Lady GaGa 'demands tour photo copyrights'

Lady GaGa has controversially demanded that she is to own the copyright of the photos taken at her concerts by photographers.

The 'Born This Way' singer is said to want complete control of the images captured on her tour and has published a release form that states that any images taken by the concert photographers will become the property of Lady GaGa, reports Rolling Stone.

"It's utterly disrespectful of the time, the effort and the creativity of the photographer," declared concert photographer and intellectual property lawyer David Atlas.

"I think it's some misguided need to control the images that are out there, but she has so little control over those images."

The photographer's argument is founded on the idea that a paparazzi shot of Lady GaGa on the street or at an awards ceremony would not face the same restrictions.

Concert photographer Tim Mosenfelder explained: "These artists blow up, and depending on their personality and the management they surround themselves with, they end up with a result like this.

"There are artists out there who are pretty fair with the press. For example, Justin Bieber is very receptive to allowing the press to cover his performances, and he's blown up."

It has been reported that the release form is not the only version distributed at the concert. Atlas has claimed that there is a less restrictive form that is handed out to larger media outlets, while the smaller companies will have to face losing copyright, and therefore the royalties, to the images they have taken.