard' and then click on the Profile link. You can edit this information/hide its visibility at any time by pressing the 'Edit this Photo profile' button. We have added a system for you to request data, the export will be provided in a machine-readable format within a reasonable time frame. ID may be required. Data request form at: https://igpoty.com/data-request/.
  • iii. You have the right to request deletion of your IGPOTY account, you can do this by logging in, then visiting (and completing) the dedicated data removal form at: https://igpoty.com/data-removal/ – this will be done in a reasonable time frame, up to 1 month later. ID may be required if you do not login. Please note: that once an account has been deleted, this does not affect the legal obligation for us to store any applicable transactional data (which may contain personal information), for a period of 6 whole financial years from the end of the financial year the transaction relates to.
  • iiii. Subprocessor Security - before using any partners/data hosts/IT subprocessors, IGPOTY conducts checks of the security and privacy practices of subprocessors to ensure subprocessors provide a level of security and privacy appropriate to their access to data and the scope of the services they are engaged to provide.

 

A summary of our key data partners:

* Our web development is by Fotoura Ltd, based in the UK and is under contract;

* The IGPOTY website is hosted on UK data centres with Krystal Hosting (GDPR compliant),

* Additionally, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is used for photo hosting (GDPR compliant),

* Google LLC; we use Google Apps which has Privacy Shield certification and is GDPR ready. In addition, we have legitimate interest to protect our website and personal data from fraud/spam/bots, and we use Google reCAPTCHA v.3/v.2 on certain forms on this website, which are used to check whether user actions on our online service (such as submitting registration/contact forms) meet our security requirements/to mitigate fraud/spam/bots. Google reCAPTCHA v.3 for the most part works automatically, however certain users may be required to complete a Captcha. In order to determine which pages/forms use Google reCAPTCHA v.3, you will see their logo on the bottom of the browser page. Google reCAPTCHA v.3 collects information such as; device/application data, IP address and analyses mouse movements/clicks and sends it to Google to determine the legitimacy of human users. Use of Google reCAPTCHA v.3 is subject to the Google Privacy Policy – https://policies.google.com/privacy and Terms of Use – https://policies.google.com/terms

* PayPal – as payments provider, HQ in the US, GDPR compliant. For clarity; this means that IGPOTY never collects any of your card details.

* Sinch (Mailgun Technologies) for (temporary) automated system e-mails, HQ in the US and are GDPR compliant; 

* We use MailerLite for e-mail list management, they are based in the EU and are GDPR compliant,

* For our Virtual Exhibitions, IGPOTY uses the services of an externally hosted provider: Kunstmatrix Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany - who follow the GDPR. https://art.kunstmatrix.com/en/info/privacy-policy

* Royal Mail Group Plc (GDPR compliant) and Post Office Ltd (GDPR compliant) – to fulfil book orders and general necessary competition correspondence. For these purposes your name, address and e-mail address may be temporarily shared with them. For physical gift orders, IGPOTY has a contractual necessity to fulfil these orders by receiving recipient names and postal addresses (who may or may not be a registered user with us) from customers and temporarily sharing these with the aforementioned delivery suppliers.

Non-registered users (as defined above), can contact us regarding their data at: admin@igpoty.com

* Please note: for our exhibition partners and sponsors - if your (private) personal information is required for competition/exhibition/prize purposes to be passed on, then permission will be asked each time.

* Cookies are used for core site functionality, to aid login and purchases, to better understand how visitors use the website and to optimise the website. For a full list of currently used cookies and our Cookie Policy please see the pop-up banner powered by Termly Inc., a Delaware US Corporation (GDPR compliant).

* Other trusted third-parties such as accountants in order to meet our financial/legal obligations.

* The IGPOTY office is based in England, United Kingdom.


