Well, hello there Carl :)

-> Don't know about Canada, but down here :) even if a paper paid is
-> supplying  the film and so on, the photographer (assuming it's a freelance
-> type job, and not work done as a staffer), owns the images 

Ah well, I worked for that paper.  It's true I was hired on as a columnist,
not a photographer, but I think they felt they owned your butt once you
were part of the staff.
-> 
-> There has been a huge upheaval in the freelance community the past couple of
-> years, with newspapers/magazines grabbing up as many rights as they can by
-> making photographers (and writers) sign work-for hire agreements that go way
-> beyond what is fair to the creator of the work.

I didn't have to sign anything at all.  In fact, I wish I had.  I would
have had a clearer idea of what to expect.

 For example, I left the
-> local daily here three years ago because their new freelancers contract,
-> mandated by their parent corporation, Gannet, called for not only all the
-> rights "inperpetuity" of anything shot for the paper, but
all rights to any
-> images from the photographers own stock (!) -- also inperpetuity! Forget it!

The nerve of them!
Do you suppose they snuck that in there, believing that a lot of people
never read the contract?  

-> freelancers formed Editorial Photographers -- now numbering in the thousands
-> of members worldwide. Check their website out for what they are doing and
-> have done on behalf of freelancers.  http://www.editorialphoto.com

Thanks.  There is certainly lots to explore there.
-> 
-> It is quite possible that you own the images in question. Have you asked the
-> paper for the negs? If anything, they might let you
"borrow" them in order
-> to make prints for your portfolio.

That paper no longer exists.  It died shortly after I quit working for
them. People were always telling me that they bought the paper just to see
what I had to say and once I was gone, so was the paper....within weeks.
-> 
-> And of course, the next time you shoot something for them, try to work all
-> these icky little details out in advance.

I would now.  I'm older and wiser ....supposedly    
I figure if someone doesn't like my terms they can get someone else.  I'd
rather have a hobby than a job anyway. More fun, less hassle.  We're only
here for a little while and I plan to enjoy whatever time I have left.

Karen
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