Official Statement from Summit Publishing

From Toto Labrador:

This letter was forwarded to me from my contact at supplements …

Dear Photographers who work with Summit,

First, we apologize for any offense caused the contract may have caused.
Our intention was the opposite. As the leader in the magazine industry, we
wanted to professionalize the relationship between photographers and Summit
by creating a written contract between us. The contract would cover
everything from copyright, re-use fees, and other concerns which you
yourselves have brought up in the past.

Second, we want to clarify certain points for those who have not read the
contract in full:

1. We DO NOT intend to put up an agency and resell your photos.

2. We WILL NOT resell your photos to advertisers WITHOUT your permission or
compensation. Other publishing companies may have done this in the past, but
Summit Media has NOT and WILL NOT. When we use your photo for an advertorial
in the magazine, we will ask permission first and we will compensate you. We
hope you do not lump us together with publishing houses who have violated
you in this way.

3. We indicated re-use fees in case these were used in advertorials in the
magazine. These re-use fees range from P1,500 to P5,000 per photo depending
on size. These advertorials will only appear in our magazines and will not
be used in campaigns not related to the magazines.

Third, in the revised contract, we will no longer include ownership of
copyright. The only reason we included this is that we also wanted to
protect our rights as a magazine company. For example, that the photos we
paid for do not appear in our competitors’ magazines or websites. After all,
the photograph is a collaborative process. While the photographer does shoot
the photo, the magazine also invests its resources and manpower to bring
together a stylist, model, location, clothes, etc., so that the entire
creative process is achieved. We do not want to see another company
benefiting from these collaborative efforts, which include the efforts of
our own editors and art directors. Also, sometimes, photos are placed on
non-company websites before they are even published in the magazine. We
wanted to avoid this from happening as this can hurt magazine sales.

Last, you are not only our colleagues but our FRIENDS. We work with you on a
regular basis and enjoy this collaborative process. In fact, both parties
have, together, revived an otherwise moribund industry and we all have a
stake in moving it forward. Rest assured that we will work on this contract,
and consider your concerns. But we also hope that you keep our concerns in
mind. We look forward to working with you toward a MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL
RESOLUTION.

Thanks,
PUBLISHER
Lisa Gokongwei Cheng

EDITORS
Myrza Sison
Jo-Ann Maglipon
Mia Fausto
Pauline Suaco–Juan
Allan Madrilejos
Rachelle Medina
Jing Lejano
Wie Aquino–Ochoa
Ianne Sison–Evangelista
Agu Paiso
Cesar Evangeslista
Vince Sales
Frances Amper
Maggie Adan
Mimi Tiu
Shiloah Matic
Jenina Alli
Vernon Sarne
Ines Bautista–Yao
Cherry Pacheco–Uy
Stephanie Dychiu
Inna Abinuman