  • V. Breach Notification - in the unlikely case of a personal data breach, IGPOTY shall without undue delay and, where feasible, not later than 72 hours after having become aware of it, notify the personal data breach to the supervisory authority competent in accordance with Article 55, unless the personal data breach is unlikely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.
  • VI. Login Security - it is the responsibility of all users of this website to protect their login details. We recommend that you use a unique password for this website of suitable length (ideally 12 characters plus) and strength (with at least one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, one number and one special character), avoiding using words or numbers that relate to you. It is all users responsibility to make sure that they are only logging into/using the IGPOTY website at its official URL, which will show in your browser beginning: "https://igpoty.com/". Do not login to the IGPOTY website via embedded webpages or frames, (IGPOTY denies this permission). Please note, under legitimate interest (to ensure network and information security) when using this website your IP address may be logged by IGPOTY.
  • VII. YGPOTY and youth entrants - although entrants' images for YGPOTY must be aged 17 and under - we require that a parent/guardian MUST register first and provide personal information relating to the adult on behalf of the youth/this applies to any other youth competitions IGPOTY may run.
  • VIII. Profiles - an adult may set the visibility of their IGPOTY profile at any time (by using the 'Edit this Photo profile' button) on their profile - to hidden, subscriber-view or public view. Anyone aged under 18 should not create/display a profile.
  • VIIII. Profiles/suitable content - IGPOTY profiles are provided solely for the use of entrants to promote their IGPOTY awards and their own photography via description and links. Any other commercial links, marketing, blogging and/or inappropriate content will be removed and your profile may be deleted. All profiles are moderated before being made public. Nevertheless, if user accounts or profiles fall inactive (not logging in at least once in the last 3 years nor entering any competition) then IGPOTY has the right to remove said user accounts or profiles at its discretion.

 

1.4 No uploaded images or data will be returned. Non-awarded images will not be used in any IGPOTY exhibitions nor printed material. However, any entry numbers, name of entries, captions, metadata or names of entrants may be published on the IGPOTY website to maintain entry records and to run the competitions. In addition, all entry thumbnails/information may be kept on entrant's private account history, unless GDPR notification is received to remove them/close account.


1.5 You can use any type of camera or mobile phone to create your images, providing that the minimum image requirements set out below in '6.2.1' are met. It is recommended that you use the highest image quality setting your camera can achieve.


1.6 For any competition opening dates, please check each respective category page (exact opening times vary on the dates published). The closing date for entries to the main categories of the annual IGPOTY competition is the date: 31st October at 12 Midday/GMT in that year (this only applies to the Main Competition). Any competition entry dates may change prior to opening for entries and deadlines can be extended and will be communicated.


1.7 The closing dates for the ongoing Photo Projects competitions are shown on each respective category page, the closing time is still at 12 Midday/GMT. The closing dates for Special Awards are listed on each respective special award category page, the closing time is still at 12 Midday/GMT. Any competition entry dates may change prior to opening for entries and deadlines can be extended and will be communicated.


1.8 Entries that have won awards/prizes in any other photography competition (including IGPOTY competitions) may be disqualified at the discretion of the organisers (depending on level of exposure). Likewise, if your entries have been made available for sale on commercial stock libraries for long periods of time/have gained significant exposure then they too may be disqualified.

If in doubt photographers are asked to request a ruling from the organisers before submitting - by e-mail to: admin@igpoty.com. Disqualified entry fees will not be refunded. N.B. - the only valid e-mail address to send correspondence relating to the competition/s to is: admin@igpoty.com


1.9 The annual adult IGPOTY competition categories, the 'Portfolios' competition and the Photo Projects are open to anyone aged 18 or over, EXCLUDING the following; owners/shareholders/employees of Mirror Plate Media Ltd (and their partners and family), judges, consultants, employees of RBG Kew, any employees of sponsors or 1st party partners of the competition. For Special Awards terms please see the respective category pages.

 


2. ENTRY FEES

2.1 Entry to the Garden Photographer of the Year Competition is subject to payment of entry fees, depending on which section of the Competition, and in which category, you wish to enter.


2.2 The sections of the Competition and the entry fees are as follows:

2.2.1 Young Garden Photographer of the Year (if it runs) (17 and under only) - single image only:

(a) Up to 4 images in any category: £5 per category.

(b) A further 4 images in any one category: £5 per category.

