Conde Nast/CondeNet Contract: - Releases/Restrictions

Commentary and Analysis continues:

Version OL1	Version OL2
9. Releases/Restrictions: a. Releases: Freelancer will obtain releases, on a form to be obtained from Company, from all persons and owners of property pictured in any of the Works. Freelancer may not agree to any restrictions, limitations, or right to review requested or imposed by any persons, including models, owners of property pictured in the Works, or others. Freelancer will immediately advise Company of any such request or attempted imposition. b. Borrowing Property: Freelancer may not obtain or borrow any objects or property having an aggregate value in excess of $1500, or lease any location, or enter into a legally binding commitment to a third party, on behalf of Company without first obtaining Company’s express written consent. c. Commercial/Advertising Use: Freelancer will not allow any of the Works to be used at any time for any commercial or advertising purpose, whether or not Company’s period of exclusivity has passed, unless Freelancer first obtains Company’s express written consent, which Company may withhold in its sole discretion. d. Subsequent Use: If Freelancer makes any subsequent or other use of any Work, Freelancer is solely responsible for obtaining any necessary releases from any models, persons, or owners of property pictured in the Work. Freelancer will hold Company harmless from and against any claims by any person arising from any subsequent or other use.	2. Releases/Restrictions: Releases: Freelancer will obtain releases, on a form to be obtained from Company, from all persons and owners of property pictured in any of the Works. Freelancer may not agree to any restrictions, limitations, or right to review requested or imposed by any persons, including models, owners of property pictured in the Works, or others. Freelancer will immediately advise Company of any such request or attempted imposition. Borrowing Property: Freelancer may not obtain or borrow any objects or property having an aggregate value in excess of $1500, or lease any location, or enter into a legally binding commitment to a third party, on behalf of Company without first obtaining Company’s express written consent.
COMMENTS: Here you are required to secure releases that are Conde Nast specific. There are many times where this will be problematic. Most people that they would want photographed have lawyers, and the releases you present to them would need to be read by lawyers, and they’d say as much when you presented the release to them. When the release doesn’t get signed, is that going to be satisfactory to Conde Nast? You can bet not. Thus, pursuant to Term 1 “…The results of each assignment must be satisfactory in form and substance to Company…” you are likely to not be paid. Further, in order for you to leverage the images yourself, you'll need to get your own releases signed. It is good that they specify that you can’t enter into any agreements to pre-approve the images, or any property ownership demands. The “Borrowing Property” term is probably in large part, in response to photographers borrowing clothing and jewelry for shots, and the problems that might result. It also may be a limit for contracts in New York State, however, this term inadvertently applies to renting lighting equipment, since they are not specific about what they mean by property. The Commercial/Advertising restriction is a really bad one. It would surely apply to an author who wants to use the portrait you made on the cover of their next book. As a poster, post card, or ad campaign. This is such a significantly onerous restriction, that it essentially restricts all future uses to “editorial”.

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