Photographers are being asked to boycott musician Peter Gabriel's current tour because of the contracts they have been asked to sign.

The European Federation of Journalists, the regional group of the International Federation of Journalists, claim the contracts amount to a "copyright grab".

They claim the terms give photographers permission to use their pictures once and in one media only, as well as providing for the transfer of all rights to the tour management for unlimited use while the liability for the pictures remains with the photographers.

Federation general secretary Aidan White said: "The contract contains provisions which clearly contradict European copyright legislation and the International Berne Convention for the protection of literary and artistic works, thus challenging the long stated rule according to which the creator of a work shall remain the author.

"The defence and enhancement of the established and traditional intellectual property rights of creators must be strongly respected."

The tour started last month in Hamburg and will roll across Europe, including the UK.

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