2.2.2 International Garden Photographer of the Year- main category or photo project single image (known as 'Single Entry'):

(a) Up to 4 images in any one main category or photo project: £16 per category.

(b) A further 4 images in any additional category: £16 per category.

You can enter as many images in as many categories as you like, but please note Photo Projects are stand-alone competitions. For more information see Help.

2.2.3 International Garden Photographer of the Year - Portfolio: must contain a set of 6 themed images.

(a) 1 portfolio in the Portfolios competition: £30

(b) Over 1 portfolio: £30 per extra portfolio

You can enter as many portfolios in the Portfolios competition as you like, but please note the Portfolios category is a stand-alone competition. For more information see Help.


2.3 Special Awards - please check the individual special award pages for prices and terms as they are stand-alone competitions. The currently open categories of the Competition are shown here: https://igpoty.com/enter-garden-photography-competition-now/


2.4 Payment of entry fees can be made by any means specified on the Site.


2.5 Payment must be made in British Pounds (GBP), or your local denominated currency via PayPal. Sales tax if applicable at the time of purchase will be accounted for afterwards. The exchange rate applied between British Pounds and other currencies will be that defined by the banking system/PayPal at the time of purchase. Mirror Plate Media Ltd does not exercise any control over these rates.


2.6 Refunds - see '12. Refund Policy'.


2.7 Entry Reviews (Feedback) are a paid service - see shop for current prices. Due to possible conflict with results, entry reviews (no matter when purchased) can only be delivered after the respective competition/category/photo project results have been announced to the public. So please expect a delay between purchase and delivery of all entry reviews - this is normal due to competition timings. The deadline for entry reviews to be delivered is: July 31st in the year following the competition closure.


2.8 50% of entry fees from 'Plants & Planet' category only (if it runs in a competition year) will be donated to WeForest after the competition has closed and after applicable tax and payment fees have been deducted.

 

3. WINNING ENTRIES

3.1 The entries to the Competition in each section mentioned above will be judged as follows:

3.1.1 The winner of the Young Garden Photographer of the Year Award (if it runs) will be the person 17 and under whose image or images are judged as the best submitted by entrants 17 and under across all the categories;

3.1.2 The 'Overall Winner' of the International Garden Photographer of the Year Award will be the entrant whose image is judged to be the best from all the 'Single Entry' main category 1st places. The Head Judge's decision is final.

3.1.3 The winner of the International Garden Photographer of the Year Portfolios 1st Place, will be the entrant whose portfolio is judged as the best portfolio submitted into the 'Portfolios' competition category.

3.1.4 The winner of Special Awards categories will be judged according to the criteria of those individual categories.


3.2 Please note that entrants for the Young Garden Photographer of the Year Award must be 17 or under on 31st October in the competition year. All Young Garden Photographer of the Year Award winners may be required to provide proof of age to the Competition organisers. Please ask your parent or guardian for consent before entering.


3.3 There will be one winner (1st Place) and two runners up in each category (2nd and 3rd Places).


3.4 Awarded entries in the Photo Projects will not be considered for a second time in the main competition judging, however non-awarded entries will be judged if entered via the purchase of new slots. Please note, only Single Entries are judged and are eligible for the photo project awards and prize money. However any Portfolios entered will be judged as part of the main IGPOTY Portfolios post October 31st and may qualify for that prize and associated RPS medals/certificates.

 

4. CRITERIA FOR ENTRY

4.1 The system allocates a unique number to each of your images for identification. If you wish to add title and captions to your entries, please follow instructions on the website for naming your files. For more information see Help


4.2 Image files (low-res) should be uploaded to the Site as jpeg format at 1920 pixels along the longest length and no bigger than 6MB in size. No responsibility can be taken by the organisers for images that are incorrectly submitted. High-res files (if required at later judging stages) will be requested from shortlisted photographers.


4.3 High-res image files have a maximum direct upload size of 10MB. For larger files - provide a link in the appropriate external link field (using a web-based file transfer platform provider to produce said link).


