Bauer Declares War on Freelances

Bauer music magazines declare war on freelances

Magazine group Bauer are facing a standoff with their 200 freelance music writers and photographers, over a new contract that sees them sign away all copyright.
The document that can be seen in the Press Gazette applies to Kerrang! Q and Mojo, and outlines how freelances are being made to sign away their copyright but still take full responsibility for any legal action that may be taken against them. The NUJ believes this would leave freelance writers completely on their own to face legal action, and many of the writers and photographers are calling this new contract 'unfair'.
Bauer wants to introduce a new contract that,
"Removes copyright and all financial, legal and moral rights from freelances while simultaneously requiring that they provide Bauer with an unlimited lifetime financial indemnity in the event of legal action arising from their work."
They also encourage freelances to, "acquire licenses from their subjects for the company to use their image for its own profit as and when it wishes."
This means that Bauer would have the right to sell the stories or photographs to whoever they want to, without having to make reference to the writers, photographers or even the subjects of the work. The covering letter, sent with the contract to over 200 journalists issues an ultimatum; after April 16th 2010, if the contributors do not sign, they will no longer be commissioned.
The three music magazines involved rely heavily on contributions from freelances so it comes as no surprise that nearly all of the 200 contributors are refusing to sign the contract, being described as 'foolish', 'malicious', and an 'unprovoked and pointless declaration of war on freelancers.'
The three magazines are the first former Emap titles on which Bauer are imposing their new contract; however Managing Director of Bauer’s music titles, Stuart Williams confirmed the company are looking to extend into the other magazines Bauer bought from Emap. Some of which include, Empire, Heat, Closer, Grazia, Match!, FHM and Zoo.
Since a few contributors sent a letter of objection to Bauer the company have told freelances that there will be no further amendments to the contract and the April 16th deadline is final. As a result Bauer now face losing most of its best known music writers and photographers including Q contributing editors Billy Bragg, Miranda Sawyer and John Harris; as well as former Kerrang! editor Paul Brannigan and former Mojo editors Mat Snow and Paul Trynka. Iggy pop biographer Trynka says, "Their behaviour is bizarre and counter productive." And acclaimed photographer Kevin Westenberg said,
"You’ll either have to sign the contract – signing copyright away; sign and be a slave – or not work for them again. I already decided not to sign a long time ago. Never give your rights away. This is your legacy."
The general mood amongst the music freelances is that what Bauer is trying to do is far more than just attack a specific group of music writers and photographers, what they are doing undermines the value of freelance journalism as a whole. It is no secret that being a freelance journalist is tough, and it comes with a number of risks. As well as having a fluctuating income they have to pay for their own equipment, come up with their own office space and training, without any of the statutory sick pay, maternity leave and holiday pay granted to regular staff. What Bauer seem to be doing is all rather odd; do they think that by forcing out all the best journalists they will sell more magazines? From a business point of view it doesn't make a lot of sense.