I'm assuming a significant portion[1][2][3] were not "real" logos, it seems half the first page are the sort of standard someone might pay for and the rest of generally cutesy "logos" that people submitted for fun.

I guess it doesn't change your core point (designers get stiffed in competitions) but it's not as if this case is average -- at least I hope it isn't.

[1] http://99designs.co.uk/logo-design/contests/logo-stackoverfl... [2] http://99designs.co.uk/logo-design/contests/logo-stackoverfl... [3] http://99designs.co.uk/logo-design/contests/logo-stackoverfl...