AIPA NEWS: DECEMBER 2007
As 2007 draws to a close it seems appropriate that we highlight two important developments that have occurred recently in the professional photographic industry. Unfortunately these events aren’t exactly positive, and first and foremost amongst them is the continued devaluing of stock photography.In September Getty Images (the world’s largest provider of stock imagery) announced a new US$49 “web use” license for images from all of its collections, including its highest quality Rights Managed collections. With this move, Getty effectively slashed the value of commercial web use licenses by up to 96% off their established rates for Rights Managed photography.
In response, a coalition of artists’ groups led by Stock Artists Alliance (SAA) called for Getty Images to remove all Rights Managed (and Rights Ready) imagery from the scheme. This global coalition continues to grow, and today represents more than 50,000 artists from 17 trade associations (including the AIPA).
Within weeks Getty announced that the licence term would be reduced from twelve months to three months. Although this was certainly a positive move it fell short of addressing the serious concerns that the coalition raised in its communication to Getty Images CEO Jonathan Klein.
Dialog between Getty Images and the SAA has continued in earnest over the past few months, and by the time this column goes to print further developments will have been announced. Visit the AIPA website for the latest on this important issue.
Closer to home we have seen a growing trend where some of New Zealand’s more regular commissioners of photography (including two government agencies) have taken it upon themselves to create their own photographic ‘terms of engagement’. Freelance photographers are being pressured to sign the new contracts before being awarded any assignments.
Not surprisingly these client-generated documents are almost always one-sided affairs. Photographers are expected to give up all rights to their images while assuming much of the liability in the event of their misuse, often in return for ridiculously low fees. Obviously signing one of these contracts is an extremely unwise business decision – however some photographers continue to ignore the risks and submit to their clients every wish and whim. Certainly this is a recipe for disaster for any independent business owner.
Both of these trends will no doubt continue in 2008. Here at the AIPA we continue to encourage all serious photographers to act in the best interests of both their own business and the industry as a whole by:
- Saying no to bad deals
- Employing terms of engagement that are fair and equitable for both parties (such as the AIPA Terms & Conditions of Engagement)
- Joining or maintaining membership in a trade association that will take a stand on important issues
Aaron K
AIPA Executive Director
