Launched in early June, LicenseStream is a subscription-based service that handles the transactional side of content licensing. The platform hosts client content and supports administrative functions, ranging from selecting the license type and determining fees to executing transactions, invoicing and royalty distribution. New service features include lightboxes, which allow presenting and sharing content in groups, a keyword generator that taps into common search phrases and new options for gallery-name and license-type displays.

The new WEVA LicenseStream Gallery, launched on Monday at the organization's 18th Annual Wedding & Event Video Expo in Orlando, was customized for some 10,000 WEVA and WEVA Latino professional videographer members. The public interface allows buyers to search and browse all WEVA image and video content. It also has a buyer request forum. WEVA members gain access to all LicenseStream features, including pro-level services, which augment the standard LicenseStream service with additional licensing, reporting and publishing options.

Financial arrangements between ImageSpan and WEVA have not been disclosed. LicenseStream typically charges a subscription fee and also keeps a percentage of revenue generated by each transaction. ImageSpan says that the advantage of the service is in greatly reducing the costs and improving efficiency of the licensing process, much of which is handled manually. According to the company, the typical cost reduction is between 40% and 90%.

For the smaller provider, the added benefit is eliminating the middle man. "Until now, [photographers] had to handle sales themselves, or be ‘middled' by a large image stock house and wait for months to get content sales settled," says the LicenseStream Web site. However, LicenseStream is also unlike stock agencies in that it does not offer marketing, art direction, research or other typical agency services.