I dont understand anything about Alamy and I dont bother with them anymore. I am accepted into their creative collection but I only had 1 sale few months back since I joined them in July. Plus their release policy is just ridiculous.
Looking at the other side. You have an unreleased image up on X-Micro as editorial. Someone downloads it and uses it on a dish soap bottle. The lady sues because she never signed a release. According to people here (and I don't know, I'm not a copyright lawyer!) That lady can sue the agency and the photographer? I doubt that they would, because claims follow the money and starving artists aren't worth the paperwork. :DI haven't looked into other agencies' T&Cs, but would avoid any who hadn't spelled this out.
But which way would you want it? You are covered by the agency contract, or you are potentially sued for doing nothing wrong?
someone who submits to the Creative collection is then unable to submit editorial.