This Guardian article sums it nicely: “Bauer Media, publisher of Kerrang!, Mojo and Q magazines, is asking its freelance writers and photographers to sign away all rights to their work.” Times are tough for the publishing business but the contracts that Bauer is now offering not only means that writers loose all rights to their works but they would also be liable in the instance of a lawsuit.
Truth be known, I’m one of the many writers who said no. I’ve written for MOJO a number of times over the past several years and was very proud of that- it’s a quality publication and I was glad to help out in that regard. I’d like to write for them again. Nevertheless, I want to write for a publication which treats writers fairly so I can’t do work for them now, not when they’re trying to force these unfair contracts down peoples’ throats. Hopefully this will get resolved soon as they realize the value of writers who’ve contributed to them and can help to keep making it a great magazine.