4.4 Post-capture processes by software such as Adobe Photoshop is allowed, except for the purpose of claiming an artificial subject to be natural. All shortlisted entrants will be required to declare the extent of any post-capture techniques used. Digital manipulation is allowed. We will ask shortlisted entrants for details of the manipulation used. You are not allowed to claim a subject to be unmanipulated if it has been.


4.5 For the avoidance of doubt - IGPOTY does not accept any images of taxidermied animals, or that have been photographed using live bait, no captured animals, nor use of animal models.


4.6 It is the entrants responsibility to ensure that images and text field contents are correctly submitted to the IGPOTY website.


Please check each category brief and specific rules before entering, in particular YGPOTY is only open to those aged 17 and under and any entries to this youth category are not eligible for any adult IGPOTY competition prizes. In addition some Special Awards may be entrant age-limited.


4.7 Photo capture dates – i.e. - the age of the photos you entered – there is no maximum date of capture for the main IGPOTY competition categories, providing that the minium quality guidelines are adhered to (see section 6.2.1). (Please note certain Categories, Photo Projects, and Special Awards may have specific rules that limit the age of when entries were taken).


4.8 Regarding AI (Artificial Intelligence) software and systems - IGPOTY expressly prohibits the use of such software and systems used solely to produce an image/photograph. However, general photo editing software or 'intelligent' plug-ins may be used to enhance an existing photograph you have produced via your own photographic equipment, providing that these manipulations have been declared. For clarity – this means you can use plug-ins to enhance the image data you have already created/captured. It also means you may not use any AI-based plug-ins to generate add-in objects, images, vectors or content of any kind.


4.9 If you enter a photograph, you agree any photographs (and entry information) uploaded may be retained on the IGPOTY website as a record of entries, to opt-out entrants would need to file a GDPR removal request. Removal does not apply to awarded entries. Notwithstanding, all non-winning entries will be removed within 2 full competition years.

 

5. JUDGING

5.1 A panel of judges will assess all images. The Head Judge's decision is final. Winners for the main competition will be announced in February of the next year after the competition has closed, however special award results will be revealed on their own schedules.


5.2 As far as reasonably possible, all judging will be performed on a 'blind' basis (meaning the judges will not be shown the entrants' names, until afterwards).

 

6. SHORTLISTED IMAGES

6.1 After judging, all shortlisted entrants will be contacted to verify:

6.1.1 quality of original image file; and

6.1.2 age (if entered into Young Garden Photographer of the Year).


6.2 Shortlisted entrants that do not meet the criteria set out below will be disqualified:

6.2.1 You must have taken the picture on a camera that will enable good quality prints to be made from them for the exhibition. This means that if your photograph is shortlisted, you will need to supply higher quality images:

Here is a guide:

* Absolute Minimum- JPEG, quality: high, at 300 ppi (pixels per inch) the image needs to be 3780 pixels (longest side) .

* Ideal- JPEG-12, Adobe RGB (1998) colour profile at 300 ppi (pixels per inch) the image needs to be at least 4961 pixels (longest side) and above would enable us to make larger prints if desired.)

Images scanned from transparencies or negatives are also welcome, please follow the above guidelines.

6.2.2 Please note; that the name we have on your IGPOTY account registration – under 'My user account' is the name that we will publish/credit you as (if you are awarded). IGPOTY profiles are separate and are not used for credit purposes. No responsibility can be taken by the organisers for images that are incorrectly submitted.


6.3 All photographers on the shortlist will be contacted by e-mail in due course after the competition/s close. They will then be told the specific deadline per category for submitting high-res and metadata in the competition year. Failure to produce a high-resolution file of the correct size within the designated time period may eliminate an entrant from the shortlist. However, every effort is made by the organisers to ensure the files can be sent in time.


6.4 If you enter a photograph, you agree any photographs (and entry information) uploaded may be retained on the IGPOTY website as a record of entries, to opt-out entrants would need to file a GDPR removal request. Removal does not apply to awarded entries.

 

7. WINNERS

7.1 Winners will be chosen from among those shortlisted entrants who have met the image quality criteria. All winners will be notified by e-mail. A prize presentation ceremony will be held on a date and venue to be announced - only higher placed winners/those with images actually exhibited at the launch venue will be invited.


