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Author Topic: "Confidential" email from Dreamstime  (Read 61306 times)

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« Reply #25 on: May 28, 2014, 10:30 »
+4
Opted out. No agency gets freebies from me anymore!


« Reply #26 on: May 28, 2014, 10:32 »
+7
Either I'm a dirtbag, or I didn't get the e-mail because I was already opted out of the partnerships (based on finding my work hither, thither and yon and not liking that).

If someone wanted to do a test for working out the bugs, I'd be happy for them to do that, but if this beta includes real ads for real customers, then there should be compensation AND it would be reasonable to have a separate opt out for giveaways (if they really feel they must) and for the paid alliances.

I don't want to participate in the partner programs, but supposing someone did, but just didn't want to have their work donated (and I'm sure they picked the best sellers, not the new images with no downloads yet)? They have to do an all or nothing opt out to avoid the freebies.

Not good.

Tryingmybest

  • Stand up for what is right
« Reply #27 on: May 28, 2014, 10:35 »
+3
Well stated. EXCITING news would be an increase in pay!!!  :o

What the ... A broken link for the opt-out?

Only one image is selected from my library, but how does this benefit me? How is this "EXCITING NEWS"?

stealthmode

« Reply #28 on: May 28, 2014, 10:36 »
+7
This could turn into something good - similar to the Shutterstock-Facebook deal or into something bad - similar to the Getty free embedding.

Anyway, a very bad start for Dreamstime:
1. Lying about the "small scale" while a lot of us are invited;
2. Asking to contribute our images for free while they could and should at least pay a sub;
3. Not giving enough information to allow us to decide.

dpimborough

« Reply #29 on: May 28, 2014, 10:45 »
+2
opt out link is there. But not working.


I had the same problem but if you copy and paste http://www.dreamstime.com/alliances it will take you to the page where you can opt out :)
« Last Edit: May 28, 2014, 10:50 by dpimborough »


« Reply #31 on: May 28, 2014, 10:54 »
+2
How long will last the evaluation period?

« Reply #32 on: May 28, 2014, 11:00 »
+1
No e-mail for me even tho opted in to alliances.  Now opted out.  When beta is done and we find out what royalties we get I might opt back in. 

SS gives usual sub royalty for this and there was no request for free images to test it. 

« Reply #33 on: May 28, 2014, 11:04 »
+3
"2. This is NOT free."


you bet... it's not free for us, we have expenses producing these photos.

« Reply #34 on: May 28, 2014, 11:06 »
+5
OK, since this got out, here are a few details.

1. This is confidential because we're under an agreement. The email says that. We've always been transparent. We did our best to share more, our partners didn't agree.
2. This is NOT free. Once the partnership ends, we evaluate results and negotiate best royalties given the volume. The real deal will begin then. We plan to do our best to pay royalties retroactively.
3. We don't get paid for the test either, there is no scam. Just like you, we've adding our infrastructure and we've been working on this for quite a while.
4. We did tests like these in the past and we paid the royalties ourselves. This is a large size  project and we can't support them, even if the scale of the initial test is small. 0.01% of something huge could still be significant. We need our contributors support and we sent them an email asking for that. You can opt out, nobody is forcing you to accept.

Again, I'm sorry for not being able to share more. I'm actually very enthusiastic about it since this could be the biggest partnership a stock agency can hope for. It could turn out into a great deal, unlike other negative examples that sadly, you've been exposed to.

Thank you for your support.
Thanks for dropping by and explaining what you can.  Did you really think it was not going to "get out"? :):)

I appreciate that this is a test/trial and development costs are involved.  I appreciate your offer to pay retroactively if that is possible.  I'm going to stay in and see what happens, unlike other 'schemes' we have been exposed to you gave fair notice, allowed an opt out and only selected a few images instead of the whole portfolio.  A much more reasonable and up front plan than some others.  I might have suggested that the email be an "opt in" rather than "opt out" to allow only those that want to participate to do so, but OK at least you warned us.

And I must say I am proud to be one of the "top Dreamstime contributors".  Considering my sales volume I feel really bad for those who are not "top Dreamstime contributors", they must be starving.;)

« Reply #35 on: May 28, 2014, 11:08 »
+3
opted out

« Reply #36 on: May 28, 2014, 11:09 »
+3
38 of mine for a give-away?  Not just no but _ELL NO!  Congratulations, DT, you just joined my scumbag list along with FT, DP and IS.

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #37 on: May 28, 2014, 11:11 »
+13
How can anyone opt in with zero information? Not even how long it's going to be going on for.

"will you give away your images for free for an indeterminate amount of time?"

Well obviously no.

