00:00In a very last-minute attempt, producers of the Monday Madness concert featuring
00:05as their headline artist Michelle Montano sought to hold the media to
00:09ransom. A communiqué entitled Agreement Tombs was sent out to media and speaks
00:15about event coverage rights. It says media can cover the event for editorial
00:20purposes only and all footage, photos or recordings remain the property of Johnny
00:27Q Sound Company Limited. It also gives media houses seven days by which they
00:32must provide Johnny Q with a full copy of any footage, recordings or images for
00:38their archival and promotional use. Media was also instructed that they must
00:44credit Monday Madness TT and Johnny Q Limited on social media when publishing
00:50or broadcasting any event related content. Finally, media attending the
00:56event must acknowledge and is required to sign the agreement. This caused waves
01:01over social media and among expert groups as well. Well-known local writer
01:07Mark Linderzee says quote, this requirement is not illegal but it is a
01:12work made for higher contract without any hiring taking place. It is therefore
01:17a rights grab. If you are a professional image maker you should not agree to this
01:23end quote. Editor-in-chief of the Trinidad Express Omerti Leida says if
01:28that's the case her employees won't be attending the event. She calls the
01:32demands outrageous saying quote, our work can't be other people's property besides
01:38it's a public event isn't it so it's an attempt to stymie press freedom too end
01:43quote. When contacted the owner of Johnny Q John Kwan was busy at the
01:49Queen's Park Oval trying to get the venue ready for the Monday night show.
01:53Stressing how busy he was Kwan would only say the communication sent out was
01:58in fact a miscommunication. What was intended he says is the request of media
02:04that they would like to have access on request if possible to footage photos or
02:10recordings for future ads. The statement reads quote, Johnny Q sound company does
02:16not own the rights to any media content and footage taken however we do ask
02:22media personnel to tag and credit us as well as grant us a copy of the footage
02:27upon request end quote.
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