Hats Off to SuperStock

Posted on 10/27/2010 by Jim Pickerell | Printable Version | Comments (1)

Several photographers have asked to publicly note SuperStock’s recent actions, which are greatly appreciated by its photographers.

In February 2009, SuperStock acquired a U.K. company that had been marketing SuperStock work for many years. In reviewing the prior owner’s policies, the company found that for some photographers—but not all—the U.K. SuperStock office charged a 50% royalty before the remainder was sent to the U.S., where that amount was split with the photographers. This is not an unusual practice in the stock industry, and it was perfectly legal under the contracts photographers signed.

However, SuperStock decided that “just because we can do something, it does not mean it is right.” The company felt the practice was unfair to photographers. As of January 1, 2010, SuperStock discontinued the practice.

Since then, all sales made through the U.K. office have been treated in exactly the same manner as if the sale were made through the U.S. office. In each case, the photographer’s royalty has been calculated on the gross amount of the sale, not the amount received by the U.S. office. In addition, SuperStock has recently refunded all additional royalties that were charged by the U.K. office going back to February 2009, when SuperStock acquired that office.  

It is refreshing to find a stock agency that goes beyond what they are required to do in an effort to treat contributors fairly. 


Copyright © Jim Pickerell. The above article may not be copied, reproduced, excerpted or distributed in any manner without written permission from the author. All requests should be submitted to Selling Stock at 10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 162, Bethesda, MD 20817, phone 301-461-7627, e-mail: wvz@fpcubgbf.pbz

Jim Pickerell is founder of www.selling-stock.com, an online newsletter that publishes daily. He is also available for personal telephone consultations on pricing and other matters related to stock photography. He occasionally acts as an expert witness on matters related to stock photography. For his current curriculum vitae go to: http://www.jimpickerell.com/Curriculum-Vitae.aspx.  

Comments

  • Rahul Pathak Posted Oct 28, 2010
    Thanks for sharing this. Great to see folks doing the right thing.

    Rahul

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