The Sisters Of Mercy, who return for two nights at The Roundhouse in Camden this weekend, have issued a photo grab contract which, “for the good and valuable consideration of £1,” grants the band the “gratis right” to use the photos “in all media and configurations now or hereafter known.”
MetalTalk were due to cover last night’s show, having covered them in Bristol and The Roundhouse in 2023 with no issue. But the photo contract, issued yesterday by the band’s management two hours before doors were due to open at The Roundhouse, made that impossible.
The Sisters Of Mercy contract reads in full:
“Photographer/Videographer for the rights granted herein, and the good and valuable consideration of £1 hereby acknowledged and received, hereby grants THE SISTERS OF MERCY the gratis right to use and exploit in all media and configurations now or hereafter known, throughout the universe in perpetuity, all pictures, video, and media taken before, during and after the show.
“Artist rights include but are not limited to, Artist’s social media and web
platforms. All pictures, video and media shall be provided to Artist’s management within one business day upon conclusion of the show via email to ……….
“Furthermore, by signing this agreement Photographer/Videographer agrees that s/he will not sell any photos without artist management approval.
“If Photographer/Videographer does not grant these rights s/he will not be allowed access to film or take photos. All rights of Artist are hereby reserved.”
The Sisters Of Mercy – Roundhouse, London – 22 September 2023. Photo Razorrhead Productions/MetalTalk
The contract is a rights grab, where the artist requires that the photographer works for them with no fee.
We reported our experience in the recent unfair example of Marcus King. The Sisters Of Mercy contract follows other recent examples such as Elle King, Foo Fighters and Night Ranger.
The contract allows The Sisters Of Mercy to use the photographs forever, while the photographer cannot commercially use the photos but will receive £1 payment—a real deal.
Many photographers will sign these contacts, giving away rights to their work to add a photo to their portfolio. While photographers sign these, there is no reason for artist management not to issue them.
No MetalTalk photographer is asked to sign these. We would rather miss the show.
The Sisters Of Mercy have been approached for comment.
MetalTalk does not know if the £1 payment was to be by cash, cheque or postal order.
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The Sisters Of Mercy / Photo Rights Grab Contact Offers £1 For Unlimited Use first appeared on
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