Contract between Talent Agency and Photographer with Regard to Stock Photographs
Agreement made on the _______________ (date) , between ____________________
(Name of Agency) of __________________________________________________________
___________________ (street address, city, county, state, zip code) , referred to herein as
Agency , and __________________________ (Name of Photographer) , a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the state of ______________, with its principal office
located at ____________________________________________________________________
_________ (street address, city, county, state, zip code) , referred to herein as Photographer .
For and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,
the parties agree as follows:
1. Term: The term of this Agreement shall be for a period of one (1) year, and shall be
automatically renewed for an additional one year period each year thereafter unless terminated
in writing a minimum of 30 days prior to the anniversary date, by either the Agency or the
Photographer.
2. Participation: The Photographer has been informed and understands that his
continued participation is essential to success in stock photography. Therefore the
Photographer agrees to submit new images for edit on a regular basis. If in the opinion of the
Agency's key personnel, the Photographer is not participating sufficiently to make the
relationship between the Agency and the Photographer profitable, the Agency shall have the
option of immediately terminating this contract by giving the Photographer thirty (30) days
written notice. The Agency will at that time return the Photographer's images under the terms of
this Agreement.
3. Grant of Authority: The Photographer hereby warrants and represents that he is the
sole and exclusive owner of all transparencies, negatives, prints, electronic storage media, text
information, and any other photographic materials (hereinafter referred to as Images) delivered
to the Agency, both now and in the future. The Photographer warrants and represents
that he has the unrestricted right to license the said Images. The Agency is appointed sales
agent only, and in no way may claim ownership or any interest in the Photographer's Images.
In the event of bankruptcy, judgment against, or any other liabilities incurred by the Agency, the
Images owned by the Photographer shall not be represented as an asset of the Agency or
offered as any type of security on behalf of the Agency.
4. Use Negotiations: Any and all use negotiations relating to existing photography, as
covered by this Agreement, shall be at the Agency's sole discretion without need for prior
consultation with Photographer, with the exception of all rights sales. Any sale of future rights,
such as copyrights, shall require approval of both the Photographer and the Agency.
Where appropriate, the Agency shall have sole right to determine lease fees.
5. Copyright: The Agency shall not acquire any rights, title, or interest in or to said
Images, or their use, other than as specifically set forth in this Agreement. The Photographer
agrees to place a valid copyright notice and his name upon all materials submitted to the
Agency. The Agency has the permission of the Photographer to take such steps as may be
reasonably necessary to prosecute unauthorized use and assure the users properly protect the
Photographer's copyright upon publication. The Photographer agrees to provide whatever
reasonable assistance the Agency may require in performing these steps. The Agency shall
not be liable for unauthorized use for Images that did not carry proper copyright protection
when delivered to the Agency.
6. Responsibility for Information: The Photographer agrees to assume all responsibility
for any and all claims resulting from information supplied to the Agency that the Photographer
knew or had reason to know was erroneous and inaccurate regarding its ownership, caption
information, and model releases for all Images left with the Agency. The Photographer warrants
that he has a signed model release for all people appearing in the Images submitted to the
Agency where the Photographer has placed the letters "MR" or the letter "R" on the
transparency mount, cover or print. It is understood that NO model release exists where the
Photographer has placed the letters "NR" on the transparency mount, cover, or print. The
Photographer agrees to deliver to the Agency copies of all model releases that are specifically
requested by the Agency. The Photographer warrants that the Images delivered to the Agency
do not knowingly infringe any copyright, trademark, right of privacy, or publicity, and do not
knowingly defame any third party.
7. Photographs to Remain in Agency Files : The Photographer agrees that
transparencies or prints submitted to the Agency shall remain with the Agency for the duration
of this Agreement. If the Agreement between the Agency and the Photographer is terminated
after that period, the Agency shall return all available Images within 90 days. Any Images in
circulation at the time of contract termination will be returned to the Photographer as
expeditiously as possible. The Agency may continue to sell rights to these Images until
returned to the Photographer. The Agency agrees that if the Photographer requires a more
speedy retrieval it will assign special personnel to complete the job, with the expense for the
same being borne by the Photographer. The Photographer understands that the Agency
process of selection, organization, labeling and filing of the Photographer’s Images is
an expensive process for the Agency. Therefore, if the Photographer requests termination of
the Agreement before the third anniversary date of the contract, the Photographer agrees to pay
the Agency a termination fee equal to one U.S. Dollar ($1.00) per Image returned to the
Photographer.
8. Advertising and Promotion: The Photographer understands that advertising and
promotion are essential to the success of the Agency, and that due to the high cost of
advertising, the Agency cannot carry the entire financial burden of advertising by itself. From
time to time, upon request by the Agency, Photographer agrees to contribute to the Agency's
advertising budget. The Photographer authorizes use of his or her photographs in the Agency
advertising and promotion at the Agency's discretion and without compensation to the
Photographer. From time to time, the Agency may authorize use of the Photographer's Images
without compensation if in the Agency's opinion the use is appropriate and beneficial.
9. Contractual Arrangement:
A. Agency is authorized as the Photographer's agent and representative with the
limitations as listed below (initial each as applicable).
______ Agency Exclusive
______ Non-Exclusive, U.S. rights only 1
______ Non-Exclusive, U.S. & foreign rights 2
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______ Non-Exclusive, U.S. rights, including U.S. sub-agents 3
______ Non-Exclusive, U.S. & foreign rights, including U.S. & foreign sub-agents 4
B. Agency shall inform the Photographer as to the name and address of all licensed
sub-agents. Agency shall keep accurate records of all transfers of Images (originals or
duplicates) to sub-agents. Agency agrees that sub-agents will be informed that each
image's usage is to be sold on a "non-exclusive" basis, and that any sale other than a
"one-time" use must receive the approval of the Agency.
