Pro-Imaging, the photographers’ discussion and campaigning group has forced The Crown Estate into a climb down over the terms of a ‘rights-grabbing’ photographic competition.

The What’s Great about Britain photographic competition initially required entrants to give the Crown Estate and their partners exclusive rights to use their photographs. and to give up their legal right to be identified as the creator of the image.

While Pro-Imaging initially received no response to a letter sent to the Crown Estate’s Chief Executive Roger Bright, one of the rules for the competition was subsequently changed – allowing the Crown Estate to use the photographs forever, instead of just for a year.

In a statement released this afternoon, Pro-Imaging said: “Pro-Imaging is pleased to have reached agreement with The Crown Estate and is assured that The Crown Estate always respect the rights of photographers.”

Pro-Imaging has established a “Bill of Rights” for photographic competitions as a set of principles by which the fairness of the terms a competition can be judged. These can be seen on the Pro-Imaging website. Following the discussions with the Crown Estate, Pro-Imaging is now approving the terms of the competition.

Last year, the Crown Estate made a profit of over £211m. The board members of The Crown Estate are appointed by Buckingham Palace and the Prime Minister’s Office.