A bill is being "fast tracked" through the U.S. Congress that would remove much of the protection for unauthorized use of images and potentially convert the majority of published images to "Orphan Works" status. All trade organizations are encouraging their members to express their feelings on this issue to their representatives.
This issue contains articles on: Margins or Profits?;iStockphoto Updates Site; Getty Moves to Micropayments; Getty Revenue Up For 2005; Photographer's Choice Survey Results; Jupiter Makes More Acquisitions; Increased Still Image Use; Grill on Return-per-image; Royalties Plunging; Trademark Bill Pending; Acquisitions and more.
This issue has stories on: Corbis Announces 2005 Revenue; Index Stock Hit By Check Scam; New TrendWatch Statistics; WireImageStock Expands Content; AP Photographers To Shoot Stock; Photononstop Leading Independent Agency in France; New Positions For Experienced Professionals.
This edition includes items on: Picturesque Does Semi-Shutdown; Jupiter Acquires The Beauty Archive; Jupiter Pulls Brands Off Getty; Getty Images Changes Tune On iStockphoto; Royalties Plunging and Why Getty's Stock Price Has Fallen
Which is more important, Margins or Profits? I consulted a group of analysts who follow Getty Images and/or Jupitermedia and all but one who responded said PROFITS. Both companies are very focused on increasing margins, but here's why I think they may need to accept a slight decrease in margins in order to grow revenues and profits.
This group of releases includes: ASMP Asks for Legislative Action on HR 683; OnAsia Images Announces Distribution Partnership with laif in Germany; Beateworks Announces IPN as Adobe Bridge Portal; OnAsia Digital's Keyword Database Sets Industry Milestone; Digital Railroad Names Ryall VP of Marketing; and ShutterStock Offers Footage.
This story gives a picture of the consolidation that has taken place in the industry over the last few years, provides a breakdown of the companies that have been acquired and the acquirer. It also outlines some of the effects acquisitions have had on photographers.
Getty Images has moved into the micropayment market for stock photography with the purchase of iStockphoto for $50 million. Industry sources estimate that iStockphotos gross annual revenue for 2005 was between $5 and $8 million. The fee for using an iStockphoto image starts at $1.00.
Tom Grill says when comparing RPI from one
agency to another, photographers must keep in
mind the number of selects along with the type
of material that is being selected. The overall
return from the shoot takes precedence.
Jupiterimages has acquired all of the shares of Stock Image S.A.S (www.stockimage.fr) for approximately U.S. $11.1 million in cash. This includes the Stock Image RM brand and its RF Pixland (www.pixland.fr) brand.