I HAD TIME TO MAUL OVER SOME THINGS. What tag would you place on happiness and freedom? What would you pay to be in that constant state of euphoria? Would you sacrifice something so your feet won't touch the ground?
We build huge walls, install the 'baddest' electronic surveillance equipment, and hire 'akpu-obis' to guide/guard our precious possessions, loved ones and our lives. Neither the most sophisticated equipment, nor even Mossad-trained guards will prevent most dangers. Such dangers as bad food, contaminated water, a guard-dog gone mad, wicked and murderous househelps or stewards/stewardesses, or even a spouse in a killing mood.
What about the internet? Once you plug into the international node, you are exposed and vulnerable to all kinds of attacks. Do you know about ethical hackers? Do you know how many websites you get to visit and leave footprints which any intelligent level one hacker can waltz into? Even the protection offered by some companies put your mind to rest, but they have been found to be insufficient. Sicherheit ist sehr wichtig, Gunter my German friend says to me all the time we chat on the internet.
Then I told him about a process I came face to face with. Unfortunately, so many Nigerians do not know their rights, and let every suit-wearing dude or slender-legged female executive trample all over their persons. Obi is a model who has not had the big break just because he has not played the right leagues, or (this is sinister) kissed the right asses. Excuse my French (or American). He has featured in a few magazines modelling clothes for some big names. He even featured on the centrespread of our magazine (234Magazine) second edition, alongside Uche Odoh. His profile was meant to rise after he entered and won a reality modelling competition. We were happy for him, infact, I bragged that he was my friend and made to tell stories of how we shared fried fish and bread on a number of occasions.
But many months after the win, he is yet to see the perks - which were enticingly laid out in the form of a few months of concentrated model training fair in South Africa. To top that, the outfit misplaced his international passport until recently. I have pushed him in the past two weeks to 'do something' about it. The firm is out advertising for a second season, and shamelessly boasting on their website that the current winner (Obi) is enjoying himself in South Africa. If Obi does nothing, as I see it playing out, the firm goes scot-free and will continue to scam hapless Nigerians of their funds while pocketing a lot from sponsorship deals.
Many like him just do not know they have rights. I used to be afraid of encountering the law, since I had no god-father and my late father was not a politician or in government. That fear has since disappared, replaced by a deep, patriotic hope in the judiciary. No matter your creed and crate, you will get justice.
I have once written a cover story for a magazine for a pittance. This magazine paid me off and went on to syndicate my story in their magazines for many editions. Thus, cheating me. But I had signed, and they did not ask me to make the story lengthy and interesting. I chose to give my best but got shortchanged. I've sworn not to allow such happen to me again. On that strength, I am encouraged to help others whose rights have been trampled upon to fight back and send a message to those usurpers out there that it is not business as usual anymore!
You need to obtain permission (a contract or and an indemnity) from the owner of a work or photograph before you publish or put into commercial use.
When I visited the headquarters of the Jehovah's Witness, I met one of the volunteers who conducted the tour. When I told him I wanted to do a story about the place and needed pictures, he told me he was going to send me pictures he took by himself. This was in order to take off any misgivings that could arise from picture copyright infringements. He did and it made the story a beautiful one. I even credited him. In that instance, there is no problem.
We have had people send us their pictures (upcoming models or those who feel they have not hit the mark yet) to publish in our magazine 234Models column. Though we are doing them a favour, we still do not jump ahead and lay their photographs without a form of contract or indemnity. This is even unnecessary since we do not use them for any monetary purpose.
Now, how would you react if some photographer sold (or gave) your photograph to an advert agency, and this agency utilises it to do an artwork that was accepted by the principal and published in a magazine? All this without telling you? How would it feel really if the principal is a competitor? Would this not threaten your job? What about the exposure you never craved?
Now, the agency claims you signed a contract/indemnity, when even to a layman it is impossible for you to do so. You never gave your consent, verbal or written. And they usurpers think it is business as usual. Na lie! E no go happen! If I get the chance to contribute, I'd nail the case. Such infringements should never see a day in court. It is a simple case of exploitation turned awry. The perpetrators should own up and do the wise thing, instead of dragging their reputation aground.
The wise needs only a few words. Make we see...
