Competitions for image collections – the new future?

I almost fell off my chair today – while reading the newspaper (The Age), I noticed a little advertisement on the bottom of one of the pages pointing me towards the “Clique Photographers Association” – it reads like it is a membership club for amateur photographers where you can enter competitions to win prizes. Sounds innocent enough on the surface…

Why did I almost fall off my chair? Well, the site wants people to join the club, submit images that Clique and Fairfax Media can use without restriction (including editing), and they want you to PAY for the privilege ($50 yearly entry fee). I’m sorry, what? Is it just me or does that seem like a couple of very large media companies want amateurs to do their legwork for them, get them to pay for memberships as well, and the images can be used for anything?? Amazing, where do I sign up??