« Reply #38 on: May 28, 2014, 11:12 »
+6
I tried to give Dreamstime the benefit of the doubt, I really did.  But what benefit can there be to participating in a trial where my work is given to customers and I get no direct benefit beyond a hope (not in the original letter) that some compensation may be given when the trial is done?  The loss to me may be small, but the benefit is even smaller if it exists at all.  And beyond that it's all unknowns, including the duration of the trial.  The only reason I can see to participate is that opting out means losing any third party sales as well.  Better to opt out for now until and unless more information becomes available that changes the equation.

« Reply #39 on: May 28, 2014, 11:13 »
+4
At least we are being informed.

But it should really state the duration of the experimental period at least.

« Reply #40 on: May 28, 2014, 11:17 »
+3
why can't we know the details behind the deal?

if not why dont you work on the deal and let us know after, ain't that more simple? why don't you try it with DT admins pictures?

I have always heard that we should read an agreement before signing

ultimagina

« Reply #41 on: May 28, 2014, 11:21 »
0
4 images selected. Not my best. I'll give it a try. I guess i will be able to opt out later, if i don't see any changes and only free give-aways.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

« Reply #42 on: May 28, 2014, 11:23 »
+24
Dear Contributor,
You should be exceedingly grateful because we have decided to donate your hard work to a secret advertising project.  Now you might or might not get a few pennies down the road at some time in the future, but don't count on it.  These poor advertisers can't afford to pay you anything but just think of the wonderful EXPOSURE your work will receive!  Here is the (non-working) link to opt out if you choose to turn down this exciting offer.

« Reply #43 on: May 28, 2014, 11:26 »
0
Surprised the DT admin posted here, but even more surprised he thought this is a good deal for us.  It screams BOHICA to me!

« Reply #44 on: May 28, 2014, 11:37 »
+1
Surprised the DT admin posted here, but even more surprised he thought this is a good deal for us.  It screams BOHICA to me!

he is the CEO/founder/owner of DT

Goofy

« Reply #45 on: May 28, 2014, 11:40 »
+2
OK, since this got out, here are a few details.

1. This is confidential because we're under an agreement. The email says that. We've always been transparent. We did our best to share more, our partners didn't agree.
2. This is NOT free. Once the partnership ends, we evaluate results and negotiate best royalties given the volume. The real deal will begin then. We plan to do our best to pay royalties retroactively.
3. We don't get paid for the test either, there is no scam. Just like you, we've adding our infrastructure and we've been working on this for quite a while.
4. We did tests like these in the past and we paid the royalties ourselves. This is a large size  project and we can't support them, even if the scale of the initial test is small. 0.01% of something huge could still be significant. We need our contributors support and we sent them an email asking for that. You can opt out, nobody is forcing you to accept.

Again, I'm sorry for not being able to share more. I'm actually very enthusiastic about it since this could be the biggest partnership a stock agency can hope for. It could turn out into a great deal, unlike other negative examples that sadly, you've been exposed to.

Thank you for your support.

SHAME ON YOU! In future do not hide crap like this on us! We will find out as this team is open to telling the truth! Simple- just be honest and straight up to our faces!
« Last Edit: May 28, 2014, 11:43 by Goofy »

« Reply #46 on: May 28, 2014, 11:42 »
+25
I've always liked DT. I'd like to think this would be a good deal for us - but how can anybody enter into a business deal on the basis:

1) We won't tell you what the deal is
2) You have a few days to reject the offer, otherwise you are automatically (locked?) in.
3) This commits you to acceptance of the unknown deal for an unspecified time.
4) At the end of the unspecified time maybe you will or will not get paid something - unspecified - for the way your work has been used.

Would Serban sign up his own company (DT) for something on those conditions? If so, I think I can make him an offer here and now!

Maybe he has come up with a great deal but I can't walk into it with a blindfold on.

(Thank you, at least, for informing us in advance and providing the opt-out)

Goofy

« Reply #47 on: May 28, 2014, 11:46 »
+5
Why not post this concept/idea to us in the first place- than use our 'Feedback' to decide if the venture is worth it for both us and your company. You will be surprised how smart we are and fair!

« Reply #48 on: May 28, 2014, 11:47 »
+2
Isn't EXPOSURE usually harmful? Most people do not want any EXPOSURE.

EmberMike

« Reply #49 on: May 28, 2014, 11:59 »
+22
Quote
Dreamstime has agreed to undertake a small scale beta test program that permits the use of images in online advertising.

Small scale but too big to pay contributors for it. Hmm...

We don't get paid for the test either, there is no scam. Just like you, we've adding our infrastructure and we've been working on this for quite a while.

Someone is getting something of value. The advertising testing is real ad placement, right? So someone's goods or services are being promoted. That's valuable.

You're our agent, you're supposed to incur costs to test new products. But we shouldn't see our content given away for free in real settings where someone is getting value out of the use of our content. That's not testing, that's use.


 

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