Quebec newspaper Le Soleil sent a cartoonist to protest against an “exploitative” contract and Washington City Paper responded by boycotting the recent 4th of July anniversary concert, Consequence of Sound reported today.
The bands contract stated that the photographers have “no right to use or re-use the Photos in whole or in part, in any medium or for any purpose whatsoever.” The photographers would have to agree with the band approving all photos, giving the band “the right to exploit all or a part of the Photos in any and all media, now known or hereafter devised, throughout the universe, in perpetuity, in all configurations” without approval, credit or payment towards the photographer.
The contract failed to meet the photographers halfway, according to Le Soleil, who said:
“Not only could accredited photographers at the show yesterday not publish their work more than once, they had to give up all moral rights.”
The newspaper protested against the contract by sending the cartoonist Francis Desharnais to the show. You can check out his work above and below.
The Washington City commented earlier this month:
“That is exploitation of photographers, pure and simple. If a streaming music service tried to use the band’s music for free, they’d have none of it.”
Likening it to the Taylor-Swift Apple blow up, the article further commented:
“But beyond that, we at the City Paper would be signing over editorial control to the band and their management company. And unless we get to pick the set list, that’s never going to happen.”
Attempting to control performance photography is tricky business in an age where an entire RFK stadium audience is equipped with smart phones and cameras and the capacity to upload and post photos at an unrestricted rate.
Yesterday, Foo Fighters management told The Washington City that the contract is standard. However, it has been deemed “exploitive,” and the general consensus is that it sucks.