14 DAY TRIAL // As Britney Spears’ Circus tour continues to hit major cities in Europe as part of her long-expected and highly successful comeback, her management and organizers AEG Live are confronted with a unique situation until now. Several national newspapers in Sweden and publications falling under Denmark’s largest media group have announced their intention of not covering in any way Spears’ concerts there until contractual restrictions are lifted, The Local informs.
According to statements just released, Britney’s management came up with several restrictions and limitations that all media partners must abide by. Organizers AEG Live, it seems, have no say in the matter and, should any change be operated in the contracts on such a short notice, they must come from Spears’ staff and no one else. Among them, signing up the rights to the pictures over to Spears’ management is the one that most enraged the Swedish media. Mates in Denmark have announced their intention to boycott the tour as well out of solidarity.
“In the contract presented to media outlets wishing to take pictures of the concert, arrangers included a number of extraordinary restrictions. Among other things, they demand that pictures from the concert not be published after 30 days and that no pictures be offered for resale. In addition, the contract prohibits papers from publishing pictures of Spears which arrangers deem unflattering and states that the US pop star be given ownership rights to the pictures her management finds favorable.” The Local writes. Consequently, the four major national newspapers have revealed they would not be sending their photographers to the event or cover it in writing unless organizers or Spears’ management “rip off the contract.”
As news of the boycott broke in the international press, Berlingske Media, the largest media group in Denmark, also revealed intentions of not covering Circus out of solidarity and granted the same restrictions also apply there for the upcoming concert. Caught between the devil and the deep sea, as they say, AEG Live has expressed regret as to the state of things. Still, the decision to include the restrictions in the contract had nothing to do with the promoters, an AEG spokesperson said. They are, however, trying to get in touch with Spears’ camp to see what can be changed on such a short notice.
“On behalf of the Danish press as we have chosen the same procedure. We will boycott coverage of Britney Spears if the organizers don’t change the photo contract for the concert on Saturday.” Claus Lunde, photo editor of Denmark’s Ekstra Bladet newspaper, tells The Local.