Taylor Swift criticised by photographers for ‘exceedingly restrictive’ copyright demands

You won't find a photo of Taylor Swift in the Irish Times today, as they refused the demands of her label regarding photo copyright and chose not to print any

Chris Mandle
Tuesday 30 June 2015 12:42 BST
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Taylor Swift performing in Dublin
Taylor Swift performing in Dublin

The Irish Times has refused to print pictures of Taylor Swift due to her team’s restrictive contract and ridiculous demands regarding copyright.

The singer was performing at Dublin’s 3Arena last night as part of her 1989 World Tour.

In a piece on the website, the paper's deputy picture editor Brenda Fitzsimons said the terms and conditions are "exceedingly restrictive" and "not feasible for a working newspaper and website".

Photographers covering one of the singer’s shows must sign contracts which outline restrictions regarding what they can and cannot do with pictures of the pop star on stage.

Swift’s photograph authorisation has a one-time-only limit, which elapses at the end of 2015. Any other use requires written consent from the artist and her agent, and Swift has the sole right to use any of these materials herself for publicity and promotion in future.

The paper has rejected the demands, saying they’d rather print no picture of her at all.

Swift's argument, it seems, is that people could use these images and make their own unofficial merchandise for their own profit – something the pop star has sued her fans for in the past.

The irony, the paper points out, is that Swift is treating the photographers at her shows in much the same way she believed Apple were treating their artists.

“The photographs may be used on a one-time only basis, and by signing her contract we grant Swift perpetual, worldwide right to use the published photographs in any way she sees fit," adds Fitzsimons.

While she was taking on Apple over their royalty policy last week, one photographer wrote an open letter to her which quickly went viral, pointing out how damaging her team’s restrictive policies are.

"“With all due respect to you too Taylor, you can do the right thing and change your photo policy. Photographers don't ask for your music for free. Please don't ask us to provide you with your marketing material for free," Sheldon said.

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