When it comes to digital file size Bigger is usually considered Better. But, there are some down sides to always trying to offer the customer the largest possible file. This issue is explored in this article.
This story explains the differences betweeen Image-Exclusive and Non-Exclusive and the photographer's rights in each case. It also discusses how a ''Similars'' definition affects value in an Image-Exclusive relationship.
In the spring, PACA surveyed photographers in an effort to get a sense as to how the picture agency community could better serve photographers. This article details the results.
This article explains why sub-agents will continue to play an important and necessary role in the licensing of images marketed on the Internet. Many photographers think the Internet will make it possible to eliminate the middleman. This will not happen.
Stories in this issue include: Getty Call Center Statistics, Getty Pricing Strategy, Usage Fees Rising at Stock Connection, Cost of Credit Card Sales, Webshots Update, Boston Globe Update, AntiquesPortfolio Case in U.K., and new Managing Director at BIF in Mexico.
With Corbis offering 45% on commercial sales and 50% on editorial sales, and offering to eliminate catalog fees, I have prepared a comparison to show how photographers might benefit if Getty were to match these rates.
Getty's 2nd quarter shows flat revenue growth after an outstanding 1st quarter. Total sales were $123.6 million up from $104.8 million in the 1st quarter. However, this was the first full quarter that included VCG revenues which should have been approximately $22.5 million based on 1999 figures.
The new Corbis contract has been released. The good news is that royalty percentages are up for photographers, no dispute over photographer copyright ownership, no future catalog fees, options for image-excluive and image non-exclusive contracts, monthly payments and more. Also still a few problem areas of concern. Details of interest to photographers and other agencies.
Direct Stock has secured a seven figure venture capital investment from Stonehenge Capital Corporation to reshape directstock.com into an operation that can compete with Getty and Corbis for on-line sales.
Stories this month include: Stone Photographer Income Growth, Photographers Win On Copyright At Corbis, Outstanding 1st Quarter At Getty, Online Use, Getty/Geographic Deal, Freelances Sue Boston Globe, New Business Week Contract and Rates and other short items.
Short news items include: eMotion Secures $34 Million, Update on Boston Globe Freelancer Suit, Patrick Donohue Joins Corbis, Getty Acquires IPL in Australia, Art Resources Represents French Museums and Speeding Request to Photographers at The Image Works.
Corbis has announced a new division - Corbis Documentaries - that will operate as a production company and develop innovative documentaries for television, theatres, and the Internet. On another front there is a resurgence in demand for short six minute films to be used on the net. Hollywood moguls are backing student projects.
Corbis is listening to photographers and has made changnes in their position on copyright registration. The new clause that will be part of their New Standard Contract is included in this article.
Freelance writers, illustrators, and photographers of the Boston Globe have filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of one thousand freelancers, seeking an injunction in Massachusetts Superior Court against the Globe's unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Between 280 and 300 Stone photographers earned in excess of $10,000 in 1st quarter 2000. Of these between 196 and 210 (70%) had 1st quarter 2000 earning that were 20% higher than 1st quarter 1999.
Short news items include: Survey of Number of Stock Agency Scanned Images, Digital Video Seminars,Monkmeyer Closes, New Photographer Relations Manager for Stone and French Govt. Attack on Press Freedom.
If you think it will be a snap to keyword your images so people using other languages can find them -- think again. To get some idea about how hard it is to translate keywords into multiple languages consider some of the fiascos major corporations have had in trying to market their products in other countries.
Businenss Week has presented the details of their new working arrangements with photographers to many of the photographers who do regular assignments for the magazine. This agreement is a great improvement over Business Week's policies of a year ago. It is likely to set new industry standards which many publications will be forced to copy in order to compete.
Information from Index Stock Imagery, other agencies and individual photographers supplies additional perspective on the way images are acquired and used by Webshots. It appears images are properly licensed, although for very low fees.
The gettyone.com representation of the National Geographic Image Collection is causing quite a stir outside the U.S. Some readers believe the foreign agencies currently representing the NGIC catalogs will no longer have ''exclusive'' rights to license the images which is not the case. Gettyone.com's rights to the catalog images are restricted to the U.S.
Both Getty and Corbis are doing deals with sub-agents. Small agents need to consider how this strategy might benefit them and photographers need to consider why these big companies, with unlimited resources, are doing sub-agent deals rather than buying these companies outright.
Short news items include: Rebecca Taylor gone from FPG, Online Uses, Kleinn's sale of stock, European agency for sale, Webshots.com possibly infringing copyright and Content demands for the future.
Getty has announced first quarter revenue of $104.8 million that significantly exceeded investor expectations. This was up from $79.9 million in the 4th quarter of 1999. Wall Street analysts were predicting $85 million. Stone's revenues rose 45% since April 1, 1999.
Stories this month include: Photographer Profits Survey, Rate Increaase at Business Week, Getty Acquires VCG, Corbis Acquire TSM, Changing Educational Uses, and Future Shock - an indepth analysis of where the industry is headed. This story looks at the choices for photographers and small to mid-sized agencies.
Corbis announced Monday that they will acquire Sharpshooters. In coming months, Corbis will integrate Sharpshooters' images into its existing offer and customers will be able to search, access, and buy Sharpshooters' images in the same way they would buy other Corbis images.