pancakes

MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: "Confidential" email from Dreamstime  (Read 61547 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

« Reply #125 on: May 29, 2014, 02:19 »
0
As a new contributor I didn't get this email... lucky me, I guess.


« Reply #126 on: May 29, 2014, 03:06 »
+7
I think Laurin speaks on behalf of all of us....I know that after nine years of this I've just about had a gutful. Who do these people think they are?


stealthmode

« Reply #128 on: May 29, 2014, 03:30 »
+12
The email we sent was created by our legal department and our partners'. It's still our email and I won't pass the guilt on someone else: I'm sorry if it doesn't provide the information you want. This is what we were allowed to share. We tried to say more, but this thread is the sad proof that things can't be kept confidential.

Is this deal good? Yes, if it works well, it will be very good. If it doesn't or it's unfair, then it will not be allowed to run any further. If it goes well, everyone gets paid. If it doesn't, then it means the potential was not there, end of story.

How long it will run? Probably a few weeks, maybe more, maybe less. How large it is and why we didn't support it ourselves? Look at the size of our database, envision a larger partnership. Try to put things into perspective.

As for Dreamstime and its royalties. We still award 60% royalties to our exclusives like in day one.

Again, nobody is forcing you to participate. Feel free to opt out if the deal is not for you. Be respectful and you will be respected.

Emailing an "exclusive" offer to everybody and their cousin and then expect that it's kept confidential?

Come on, I would expect a bit more understanding of how communication works.
This is the sad proof, not this thread.

Confidential deals are made in person with a few selected ones, and with proper compensation.

« Reply #129 on: May 29, 2014, 03:37 »
+9

As for Dreamstime and its royalties. We still award 60% royalties to our exclusives like in day one.


What about the commissions the rest of us are being paid?

THP Creative

  • THP Creative

« Reply #130 on: May 29, 2014, 03:48 »
+6
How long it will run? Probably a few weeks, maybe more, maybe less.

Thanks Achilles, despite being vague, even a general timeframe is helpful. That was (part of) the info that was sorely missing, and may help some make up their mind about giving this the benefit of the doubt or not.

« Reply #131 on: May 29, 2014, 03:51 »
0
Yuri said a few weeks as well (over 1 year...)

anyway I am opt out even if it is a day only

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #132 on: May 29, 2014, 03:59 »
+6
I think Laurin speaks on behalf of all of us....I know that after nine years of this I've just about had a gutful. Who do these people think they are?
I agree but the post should really be on the FL thread. We have to be careful not to tar every agency with the same brush and reward the better ones. DT definitely isn't one of the worst.

Thanks to Achilles for chiming in here. I look forward to finding out more about the scheme down the line. Hopefully it is like the SS Facebook deal, not like some of the shady Getty deals/ giveaways.

I am just not prepared to take the gamble with my images until I know more.

« Reply #133 on: May 29, 2014, 04:18 »
+16
The email we sent was created by our legal department and our partners'. It's still our email and I won't pass the guilt on someone else: I'm sorry if it doesn't provide the information you want. This is what we were allowed to share. We tried to say more, but this thread is the sad proof that things can't be kept confidential.

Is this deal good? Yes, if it works well, it will be very good. If it doesn't or it's unfair, then it will not be allowed to run any further. If it goes well, everyone gets paid. If it doesn't, then it means the potential was not there, end of story.

How long it will run? Probably a few weeks, maybe more, maybe less. How large it is and why we didn't support it ourselves? Look at the size of our database, envision a larger partnership. Try to put things into perspective.

As for Dreamstime and its royalties. We still award 60% royalties to our exclusives like in day one.

Again, nobody is forcing you to participate. Feel free to opt out if the deal is not for you. Be respectful and you will be respected.


Emailing an "exclusive" offer to everybody and their cousin and then expect that it's kept confidential?

Come on, I would expect a bit more understanding of how communication works.
This is the sad proof, not this thread.

Confidential deals are made in person with a few selected ones, and with proper compensation.

The email we sent was created by our legal department and our partners'. It's still our email and I won't pass the guilt on someone else: I'm sorry if it doesn't provide the information you want. This is what we were allowed to share. We tried to say more, but this thread is the sad proof that things can't be kept confidential.

