Supercross Photo Rights Grab?!

[Collin C. Chappelle]

I'm preparing to shoot an upcoming Supercross race and just recently I've heard rumors that part of the Liability Waiver (or on some other piece of paperwork) signed by a credentialed photographer includes a holistic rights grab. I've also heard mention to this in respect to Monster Jam and a few other series.

I'm curious how you all would handle this if this is indeed true and I will be asked (i.e. required) to sign to shoot. What if you didn't have the option of not shooting? Thanks.


CCC

[Bill Jurasz]

Are you shooting for yourself or as an employee or contractor for some media outlet? In other words, do you even have the legal authority to sign away the rights like that in the first place?

[John Thawley]

I'm preparing to shoot an upcoming Supercross race and just recently I've heard rumors that part of the Liability Waiver (or on some other piece of paperwork) signed by a credentialed photographer includes a holistic rights grab. I've also heard mention to this in respect to Monster Jam and a few other series.

I'm curious how you all would handle this if this is indeed true and I will be asked (i.e. required) to sign to shoot. What if you didn't have the option of not shooting? Thanks.


CCC

Any real agency or publication will walk away. As would I.

JT

[Collin C. Chappelle]

Are you shooting for yourself or as an employee or contractor for some media outlet? In other words, do you even have the legal authority to sign away the rights like that in the first place?

The agreement I have signed with the publication (as with most, I'm sure) does not grant me the right to sign away image rights. In this specific case, I can walk away as a representative of the publication, but I am indeed there shooting a project for myself and really cannot afford to walk away.

Best advice is to just leave it? Any other options? Just curious so that I'm prepared ahead of time...thanks.

[Todd Corzett]

Maybe you can modify the contract that you sign? I'm sure the series wouldn't like the idea, but if you cross-out the sections that you don't agree too...? For some reason I remember reading about something similar with NFL photographers a few years ago with a contract that had terms the photogs didn't like and many of them modified the agreements they signed.

So if they are granted rights to the images (and not just restricting your usage), how do they get the images so they can use them?

-Todd...

[John Thawley]

Every one complains about telemarketers calling them at home during dinner. DO NOT BLAME the Telemarketers. Blame the person who answered the phone during dinner.

With all due respect to your personal project.... if you sign this waiver, you're screwing us all. Someone needs to step up, get a backbone and bitch. This is pure unadulterated bullshit.

Now... on the other hand, you have yet to state if you've VERIFIED the rumor. How about starting there instead of simply yelling FIRE?

[Darren Pierson]

Well, Collin? I have seen that you were there shooting. How did the waiver read?

-Darren