Regional publisher Archant East London is reviewing its freelance contracts for photographers amidst a row over ‘rights grabbing.’
The National Union of Journalists has hit out at an “iniquitous” contract which it claims East London has recently introduced for freelance photographers.
According to the union, the contract asks them to waive all rights to their photographs in return for a maximum payment of £35 per picture.
However Archant maintains that the contract in question has been used for many years and is now in the process of being reviewed.
The freelance contract applies to Archant’s local newspapers in East London such as the Hackney Gazette.
It requires that photographers assign to Archant “the entire copyright whether vested contingent or future and all rights of action and all other rights of whatever nature in and to the product of the Services whether now known or in future created to which you are now or may at any time in future be entitled for the entire period of such rights throughout the world together with any renewals reversion and extensions.”
The NUJ’s freelance organiser John Toner said: “The implications are clear: the photographer assigns full copyright to Archant – for £35. This is simply ridiculous, and no photographer will be able to earn a living from this contract.
“In fact, the photographers would be subsidising Archant by working for a fee that does not cover their costs and giving up their right to further income from the work.
“No professional photographer will be able to work under this contract, so Archant will be left with amateurs and hobbyists.
“The quality of the photographs they publish will drop dramatically, and their readers will have to accept publications of an inferior quality.”
An Archant spokesperson said: “The contract referred to is in fact an old contract which has been in place, in Archant’s East London operation only, for many years.
“It is currently being reviewed by the local editorial management team and a new one will be issued once the review is complete.”
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amateurs and hobbyists. they are already here. check your local paper for examples of crap FREE happy snaps greedily gobbled up by bean counters.
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Archant wrote asking me to agree sign-up to a ludicrous rights-waiving contract for freelance feature contributions a couple of years ago. I threw it in the bin. I’ve continued working for them on and off ever since but never again been asked to waive the rights to my work. However, if they’re reviewing their contract procedure, I guess it’s only a matter of time before the postman arrives with another unpleasant surprise. The bin is waiting.
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Archant, eh?
What a bunch!
You couldn’t make it up!
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