USA Today has been assimilated …

In this era of rights-grabbing work-for-hire contracts, USA Today was a refreshing break. A fair wage for one-time usage, a payment schedule for re-use on the web or in print. It was a good deal – the paper got high quality work from respected journalists and those journalist received decent pay for their work.

That’s changed according to an article on Photo District News’ web site.

*Disclaimer – I was emailed the new contract last week as I have freelanced for USA Today in the past. The very distant past – 2000, I believe.