iStockphoto is extending a year-old program that makes low-resolution images freely available to Microsoft Office users. Due to the success of the pilot, the two companies plan to increase the number of available images and expand the program to new languages and countries.
Microsoft and iStockphoto have previously negotiated an extended license, which allows subsequent image distribution to the software company's customers through the Microsoft Office Online platform. Specific financial terms were not disclosed.
Microsoft Office Online provides productivity-enhancing tools, such as how-to articles, training courses, templates and various downloads. Low-res photos and illustrations supplied by iStock and others are available in the clip-art section, which offers users access to over 150,000 free images and sounds.
All iStock content available through Microsoft aggressively upsells high-resolution imagery, sold separately at the microstock Web site. Garth Johnson, vice president of business and community development at iStock, said that this partnership "has greatly accelerated iStock's profile with several new types of users, many of whom have not used micropayment stock images before."
Johnson says tens of thousands of Office users have also become iStock customers since the program's initial launch.
Other Microsoft clip-art and media suppliers include Photos To Go Unlimited, an Index Stock service now owned by Photolibrary, and three Jupitermedia brands: Stockxpert, Royalty Free Music and Animation Factory. While images from the iStock collection are available for download from the Office Web site, content from most other suppliers is offered as links to special offers for Microsoft customers.