Newer ABC contract

[victoria]

I can't say I'm surprised by the contract (and many thanks, sdl, for sharing the whole enchilada). But I can't believe some of the participants agree to sign it as it is. WHA?!?!?!?! Some people who go on this show are incredibly naive and/or incredibly excited at the prospect of being on TV, so I can see how some participants quickly agree to all this. I *think* there have also been some world-wise participants on this show and am mind-boggled that they would agree to all of this. Some real "gems" have been pointed out already. Section II (Grant of Rights) has some real doozies in it, too! :OMG


"A. Name, Likeness, Etc.; Promotional Activities: The unconditional right
throughout the world in perpetuity to use, simulate or portray (and to
authorize others to do so) or to refrain from using, simulating or portraying,
my name, likeness (whether photographic or otherwise), voice, personality,
personal identification or personal experiences (including, without
limitation, whether I am clothed, partially clothed or naked, whether I am
aware or unaware of such photographing, videotaping, filming or recording, and
by requiring me to wear a microphone at all times), my life story,
biographical data, incidents, situations and events which heretofore occurred
or hereafter occur, including without limitation the right to use, or to
authorize others to use any of the foregoing in or in connection with the
Series....."

I'm not a lawyer, but it sounds like they can use my name/likeness FOREVER. Uh, yeah....no. No way in God's creation I'd ever agree to something like that. Now, I know, for the lion's share of participants, they'd really have no desire to use most people's name/likeness/whatever after they're done with them. But they can? IN PERPETUITY??? Yikes! And they can authorize others to do so? It is beyond comprehension to me that some participants wouldn't negotiate something a little more reasonable and fair to both sides. WOW!

[Google]

 

[Parasolpink]

Originally Posted by sdl

*********
I have some other detailed comments on the contract from February that I'll try to find because there's a lot more that will turn your stomach, but here's the deal.......
This "agreement" is presented to them at the very first interview. They are given about 5 minutes to look at it, and then they sign and have an interview......or they don't sign and they go home. No tickee no laundry.
Nothing about this is negotiated.

I wonder how difficult it was for Jilly to get a phone call a week in to her mother?

[pajamasam]

Here's one of my favorite parts. (bolding added) They all agree that the participants , producer and host can basically make up anything they wish about the contestant and it may be true or fictional. Honestly, I just dont understand why anyone would sign this.

I understand that, in and in connection with the Series, I may
reveal and/or relate, and other parties (including, without limitation, other
Participants, Producer and the host of the Series), may reveal and/or relate
information about me of a personal, private, intimate, surprising, defamatory,
disparaging, embarrassing or unfavorable nature, that may be factual and/or
fictional. I further understand that my appearance, depiction and/or
portrayal in the Series and my actions and the actions of others displayed in
the Series, may be disparaging, defamatory, embarrassing or of an otherwise
unfavorable nature and may expose me to public ridicule, humiliation or
condemnation. I acknowledge and agree that Producer shall have the right (a)
to include any such information and any such appearance, depiction, portrayal,
actions, and statements in the Series as edited by Producer in its sole
discretion, and (b) to broadcast and otherwise exploit the Series containing
any such information and any such appearance, depiction, portrayal or actions.

[SDMOM]

Originally Posted by sdl

***********
I believe that Reid and some others (Wes, Ed, Kip, Tanner, Jake) had side deals that involved extra consideration for their "unique" participation. This was separate from the boilerplate contract that everyone had to sign to get to first base (what we have now seen).
So I think when Reid says that he involved a lawyer, he is talking about when they got down to the issue of compensation (not specified in this contract) and what his participation would be.
But the basic "signing your life away" contract we are looking at is not negotiable.

Thanks SDL!
Again, I am wondering why good-looking, decent, successful guys like Ried and Kip would agree to go on the show??? What kind of "compensation"/"incentives" do you think TPTB offered them, other than the chance of being on TV?

[Parasolpink]

Originally Posted by sdl

*********
You'll have the full contract soon but my recollection is that it said you could leave, but that you HAD to do it on camera.......and maybe there was some penalty if you messed up their filming?

Would that penalty be financial or would the participant be thrown under the bus vis-a-vis editing? Or both? Is there anything in the contract with what ABC gives in return?

[Parasolpink]

Originally Posted by pajamasam

Here's one of my favorite parts. (bolding added) They all agree that the participants , producer and host can basically make up anything they wish about the contestant and it may be true or fictional. Honestly, I just dont understand why anyone would sign this.

It sure explains how they got so much mileage out of Tanner's foot fetish...

[ZG_Champion]

And so much for any complaints about them editing you to make it appear you said something other than what you really said or falsely portraying the context (thinking of Wes here):

I further understand that my appearance, depiction and/or portrayal in the Series and my actions and the actions of others displayed in the Series, may be disparaging, defamatory, embarrassing or of an otherwise unfavorable nature and may expose me to public ridicule, humiliation or condemnation. I acknowledge and agree that Producer shall have the right (a) to include any such information and any such appearance, depiction, portrayal,actions, and statements in the Series as edited by Producer in its sole discretion

Thanks, SDL. I can't imagine a lawyer advising a client to sign this agreement. And, since they don't pay most of the contestants, how many are going to shell out the bucks for a lawyer in the first place? I imagine only the ones they promised F4 status and compensation, or others they promised monetary incentives to (like Tanner or Jake, according to sdl) would even bother to consult an attorney.

[ZG_Champion]

Originally Posted by sdl

************
I can't speak for Jeremy, but I can say in general that lawyers frequently are the quickest to sign long contracts without paying a lot of attention to them because we know they are filled with nonsense written by some nerd in a closet somewhere - intended only to scare of the unwary but not ever to be enforced.
Jeremy went on the show for the adventure. The contract was white noise.
But it IS revealing as to what the Producers have in mind for you.

Wasn't Jeremy still waiting for his bar results when he applied to go on the show? I thought I remember him showing Deanna his bar review notes he still had posted on his apartment wall during his home town date. He may be a bit wiser today. Law school doesn't equip you to deal with real-life situations so much as it teaches you theory.

[KocktailKat]

Originally Posted by atem

Dang, if you get married within 2 years, you have to let them film it?! Geez.

I wonder what happens if the happy Bachelorette/ Bachelor couple have a baby. Do they retain rights to film the birth?

[satorus]

Originally Posted by KocktailKat

I wonder what happens if the happy Bachelorette/ Bachelor couple have a baby. Do they retain rights to film the birth?

Probably only the first born... j/k