posted by davidt on Saturday March 21 2009, @07:00PM
An anonymous person sends the link:

Concert Photographers Of The World, Unite! - Make Major Moves

Posted by Michael Alan Goldberg

Well, well, well … I am all credentialed, and was fully prepared, to photograph the Morrissey show at the Academy of Music on Sunday night and post photos here on MMM, but I’ve just received something in my inbox that not only has me likely changing my plans, but has me fuming as well...
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  • Pretty shameful.
    Anonymous -- Saturday March 21 2009, @07:30PM (#325188)
  • And I would probably do the same thing if I were an artist looking to control my public image. It is really in the same vein as the food vendors not being able to sell meat products. At a Morrissey concert EVERYONE is in his employ for that event, with their work product under his control. You are allowed to attend and perform your "work" in whichever way he allows you to. Benefit to you: being able to publish approved photos in the publication that you are there on behalf of. Your credentials do not permit you creative license to take photographic "art" for use at will, but to perform the basic function of printed press. Bottom line, he is the way he is, take it or leave it, with no privileges excepts the ones he grants.
    Anonymous -- Saturday March 21 2009, @08:04PM (#325192)
  • That would soon change management's mind. Corporate greed again.
    maurice -- Saturday March 21 2009, @11:00PM (#325209)
    (User #6984 Info)
  • I've got a friend with a connection to the tour and Moz likes to try to control everything. He's got a small army of lackeys to work on this shit including multiple lawyers. For which he pays thru the nose. I think it's hilarious that the FBI watches him. He had it coming
    Anonymous -- Saturday March 21 2009, @11:37PM (#325212)
  • What? You mean that there's actually a degree of quality control involved in the modern Morrissey experience? I wouldn't have guessed.

    If only Morrissey applied such intense control to his recorded work, this story might seem somewhat dignified.

    The Smoking Popes alluded to Morrissey's precious nature when they were asked to tour with him. I wonder if the past rumors of unpaid roadies, and creditor harassment were true as well.

    Who knows? Morrissey's intense interest in touring over the past decade, even though he is clearly not physically cut our for it, suggests that there are many bills to pay.

    We know he that he is likely disgusted with his fanbase, since he makes little to no effort to communicate with them, so it's the only logical conclusion.

    Anyone who thinks that the global economic collapse hasn't had any affect on Morrissey's financial status, probably needs a lesson in basic economics. He truly has become the standard company man.

    On as sidenote, it's time for him to abandon the cookie cutter, sing-song melodies. It makes him sound like a hack, but as he has stated, he finally feels like he doesn't have to do anything.

    Nick The Name -- Sunday March 22 2009, @01:37AM (#325214)
    (User #20764 Info)
  • "The Photographer hereby transfers and assigns to Company with full title guarantee the entire copyright and all extensions and renewals throughout the world (including by way of present assignment of future rights) and all rights of a similar nature in the Photographs"

    This coming from an industry that wines about people stealing music from the Internet.
    Anonymous -- Sunday March 22 2009, @02:07AM (#325216)
    • Re:what a joke (Score:2, Interesting)

      This exertion of stronger legalised controls over creative contributions seems to be an industry trend, not coming from the artists themselves. It has similarities to the recent debacle with Facebook who backed down from updated terms and conditions claiming ownership of post content by users, following a furore of complaints. Giving the changing shapes of media, it's a complicated area, one on which Brian Eno called for public debate, and the tugs-of-war will go on for quite some time. (Indeed who owns this post?!)
      goinghome -- Sunday March 22 2009, @04:46AM (#325234)
      (User #12673 Info)
  • after all. And I thought it was a fun domainname. The photographer has a point. I have dealt with copyrights here in Europe and frankly, if Morrissey wants to own the copyright, he should pay up. If not, he should not let the photographers in, or stipulate the use of the photos, as would be common in the industry, and as acknowledged by the photographer. I dont agree with the statement that the industry is responsible. The Morrissey management is instructed by Morrissey. Being the controlling person that he is, and his ability to stop things he does not like, I doubt he would be hesitant to set this straight if he was uncomfortable with it. And he hasn't done that now, has he.
    Anonymous -- Sunday March 22 2009, @12:48PM (#325271)
  • Morrissey actually sat down and inked out that contract himself you're insane!
    marred -- Sunday March 22 2009, @02:49PM (#325278)
    (User #16308 Info)
  • It Could Be Worse (Score:2, Informative)

    I remember when Prince hired some lawyers and sent cease and desist letters to fan sites that posted photos. He actually sued his own fans over images they posted of him online.

