Shutterstock comission raise starting May 2008

Shutterstock announced in their forums that there will be a comission change in May.

In March/April they will try the new price points and set the comission raise value. In May, they'll announce the new price structure and submitter comission. A bit late, in my oppinion, but late is much better than never. They're the last of the big sites to change the comission plan.

Here's the official thread on their forum.

Getty Images to be acquired by Hellman & Friedman

Getty Images (hence istockphoto) announced today that it agreed to be acquired by Hellman & Friedman for a value of $2.4 Billion.

Here's the Press Release.

iStockPhoto also filed a statement on the transaction, guaranteeing nothing will change for iStock users with the new owners.

StockXpert Footage

From today, you can upload and sell your movie clips on StockXpert.

StockXpert joined the RF footage world. As usual, you have to make an application and, if you're approved, you can either upload via FTP or send your clips via regular mail on CD / DVD.

Comissions are set at 40% and and prices vary between 10 and 50 US$ (4 and 20 US$ comissions) depending on resolution. You can request a payout once you get to US$100.

Here's a link to The rules of footage submission at StockXpert.

In consequence, and on a side note, StockXpert has now two different logos for photo and video.

There are now three sites selling footage: Shutterstock, iStock and StockXpert.

A market that seems to be growing in visibility and may be well worth looking into.

From LuckyOliver, with Love!

LuckyOliver has announced a new payment structure.

Starting Marh this year, the payouts will drop to U$25 (the previous value was U$100). More, the people at LuckyOliver are offering a Valentine's day gift to all their beloved contributors. From now on, if you have $1 or more on your account, you can request it on Valentine's day. Now there's an idea... Way to go!

This was my only quirck with LO. I've always thought that lowering the payout would motivate the contributors. They seem to have finally agreed.

Here's a link to the Official Press Release

Dreamstime introduces Editorial Licenses

Dreamstime announced today the acceptance of Editorial Images.

These images don't need model or property releases and should be directly connected and pertinent to current events, news and political stories, social and cultural scenes.



Read the full announcement.