Industry consolidation continues as Corbis, the second largest seller of still stock images, moves to acquire Zefa, the third largest seller. Gross revenue for Corbis in 2003 was about $140 million and they have projected $164 million for 2004. Zefa is reported to have had annual sales of about $43 million in 2003.
Jupitermedia has reported revenues for the third quarter of 2004 of $18.8 million compared to revenues of $13.3 million for the same period in 2003. Net income for the third quarter was $5.1 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $653,000 or $0.02 per diluted share, for the same period last year.
In this issue there are stories on: Stockphotofinder.com, Blend Images, SAA White Paper on RF, Klein Outlines Growth Plans, Picturearts Expands Creative Team, Digital Railroad, More Major Acquisitions??, Dynamic Graphics Buys IT Stock, New Getty Suppliers and Image Breakdown, GD:USA Annual Stock Survey and Getty Third Quarter Results
The New York Federal District Court has issued a ruling that will make it very difficult for photographers to make significant recoveries for unauthorized uses of their images unless the images were registered in advance. This ruling also makes it imperative for photographers to register their images prior to offering them for licensing. And finally, the ruling may encourage more unauthorized use because the penalties for such are less severe.
Jupitermedia has announced a new low-priced subscription service for Comstock images called Comstock 1700k Subscription. Customers may acquire rights to unlimited use of 20,000 Comstock images for an annual fee of $1,199.
Getty Images has announced the opening of the largest photo bureau operating in Beijing as well as the addition of six editorial image collections including Aurora, Christian Science Monitor and National Geographic.
Bahar Gidwani provides useful information on the stock industry on his blog at www.dimdump.com. In this article I have reprinted, with permission, a two part series on Business Abstracts and his story on Editorial vs. Advertising vs. Foreign to give you a flavor of what he has to offer.
This story includes items on: PACA Names Executive Director, Epison Visual Search in Photoshop Elements, Are Average RM Prices Climbing?, Are Digital Files TOO Sharp?, Index Launches Subscription Site, OnRequest And Index Partner, and Trade Association Conference Dates Set.
Photographers and small stock agencies have a new option to consider called tockPhotoFinder.com as they attempt to compete with Getty and Corbis. This search engine will out-Google Google when
Looking for pictures. Image suppliers receive 100% of the fee negotiated for the use of their
images. See why.
Getty Images has reported that third quarter revenue grew 17.4 percent to $153.5 million compared to $130.8 million in the third quarter of 2003. Net income for the third quarter was $26.7 million or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $9.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2003.