7.2 The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Should the entries in any category fall below the standard required by the Competition organisers and the judges, then the organisers reserve the right not to award prizes. In the event that the number of entries received into any category falls below a reasonable number then IGPOTY reserves the right to cancel said category and refund entrants.

 

8. COPIES

Please ensure that you keep copies of submitted images. The organisers will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe storage and back up of entries, but cannot be held responsible for exceptional circumstances including Acts of God.

 

9. PRIZES

9.1 Main Prizes. Please read the Prizes section within each category. Prizes and/or sponsors/partners may be added at any time during the Competition year. Partners and/or sponsors and their names associated with/to any categories/competitions may be subject to change at any time, any prizes withstanding.


9.2 There is no cash alternative and none of the prizes are transferable, except at the discretion of IGPOTY. Only one camera prize per person regardless of number of categories awarded in. Camera/phone prizes may be subject to change due to stock levels and exact model may change prior to despatch. The deadline for paying/sending prizes out is: July 31st in the year after the competition closes. For cash prizes, we will make all reasonable attempts to contact winners, the default payment method is via PayPal to the e-mail entered with, and will be made in British Pounds (GBP) only. Any bank/currency charges will be paid by the winners automatically from the prize amount. Overall winning prize of £4,000 will be paid in 2 instalments. Winners must reply to us by the above date or risk forfeiting prize.

For category non cash-prizes (e.g.- cameras, phones) which may require posting to winners - we will only post these prizes to UK winners and make alternative arrangements/prize for non-UK winners.

Best Single Image (Overall Winner) is chosen from one of the main category winners - maximum prize: £4,000. Entries from 'Portfolios', Special Awards and Photo Projects are not eligible and are excluded. No alternatives/extras or camera prize for the overall winner.

Best Overall Portfolio winner is chosen from one of the shortlisted Portfolios entered in the 'Portfolios' category only - maximum prize: £1,000. No alternatives/extras or camera prize for the overall portfolio winner.

1st Place Winner (Singles Only) in an IGPOTY Photo Project: £250 (Photo Project prizes will be paid out a maximum of 6 calendar months after the respective results have been announced).

All 1st Place Winners in a main IGPOTY category (that appear in a physically printed IGPOTY book (from Collection 17 onwards) are entitled to receive 1x free copy of 1 annual IGPOTY book in that competition year in which their photo appears (only if a book is physically printed, excludes print-on-demand and eBooks). Postage (especially International, may be charged as an extra).

All other awarded places (that appear in a physically printed IGPOTY book (from Collection 17 onwards)) are entitled to receive a coupon code for a 20% discount off the RRP of 1 copy of 1 annual IGPOTY book in that competition year in which their photo appears (only if a book is physically printed, excludes print-on-demand and eBooks). All postage is charged as an extra.

The image chosen as the book cover each year will receive 1x free prize copy of the book (if a book is physically printed, excludes print-on-demand and eBooks).


9.3 The mounting of any International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition is planned each year but is executed at the discretion of Mirror Plate Media Ltd. The mounting of any exhibition/running of workshops/talks/events is subject to prevailing circumstances at the time which may be affected by the weather or pandemic/COVID-19, therefore dates may change at short notice and the event may be cancelled, especially due to circumstances beyond our control.


9.4 The publication of a book associated with the International Garden Photographer of the Year is planned each year but is executed at the discretion of Mirror Plate Media Ltd. Obviously if the book is not printed then no book prizes/cash alternatives/discounts will issued. There is not space to include every single awarded photo from a competition year within each book, as a rule a selection of higher-placed awarded photos from main categories, 'Portfolios', and Photo Projects will be prioritised.


9.5 If you are 17 and under (YGPOTY entry), you should first seek relevant permission from parent/guardian and if you win any prizes they must be claimed by parent/guardian on your behalf. YGPOTY entrants cannot win the overall IGPOTY prize.

Adults only: a Portfolio must contain all 6 images.

