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Lady Gaga Demands Rights to Concert Photos

Media outlets are not happy about Lady Gaga’s new photo release form, which demands that photographers sign over the rights to the concert photos they take.

A photographer from TBD.com went to the singer’s Washington, D.C., show and was handed a mostly-standard photo release form. He made a call to his editors, though, upon reading the form’s fourth paragraph:

“Photographer hereby acknowledges and agrees that all right, title and interest (including copyright) in and to the Photograph(s) shall be owned by Lady Gaga and Photographer hereby transfers and assigns any such rights to Lady Gaga.”

Westcott’s editor told him not to sign the release or shoot the concert. The pair wrote an article on TBD’s website explaining their decision and even posting the exact form Westcott was given.

Gaga is not the first to have this kind of provision. The Foo Fighters and the Beastie Boys, both of which are represented by Nasty Little Man publicity firm, have had photographers agree to similar stipulations. Steve Martin, owner of Nasty Little Man, said these kinds of clauses are up to each band and their managers. Those who choose to use them are usually trying to avoid getting stuck with a huge bill when they want to use the photos for releases or merchandise.

The agreement has raised debate over who truly owns photo rights. One side argues that as the performer and subject of the photos, Gaga’s demands are reasonable. Besides, photographers already surrender the rights of their photos to their employers. The opposing side argues that the photos give the artists free press as a result of the photographer’s hard work; they say it seems unfair to specifically target only professional photographers.

"Everyone has a camera at concerts these days," said Kyle Gustafson, a freelance photographer who shoots for the Washington Post. "And it’s unfortunate that they are trying to crack down on the professional photographers. People that are given photo access have more restrictions than people sitting in the front row with their cameras and their flashes popping off."

 

 

Main Photo Courtesy: Lady Gaga

 

 

Photo Courtesy: Lady Gaga

 

Photo Courtesy: Lady Gaga

 

Photo Courtesy: Lady Gaga

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