More or less. Lots of gagging clauses. No talking to anyone about pre auditions or who's at the pre auditions, no media contact, if selected for the tv auditions your song would be picked for you, unlimited editing allowed (so they can create a back story. you know the kind of thing, single parent, mum dying, used to take drugs sort of stuff). Syco has total artist control of music, image, gigs, engagements, press releases. Basically, syco owns you. One interesting clause was an equity/musicians union waiver suggesting that this kind of slavery may be frowned upon by them. It was interesting recently that an x factor spokesman actually admitted that Jedward had been pre auditioned in Ireland prior to their audition with cowell. So much for the conspiracy theory.