Expert: John Varghese - 8/31/2011

Question
Hi- Not sure if you can offer any advice on this subject or not, but here goes:  I am creating a calendar.  I have a bunch of models that are going to pose for the calendar in different scenes, and a few photographers that are willing to shoot for it.  This is all going to be un-paid for them, but I am going to try and sell the calendars to try and gain back the money that I am paying to get the copies printed up.  How can I protect myself so that none of the models turn around and try something against me in the future?  What can I do to protect myself from any problems in the future?  Should I make each of them sign some sort of paper?  Some sort of waiver or a contract?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Answer
Dear Lori,

It would be better to make your arrangement in a contract. But as per law of contract, a contract without consideration is not enforceable. Hence it would be better if you can show some thing as a compensation to your models and photographers, either in monetary terms or in terms of any other service from you to them, so that you can avoid the claims that the contract is un-enforceable.It can be either in the form of a formal contract or in the form of letters from the participants, agreeing to the terms under which the calendar is made.

Regards

John Varghese