Please use any IGPOTY main category for theming, however 'Portfolios' is a stand-alone category competition of its own, therefore you cannot win this and the overall IGPOTY prize using the same image/s. In fact, entrants cannot win more than 1 award using the same image/s in any IGPOTY category/competition/photo project/special award. Furthermore, simply changing the colour of an image into black and white/greyscale does not constitute a different image.


9.6 Images are exhibited at touring exhibitions at the discretion of the organisers, Mirror Plate Media Ltd. The organisers cannot guarantee an image will be exhibited. Winning images will be part of the total travelling exhibition content, which goes toward forming a final exhibition. Other factors such as space, time and exhibition method will determine content for each venue and is at the discretion of the organisers.


9.7 Special Award prizes are the responsibility of the venue/partner and will be organised according to each venue/partners timeline.


9.8 'My Offers' - any offers displayed in this section of 'My dashboard' are only available while stocks last and any discount codes may expire without notice because they may be controlled by external/third-party companies/providers.

 

10. COPYRIGHT AND PERMISSIONS

10.1 By submitting images to the Competition, you confirm and warrant that:

10.1.1 you are the sole author of each entry and that it is your original work;

10.1.2 you are the sole owner of the copyright in each image;

10.1.3 you have the permission of those persons or their pets pictured in the image (or, where the image shows any persons under 18, the consent of their parent/guardian) for the usage rights required by International Garden Photographer of the Year and will indemnify International Garden Photographer of the Year against any claims made by any third parties in respect of such infringement;

10.1.4 you have not licensed or disposed of any rights in the image that would conflict with uses to be made by International Garden Photographer of the Year;

10.1.5 you have received any necessary permissions from the owner(s) of property included in submitted images for the usage rights required by International Garden Photographer of the Year;

10.1.6 For the avoidance of doubt - all entrants retain the copyright of any of their images which are entered.

10.1.7 you will be responsible for any claim by any third party in respect of your entry.

10.1.8 You agree not to use, or permit the use of, any images taken of or from National Trust sites for any purpose other than entering this competition or your own personal use. You expressly agree not to use such images for commercial purposes such as sale or license to third parties.

 

11. USAGE AND LICENSING OF AWARDED PHOTOGRAPHS

11.1 If you enter a photograph, you agree any photographs (and entry information) uploaded may be retained on the IGPOTY website as a record of entries, to opt-out entrants would need to file a GDPR removal request. Removal does not apply to awarded entries.


11.2 If your image is shortlisted you will be requested to send your high-res image(s) to us.

For the avoidance of doubt only awarded images will be promoted/publicised. Press coverage is normally widely received each year, but obviously the scope of this cannot be guaranteed. Use of awarded photographs and photographer names and any associated data, text or metadata is permitted by International Garden Photographer of the Year, or any of its partners, sponsors or exhibition hosts only to promote the competition and to show exhibitions; this includes the production of books, posters, cards, or calendars (which are seen as legitimate ways of promoting the contest and defraying costs).


11.3.1 You grant International Garden Photographer of the Year and its supporting partners a non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free licence to reproduce, enlarge, publish, bring within printable colour gamut, make ready for print/or any publication, and exhibit on any media, the photographs and their accompanying text (which we reserve the right to edit)/metadata for any purpose connected with the Competition. This may include, but is not limited to:

(a) inclusion on the Site and on the websites of sponsors and supporters;

(b) inclusion in associated books;

(c) display at any associated exhibitions;

(d) use in press releases to be distributed to national, regional & specialist press giving information about or promoting the Competition.

11.3.2 You also agree that the organisers can sub-license images to the media for reproduction in connection with the Competition and Exhibition only. International Garden Photographer of the Year will make every effort to ensure that name credits are given to any photograph published in any medium.

11.3.3 If there is a plan for images to be used on any merchandise which falls outside the scope of the above promotional uses then IGPOTY will ask photographer's permission first and will be subject to separate agreement(s) which will be discussed individually with photographers.