    He went after them for posting lyrics and album art as well. His lawyers actually asked for compensation from the sites for fans' images of their own tattoos, etc.

    Not only mean-spirited, but stupid as well.
    Anaesthesine -- Monday March 23 2009, @04:51AM (#325334)
    (User #14203 Info)
    If Moz did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.
  • every good band who atracks full venues, have
    a 3 song timeline for pics

    as for film coverage it differs,no one in the UK
    cares where Pete hangs out

    but in Italy [for example, and if he pass the gates] he may an item for the 8 0'clock news show
    or the 23.00 late news show, and mght want to shoot 30 seconds, well Pete doesn't care, but
    other artists/bands who are going and are going on tour [Bruce Springsteen, U2 maybe are always
    news if they do that 1 show in a country]
    Celibate Cry <[email protected]> -- Monday March 23 2009, @08:26AM (#325356)
    (User #220 Info)
    and the hills are alive with celibate cries
  • A very impassioned case from the photographer. But his answer is clear, if that's not the way he wishes to work then he should just find another artist to photograph. Or he could do what the fans do, turn up to the gig with a camera phone and get some shots that way (that's if he were really that desperate to get an original picture).

    Sometimes I think that stirring up trouble has become so old hat, Morrissey doesn't even realise he's doing it. I believe the way people react is still genuinely surprising to him. Yet, like every artist who has been in the public eye for so long, not knowing any different changes your perspective of other people. Why do you think he's so unwilling to alter his band? Believe it or not, no matter how much control we think he exerts, he's still only 'requesting'. He's not God. If people feel it goes against their beliefs then they can (and should) take their business elsewhere and he'll do the same.

    So Morrissey has a reputation as a difficult artist. Big deal, most interesting public figures do. The problem with acquiring a reputation is it then becomes difficult to shake off. I've heard (and this may not be true) that he sometimes lives up to it just to annoy people. Often you spend ages learning about someone and their 'reputation' only to find that meeting them is almost a disappointment; they're not half as intimidating or difficult as you imagined. One of the band once said to me, Morrissey was the best boss they'd ever had. Make of that what you will.
    Mozzersgirl -- Monday March 23 2009, @08:39AM (#325358)
    (User #14229 Info)
    "There's more evil in the charts than in an al-Qaeda suggestion box" - Bill Bailey
  • LOL this is to cool.. Right On Morrissey!
    Your Lyric that came to my mind is
    *I Am Mine!*

    People are always ready to make a buck at others expense. In this case yours.
    They will go to extremes!
    and all for the god of money.

    Which yes, I agree that no matter what we all sadly have to work for the man.

    Yes, it is unfair to many , But most are just greedy assholes in one way or another.. They do not have to be rich.. They just have to be a Bigmouth! A Cruel and mean person that has minds of ruining peoples lives.
    And I am proud that you take precautions.. You do not have to take anybodies , tsk tsk, excuse me, crap.
    Yes, shit happens but if you can prevent it you will not purposely step into it! :)

    All I hope is that you do good with the money you are making if it is a lot.
    I don't know.
    Just do not die with a bunch of checks in the kitchen drawer! Sheech, I have heard of some crazy stories!
    Well yes, That truly would be shameful.

    We are not getting any younger.
    Marisela -- Monday March 23 2009, @09:58AM (#325372)
    (User #1865 Info)
  • would you want to take his picture now ?

    The best ones have already been taken.
    Just look at him.
    Anonymous -- Monday March 23 2009, @11:06AM (#325383)
  • Nick you are like an old woman. Moaning & groaning. Nothing new to say. But always moaning and finding negatives. You think your opinions are constructive but they're not. You are the fly we all would like to kill - buzzing around - but cos you are posting under so many different names - we cant.
    Boxers71 -- Monday March 23 2009, @02:01PM (#325414)
    (User #20608 Info)
  • http://abucketofashes.blogspot.com/2009/03/morrissey-dilema.html [blogspot.com]

    What I get from this blog is that it's only after a year that the ownership reverts to Morrissey and it also says in the contract that Morrissey can never use the photographs without the photographers permission.

    Seems to me it's just a contract to protect both parties. It would also protect both from other parties using the photographs without permission.
    Anonymous -- Tuesday March 24 2009, @07:53AM (#325516)


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