Microstock Group - A meeting place for microstock photographers

SXP has recently announced a partnership with Photos.Com which has raised concerns with contributors; mainly for two reasons: 

1.  Contributors no longer have the choice to opt out of sub sales; and

2.  Contributors will receive 30 cents per sub sale from Photos.Com; although this commission is the same as SXP, the license permists use on products that require Extended or Enhanced License purchases elsewhere.

Your name is anonymous unless you state your intentions in a post to this thread.

You can only vote once - but you CAN change your vote if you change your mind.

Right, and the market has sort of decided that isn't "fair" (see all the new $1 for anything sites that quickly disappear), so we've sort of established what is "fair" these days.  Somewhat limited rights (keep usage to promotional work), anywhere from $3ish to$20ish based on size.

The real problem is if we continue to work with SXP now, it means that we are ready to accept everything. Why others, "fair" sites like SS will give us every year increase ?
Payouts will decrease everywhere and very soon in this case. So before make this decision think about what you can lose in ENTIRE microstock and not only at SXP. Are you sure that SS, IS... are altruists ? Maybe that's the reason why DT is waiting with royalties updates...

Nobody Panic!!!!

Panic!!!!!!! Panic!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong:

It sounds like this new arrangement does not affect those who are already opted in for subs and it does not (in theory) affect overall earnings for people like me who almost never get ELs anyway.

Is that accurate?

Interesting point Helix.

I just did a calculation. From my last 5000 dls at SS I had about 15 Els. Which is quite good I suppose.
Lets assume the Photos.com royalty for SXP contributers. 5000 X 0.3 = $1500
Lets assume $20 for an EL: 15X 20 = $300
So I would loose 20% income. If however the XL and XXL sales would provide the 20% which I am loosing which could be quite possible than I am not really loosing income.
However I do think the licensing terms are unfortunate but we will not see a lot of SS customers, fotolia or DT customers switching to a new site. I believe most of the customers are not so familar with the sites as we are anyway. 

Jsnover.

1. I know that we do get $28 at SS. Then make it $28 and it will be 28%. I still think the Xl and XXL sales can make up for it.

2. The pricing is actually $49 - $299. Of course they can buy it cheaper elsewhere, if they find it. But why do so many people still buy royalty-free at traditional agencies?

3. $0.3 commission is not that good, I agree and I wish it would be higher, but at least they have taken the step to limit it to roughly 4,3 MP.

The photos.com model has advantages for some customers, but not for everyone. Look at the high prices for the XL and XXL sizes. I am also   pretty certain most bigger customers would prefer to stick to one agency.

I am actually looking forward how it will turn out. If it however seems to turn out negatively....

I totally agree licensing is the most concerning part of this.

I still find it incredible that they have given us just a few days to digest this.  It looks like a huge change and people away for 2 weeks wont of had the choice to remove their images if they don't want to participate.  That seems unprofessional to me and I now have serious doubts about the people running SXP.

They need to do something quick to restore my faith in them.  They should at least postpone this until the end of August, so that we all have a chance to make a decision.

SXP is 7th in earnings for me. Dropping it would not hurt me.

SXP were my highest earner right up until 4th July when all downloads seemed to have stopped. I'm still getting the views but no downloads. Anyone else found this? So, for me, it's as if I've pulled my portfolio already! But I'm going to stay to see if sales pick back up before making a decision.

I'm having very good sales in SXP.  Even an XL this week - I love those 10 credits! 

Regards,
Adelaide

81 Voters, and 10 with no intention to leave SXP (Steve, one of those must be you  ) and most of the rest on the fence.

If the poll dies before the town-hall, would someone mind posting a comment on the bottom to bring it up to the top. 

Maybe after the town-hall opinions will change.  Remember - you can remove your vote as it is, and place a new vote.

Steve-O thanks for the invitation to the town hall, but I am one of those that start summer vacation tonight.  You are a very considerate rep of SXP, I am sorry that you are always the one who is attacked when something controversial comes up.