A refresher on indemnity and liability in contracts

by Don Genova One of my roles as Organizer for the Canadian Freelance Guild is to help members interpret and negotiate contracts they’re asked to sign for the work they are about to do. (Lesson One: Agree on the contract before you start doing the work.) With each contract I review, it’s almost a certainty […]

Posted on September 30, 2020 at 7:30 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , ,

Freelancer-related highlights of the CMG’s tentative agreement with CBC

The Canadian Media Guild’s bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement with the CBC earlier this month. Highlights of the tentative agreement as it relates to freelancers are as follows: The proposed agreement will provide more clarity to distinguish between the various types of freelance engagements. The CMG will have access to additional contact information for […]

Posted on February 23, 2019 at 9:18 am by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , ,

CMG Freelance resolution for 2019

CMG Freelance president Don Genova has some advice for you now that we’re into 2019…

Posted on February 2, 2019 at 6:00 am by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , ,

Freelance contracts a hot topic at Level Up conference in Toronto

It’s frustrating to give up lucrative assignments, but are indemnification clauses worth the risks they pose to your assets?

Posted on October 18, 2018 at 6:00 am by editor · One Comment · Tagged with: , , ,

The Born Freelancer Gives Assurance on Insurance

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. I think Sara Tatelman’s recent two-parter on liability and insurance for freelancers is a must-read. It is a topic of paramount importance for all freelancers […]

Posted on September 26, 2018 at 8:52 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Freelancers Unite to Battle Low Pay and Bad Contracts

  Toronto – Members of five of Canada’s largest freelancer associations have banded together to fight against stagnant pay rates and contracts that demand the right to reuse their work for no further pay. The Canadian Media Guild (CMG) Freelance Branch, the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC), Travel Media […]

Posted on September 19, 2018 at 7:00 am by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , , , , ,

How to respond when a publication wants you to indemnify them

By Sara Tatelman Congratulations — a new editor is really excited about your pitch, and you’re really excited to get paid to investigate something you care about. All that’s left is to sign the contract. But then you read it, all nine pages, and your heart sinks. The contract requires you to indemnify the publisher […]

Posted on September 13, 2018 at 10:08 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , , , ,

The rise of indemnification clauses in freelance contracts

By Sara Tatelman When Toronto journalist Jesse Brown wanted to break the Jian Ghomeshi story, he knew couldn’t do so on his independent podcast Canadaland. At the time, he didn’t have any libel insurance, and several lawyers told him that while he could take steps to ensure he could win a libel lawsuit, provided he […]

Posted on September 12, 2018 at 9:29 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , , , ,

Media lawyer advises freelancers to beware of indemnity clauses

As indemnification clauses continue to appear in freelance contracts, one media lawyer advises freelancers to be careful what they sign. Daniel Burnett, with Vancouver’s Owen Bird Law Corporation, said the potential consequences of indemnifying a publication against expenses that might arise from a defamation lawsuit could be devastating. “Indemnity for a possible lawsuit that might […]

Posted on August 9, 2018 at 8:21 pm by editor · LEAVE A COMMENT · Tagged with: , ,

Non-fiction book publishing advice for freelance writers

By Lesley Evans Ogden Have you ever thought about writing a non-fiction book? It’s a daunting undertaking, but for many published book authors, it’s also a rewarding one. In April 2018, Science Writers and Communicators of Canada held their annual conference in Vancouver. During that conference, I moderated a session on book publishing. The three […]

Posted on May 2, 2018 at 8:55 pm by editor · One Comment · Tagged with: , , ,