This article by Nancy E. Wolff, Counsel for PACA outlines the legal risks according to current U.S. law when photographing people at work or play using ordinary objects. The second part of the article deals with photographing buildings, trademark protection, trade dress and fair use.
a21 has completed the acquisition of SuperStock's assets including approximately 900,000 images, one-third of which are wholly owned, and an approximately 73,000 square foot facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The aggregate purchase price was up to $5,760,625 of which about $2.6 million was cash. Gross annual sales are about $10 million.
The SAA (StockArtistsAlliance)is engaged in an ongoing study of Rights Managed usage fees worldwide and has uncovered some surprising price differentials. For some uses the price of purchasing an RM image from Getty Images in the UK is more than four times the price for the same usage in the U.S. In addition the price is determined by where the use is PURCHASED, not where the image is USED.
Corbis is probably doing more than any other stock photo seller to track infringements, and collect from those who infringe. Dave Green, Corbis Senior Corporate Counsel, explains how they do it and the benefits, not only in additional revenue, but in educating customers.
This report includes: a21 Completes Acquisition of Superstock, ArtToday.com Changes Name to JupiterImages, ZUMA Launches Reportage Division, MAC Use By Creative Community, Creatas Chooses Linux for Storage and Delivery, Decline In Use Of Film, New England Stock Victims Group, and CA Annual Competition.
Getty has announced that editorial sales will be their major focus in 2004 and currently estimates that they have about 10% of the market. This story outlines some of the challenges we think Getty will face in trying to expand their market share. The problem is not just one of marketing, but in having the type of content that editorial users -- particularly book publishers -- need. This also points to an opportunity for others trying to sell into the Editorial space.
E-Data Corporation has commenced litigation against Getty and Corbis in the Netherlands and the UK for infringing its European patent known as "the Freeny patent" which covers the downloading of information (such as photographs) from the internet in a form that is reproducable. E-Data is seeking a royalty of 5% of gross sales for sales made during the last 3 to 6 years as well as for future sales.