In addition to raising print quantities and extending license durations, textbook publishers are increasingly asking for the rights to publish the same information for the same time period on password-protected Web sites. While publishers intends to charge for those passwords, they expect content producers not to count such uses as part of the circulation.
A year after Getty and Flickr first decided to launch the Flickr Collection, Getty Images has issued a Call for Artists. This provides Flickr users with an opportunity to submit work to the collection, offering a more proactive option than simply specifying they are open to being contacted by Getty within their account settings.
From a stock photography point of view, the future is bleak for those trying to sell images for textbook use. This segment of the stock photography business is on what appears to be an irreversible downward spiral.
San Francisco-based liveBooks has announced the infusion of $5 million in private funding into its photographer Web site business. The company has also introduced subscription-based pricing and templated Web sites, along with plans to expand into graphic and interior design markets.
Alamy sales for the third quarter of 2009 were flat compared to the second quarter, but were down 30% compared with the third quarter of 2008. U.S. Dollar and Euro sales were up slightly compared to last quarter 2009, but U.K. sales were down about 5%. Sales for the first three quarters of 2009 were down 30% compared to the same period in 2008.
The Swedish Picture Suppliers Association (BLF) says the first Scandinavian trade fair for picture buyers, Image for Sale, was a success. Attendee responses to a follow-up questionnaire were positive, with both visitors and exhibitors requesting a larger-scope event for next year.
Getty Images has secured exclusive agency rights to market Bloomberg Photos.
In less than 30 days, the Picture Archive Council of America will launch the beta version of pacaSearch, a new search engine expected to enable stock agencies -- particularly the smaller specialists -- to more effectively compete in today's very crowded market. The service will be free to PACA members.