MicrostockGroup

It looks like Getty disconnected them from subscription sites. In the letter they sent to contributors they encourage them to submit images to IStock:

"As we phase out Stockxpert images on Photos.com and JIUnlimited, the plan is to introduce images to Photos.com and JIUnlimited from the iStockphoto collection.

As you may already know, iStockphoto is the industry leader in microstock. If you are not yet a contributor to iStockphoto, we would encourage you to apply, and start building your iStockphoto collection. It is a great opportunity for you to increase your earnings and visibility, while engaging in one of the world.s largest and most dynamic creative communities. iStockphoto provides a wealth of information and ideas for you to grow from."

What next, folding out their collection into IStock?

Well, I am really pissed off due to this Getty manouvers!

They want me to upload my portfolio to istock? It is insane! iStock 'don't need' my vectors in contrary of hundreds of sales I am having on JUI/Photos.com!

I am going to put all my eggs into competition baskets!

Cheers!

Luvly, and there goes the unpaid commissions of hundred of contributors. Into the pockets of Getty, I guess.

Why they spent time and money for pruning images that violate Getty policies?

It appears the ship is going down and getty was the driver, i do not believe that they can close the doors and not pay contributors what is owed. Maybe they can do that for people who buy a subscription. All the uncertainty about StockXpert has got to be a problem for people who are thinking about joining or for buyers. Why would you buy a year subscription for a thousand dollars only for the place to close down in 4 months. Buyers do not care where they get their images but they do care about losing money for a product or subscription they have paid for. If this is not what Getty wants then why have we not heard them telling everyone not to worry or please do not leave we are on your side. Instead all i hear from them is silence. It is even hard to get any support or an admin to respond to a simple question. 

That's crazy. I'm not going to contribute to IS. But it is obviously the first step to close StockXpert I'm pretty sure the original StockXpert-Contributors will get kicked out of the site and in the end there will be just a straight redirect to IS same goes to SXC.

so whats the plan guys? Are you still uploading to stockxpert? On the one hand I would like to continue uploading cause its a good selling agency for me but on the other hand all my efforts (uploading time) could be wasted in a few month?!

ups, i have to get familiar with this tool, sorry

I just renewed my uploading of new images yesterday, and they were approved . That quick. Back to the old StockXpert review time I was used to getting.  As those who read my thread on StockXpert know, this has not happened to me for a long time since November 2008. This change signals to me as a good change , that stability is once again maintained. Hopefully so.
My interpretation of the email is that "if you opted in, you can still get this by joining IS". But if you prefer you can stay on with StockXpert , except there will not be this option plan.
If , as pointed out elsewhere, they are planning to kill StockXpert, why would they resume the efficiency of their review system?

Maybe, that your royalty payments are not necessarily an indication of overall market size?

Because noone is uploading right now?

.. "folding their collection into Istock" .. do you really think they would take the time?

What would be interesting to see is how (if) this is being presented to the buyers at JUI and photos.com who are suddenly going to start seeing images disappear. Especially since from the IS end it is not whole portfolios that are moving just the dregs from the portfolios of people that opt in.

What initially seems really bizarre to me is that they seem to have decided to close down StockXpert but feel they can use places like photos.com in some way.

However,  if they are killing StockXpert .. why go through this intermediate step of doing this? .. my guess is irrespective of the future of StockXpert this move is about clearing out competition to generate some sales for the IS images to be placed their.  I ca'tn figure another way that there is any sense to it.

and just to continue stream of consciousness with another however ... However, the  encouragement to join IS and the lack of a single positive statement about StockXpert is very very telling.

Well, as I am concerned they may stick that 25 cents in butt of their decision maker ;-)