Management for many high profile artists have photographers for media outlets sign contracts in order to cover concerts, but Guns N’ Roses’ agreement appears to have upset a Swiss online magazine called Negative White, who care boycotting the concert and have uploaded GNR management’s contract.
The contract states that photographers are only allowed to publish 6 pictures in their outlet in ‘minimum web size,’ and can never be republished again. The photographer then gives up their right to the pictures, which belong to Guns N’ Roses after that.
The protocols state that all media will shoot from the secondary barricade, front of house no pit, and that at no time should media be roaming through the stadium without an escort.
Representatives for Axl Rose sent out several DMCA notices via Web Sheriff last year requesting that what has become known as the ‘Fat Axl’ meme photo be taken down last year. Rose originally employed the Web Sheriff in June 2016 for a DMCA notice to Google, essentially claiming ownership of the concert photo—taken in Winnipeg, Canada, in 2010—that became the basis of the ‘Fat Axl’ meme.
“We can gladly confirm that all official / accredited photographers at [Axl Rose] shows sign-off on ‘Photography Permission’ contracts / ‘Photographic Release’ agreements which A. specify and limit the manner in which the photos can be exploited and B. transfer copyright ownership in such photos to AR’s relevant service company,” Web Sheriff told TorrentFreak in a 2016 statement. Guns N’ Roses is initially referred to as BVF, Inc.
Web Sheriff also said even if the photos were taken unauthorized, ownership would still be in question.
“[If a photographer] was there and taking shots without permission or authority, then other considerations / factors would come-into-play as to what such individuals can and cannot do in terms of attempting to commercially exploit the resultant images of someone else’s show.”