C. For the term of this Agreement the Photographer agrees to refrain from actively
soliciting the sale of his or her Images to clients to which the Agency has introduced,
sold, or leased the Photographer's Images. In the event of such sales by the
Photographer, he or she shall pay to the Agency fifty percent (50%) of total amount
received for the sale. Certain accounts with which Photographer already regularly
conducts business may be exempt from this clause. Initial here, _______ if such
exemption is desired and attach a list of those clients. This solicitation prohibition
applies to stock photo sales only, and does not pertain to solicitation of photographic
assignment work.
D. Agency shall receive as its compensation a commission equal to fifty percent
(50%) of the total fees billed and collected by the Agency, the balance being due to the
Photographer. Compensation to Photographer from all sub-agent sales shall be fifty
percent (50%) of net sale returned to Agency, which shall in no case be less than thirty
percent (30%) of the gross amount invoiced by the sub-agent. In the event of
cancellation of a sale or return of lost Images by the Agency's client after payment has
been made to the Photographer, Photographer authorizes Agency to deduct the amount
paid to the Photographer from future sales.
E. Payment shall be made by the Agency to the Photographer no later than ninety
(90) days from the date the Agency receives payment from its client. A sales statement
listing all collected sales with the appropriate sum will be included with any payments.
F. Agency, as part of its leasing and licensing efforts, will duplicate and place the
Photographer's Images with its clients and sub-agents where authorized by the
Photographer. The cost of producing such duplicates shall be shared equally. Agency
will advance all payments for the duplicates and Photographers share of these costs will
be deducted from future earnings. Agency will not deduct more than twenty percent
(20%) of the total sum due Photographer for any particular sales statement for
duplicating expenses. A record, identifying each duplicate Image made by the Agency,
will be given to the Photographer whenever duplication costs are deducted from any
earnings.
G. If revenue is earned after the expiration of this Agreement (and its extensions or
renewals), but as a result of activity on the Agency's part during the term of this
Agreement, its renewals and extensions, the Photographer shall continue to receive
his/her share of earnings and the Agency shall be entitled to commissions described
above. This shall apply to all materials falling within the scope of this Agreement.
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H. Upon normal termination of this Agreement, the Photographer has the option to
obtain all duplicates of his/her Images made by the Agency, which shall be given to
Photographer at Agency's cost less Photographer's original financial participation. If
Photographer does not exercise this option, all duplicates will remain with the Agency
and may be made available for sale, license or lease as described in this Agreement. In
the event of a sale, license or lease, payment and commissions currently in effect at the
time of sale will be made to Photographer.
I. During the term of this Agreement and for one (1) year after its termination,
Photographer agrees to refrain from soliciting or selling his or her stock photographs
marketed by the Agency directly or through another person or agent, to customers to
whom the Photographer has been introduced by the Agency and to whom photographs
have been sold by the Agency. In the event of such sales, Photographer agrees to pay
the Agency the full percentage of fifty percent (50%) of the amount billed.
J. The Photographer expressly acknowledges that the Agency shall produce
and distribute promotional and sales material, which material may include the
Photographer's Images. The Photographer further acknowledges that such production
and distribution of promotional and sales material represents a substantial investment on
the part of the Agency, and accordingly, the Photographer expressly agrees that at the
expiration or termination of this Agreement, the Agency shall have the irrevocable right
to make reproduction grade duplicates at its own expense of any photographs appearing
in its sales promotion sheets, catalogs, or types of electronic storage media and
distribute the same for a period of five (5) years following the termination or expiration of
this Agreement. In consideration thereof, the Agency shall retain fifty percent (50%) of
gross billings actually received in connection with the licensing of the Photographer's
Images but shall not be deemed to include: service fees; bad debts and other
uncollectible sums actually incurred; and reasonable currency conversion costs.
10. Loss, Damage, and Liability:
A. In the event of loss, damage, destruction , or unauthorized use of any Images by
any user, the Photographer hereby grants the Agency full and complete authority to make
claims or to institute suit in the Photographer's name. Any recoveries shall be divided equally
between the Agency and the Photographer, after deductions, if any, for collection fees, legal
fees, or
other expenses incurred by the Agency in its efforts to resolve such claims. All settlements shall
be made at the Agency's sole discretion and to effectuate this clause, the Photographer hereby
grants the Agency power of attorney, which the Photographer acknowledges is coupled with an
interest.
11. Agency not Liable for Loss or Damage of Images while in Agency’s Possession:
A. Truly rare and irreplaceable "one of a kind" Images will only be provided to the
Agency in the form of appropriately labeled, reproduction quality duplicates. The Photographer
hereby releases the Agency from any liability of the Photographer for any loss or damage to the
images unless caused by the Agency's gross and willful negligence.
12. Severability
The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect
the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the
parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if
they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.
13. No Waiver
The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms
and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such
forbearance or waiver had occurred.
14. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of _______________.
15. Notices
Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective
address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.
16. Attorney’s Fees
In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party
in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be
called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.
17. Mandatory Arbitration
Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration
of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one
arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall
arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration
Association then in force and effect.
18. Entire Agreement
This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior
understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be
binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.
19. Modification of Agreement
Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in
connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each
party or an authorized representative of each party.
20. Assignment of Rights
The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be
assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior,
express, and written consent of the other party.
21. In this Agreement, any reference to a party includes that party's heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns, singular includes plural and masculine includes
feminine.
WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.
____________________________
(Name of Agency)
________________________ By:_________________________
(P rinted name) _________________________
________________________ (P rinted name & Office in Corporation)
(Signature of Photography) _________________________
(Signature of Officer)