Vice magazine — like, of course, most magazines — pays its writers tardily. Par for the course. But that's just the insult to the actual injury. Vice's contracts demand that the author sign over absolute universal rights, from internet to theatrical to pay-per-view. That's almost okay. What's not okay is that this contract is often sent to the writer long after publication of the actual article — but, of course, before payment. Totally tacky.

A well-known and deeply disgruntled journalist was kind enough to send me a copy of their contract.

FULL AND COMPLETE RELEASE AND GRANT OF RIGHTS


I hereby irrevocably grant to Vice Magazine Publishing Inc. and its affiliated companies ( VICE ), its successors, licensees, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators the exclusive right to use the Contribution as described above and any and all of the material used in and in connection with the Contribution (the Material ) in all media whatsoever, whether now known or hereafter created (including, but not limited to, any medium of distribution or transmission, whether by over-the-air, satellite, cable or by any other broadcast or telecommunications medium including Internet, commercial on-line services, by projection, radio, all forms of publishing, all forms of television (including free, pay, toll, cable, sustaining, subscription, sponsored and direct satellite broadcast), all forms of "pay-per-view" and "video-on-demand", in theatres, non-theatrically, on tape or film of any gauge, videotape, cassettes, cartridges, discs and other similar and dissimilar devices, all forms of computer assisted, optically driven or interactive media, including CD-ROM, CD-1, 3D0, DVD or any similar or dissimilar medium).

I hereby release and discharge VICE, its employees, agents, licensees, successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators from any and all claims, demands or causes of action that I may now have or may hereafter have, for libel, defamation, invasion or privacy, infringement of copyright or violation of any other right arising out of any exhibition, use, exploitation, advertising, publicity or promotion of the Contribution, any subsidiary, allied and ancillary rights therein, and/or the Material.

The provisions hereof shall be binding upon me and my successors, licensees, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, and the rights herein granted to Vice may be assigned in whole or in part to any person, firm or other entity. This grant and release is to be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


Per:______________________________

AGREED AND ACCEPTED ON THIS ______DAY OF ____________, 200__


VICE MAGAZINE PUBLISHING INC.


Per:________________________________