 

12. REFUND POLICY & TERMS OF SALE

 12. REFUND POLICY & TERMS OF SALE

 

12.1 You have the right to cancel your purchase of physical products, within fourteen (14) days of making a physical item purchase, and 14 days to return the item/s back, once this happens you will receive a refund within 14 days. For physical products, the cost of return postage must be borne by the customer, except in the instance where physical products received are faulty.

IGPOTY offers you the ability to cancel your digital purchases within seven (7) days of making them – please allow 2 working days for processing the refund.

However, you may not cancel digital (entry slot) purchases (digital purchases) within 48 hours or less of the named competition closing (nor after it has closed). You may not cancel purchases of Entry Reviews once they have been written, nor after seven (7) days of purchase. Directly sold workshop/talk/event tickets are not suitable for refund, unless the event is cancelled/rescheduled. IGPOTY reserves the right to cancel any workshop/talk/event due to a lack of a reasonable number of bookings, and if directly sold by IGPOTY, then you will be given a full refund by IGPOTY.

Any purchased entry slots expire on October 31st in the competition year and cannot be carried over to future competitions.

Please send a refund request to admin@igpoty.com, quoting your order number using the e-mail address you used to purchase, providing your full name and quoting the category and image title (if applicable). If you have uploaded a portfolio - please also provide the portfolio title. In the case of physical product/s – the name of the product/s purchased. In the case of workshops - please provide the name and date of the event.


12.2 For the sale of any physical items/books, delivery fees are extra and the price will be shown during the checkout stage in your shopping basket (price will depend upon the delivery location). Please note: for orders via this website – combined delivery of physical items/books is not available. For International customers only (non-UK): as you are the purchaser (importer) any orders of physical items/books, which may be subject to additional customs fees/duties/tax if applicable locally, will be payable by you.

13. PUBLICITY

 13. PUBLICITY

 

13.1 All awarded winners agree to take part in post-Competition publicity.


13.2 International Garden Photographer of the Year reserves the right to remove any entries from the Competition that it feels may breach or contravene laws of public decency or may bring the Competition or the Competition’s organisers into disrepute. Such entries will be deemed as void and any fees paid will not be refunded.


13.3 If winning entrants are under 18, they must first seek the permission of their parent/guardian before engaging in any publicity.

 

14. CHANGES TO THE RULES

We reserve the right to amend the Rules and if we do so, we will publish the amended version on the Site. It is the responsibility of all website users/entrants to check regularly to make sure you are aware of any updated information. If you do not agree to any changes to these Rules, then your only remedy is to withdraw from the Competition/ask for a refund (according to Section 12.1)/request removal of your account/profile. (Please note: removal does not apply to winning entries).

 

15. BREACH OF THE RULES

Any breach of these Rules by you will void your entry. If a breach has occurred, but is discovered after the award of a prize, we may require the return of that prize.

Etiquette - Mirror Plate Media Ltd expects a level of common politeness when IGPOTY staff interacts with entrants, this is also expected of entrants. We do not tolerate rudeness or abusive correspondence/behaviour to staff and we reserve the right to refuse entry to any IGPOTY competition or exhibition based upon our discretion. We also reserve the right to disqualify any entrant deemed to be persona non-grata by either ourselves or via export restriction advice published by the UK government.

 

16. FORCE MAJEURE

Sometimes external events occur in the world which are beyond the control of IGPOTY and sometimes extreme. These may include events such as war, terrorism, earthquakes, hurricanes, acts of government, travel restrictions, quarantines, trade embargoes, closure of venues/properties, plagues, pandemics or epidemics.

Any of these may affect our ability to deliver products/services as specified. In most cases a reasonable time delay will be imposed in line with government recommended advice.

17. GOVERNING LAW

These Rules and the relationship between you and us shall be governed by English law. Any dispute may be decided by the English courts in England. Only the English language version of these rules shall prevail and be enforceable.

It is entrants responsibility to read all of these rules thoroughly before entering any competition (which have varying dates). If any part of these terms are found to be legally unenforceable, then the remaining parts shall survive.

© Mirror Plate Media Ltd (T/A IGPOTY, International Garden Photographer of the Year) 2023-2024.