Is this deal good? Yes, if it works well, it will be very good. If it doesn't or it's unfair, then it will not be allowed to run any further. If it goes well, everyone gets paid. If it doesn't, then it means the potential was not there, end of story.

How long it will run? Probably a few weeks, maybe more, maybe less. How large it is and why we didn't support it ourselves? Look at the size of our database, envision a larger partnership. Try to put things into perspective.

As for Dreamstime and its royalties. We still award 60% royalties to our exclusives like in day one.

Again, nobody is forcing you to participate. Feel free to opt out if the deal is not for you. Be respectful and you will be respected.


Thanks for the update Achilles.  I understand the need for confidentiality and the need to only reveal partial information.  I can't blame anyone for being skeptical though.  We've experienced the google drive deal and microsoft deal, both of which where terribly rotten for contributors.... essentially giving our work away for free for eternity.  The Facebook deal with Shutterstock however, I'm a big fan of.  So I agree partnership deals can be good for everyone.

A couple things put you in a better light.  You warned us BEFORE the deal took place with an email, as apposed to an unseen forum post or nothing at all (what Fotolia and iStock seem to do) and you offered an opt out.  Two very important steps.

So... I'll trust you on this one and leave my images opted in.  If the deal turns out to be 'free images in exchange for "promotion" or free images in exchange for "more traffic to my portfolio" I'll be opting out / deleting images very quickly.  By the sounds of it, the deal will be paid exchange for image use... that is what I am expecting when all the details are laid out.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.
« Last Edit: May 29, 2014, 04:21 by leaf »

« Reply #134 on: May 29, 2014, 04:24 »
+9
I did not opt out because I'm against free use of my images.
If DST would have asked me to use a few (not 81) for free, for ONE TIME use in a beta test, I would probably not object at all.
But what if this beta test means that 100 test-customers can use my images in several projects?  That's a lot of sales potential lost ...  :'(
However, now that I DID opt out, I also loose sales potential, because my images are also opted out of the other partner sites.
So whatever I do, I don't like it.

« Reply #135 on: May 29, 2014, 04:25 »
+3
The email we sent was created by our legal department and our partners'. It's still our email and I won't pass the guilt on someone else: I'm sorry if it doesn't provide the information you want. This is what we were allowed to share. We tried to say more, but this thread is the sad proof that things can't be kept confidential.

Is this deal good? Yes, if it works well, it will be very good. If it doesn't or it's unfair, then it will not be allowed to run any further. If it goes well, everyone gets paid. If it doesn't, then it means the potential was not there, end of story.

How long it will run? Probably a few weeks, maybe more, maybe less. How large it is and why we didn't support it ourselves? Look at the size of our database, envision a larger partnership. Try to put things into perspective.

As for Dreamstime and its royalties. We still award 60% royalties to our exclusives like in day one.

Again, nobody is forcing you to participate. Feel free to opt out if the deal is not for you. Be respectful and you will be respected.

This is such a laugh!!!!!

"nobody is forcing you to participate."
You do - for example all contributors you have choosen for your "exciting business-model" and which have been in holiday!!!

"but this thread is the sad proof that things can't be kept confidential."
This thread is a hint that hoepefully the times are over that gready people can do what ever they want with contributors and their work.

Like Laurin Rinder said.
You are nothing without us and you get the respect you deserve.




« Reply #136 on: May 29, 2014, 04:29 »
+1
By the sounds of it, the deal will be paid exchange for image use... that is what I am expecting when all the details are laid out.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Leaf, do you mean "the beta deal will be paid for image use" or :  "the final deal will be paid for image use" ?

« Reply #137 on: May 29, 2014, 04:32 »
0
By the sounds of it, the deal will be paid exchange for image use... that is what I am expecting when all the details are laid out.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Leaf, do you mean "the beta deal will be paid for image use" or :  "the final deal will be paid for image use" ?


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.


I meant the final deal re: the above post by Achilles but he also stated they they will hopefully be able to pay royalties retroactively.

« Reply #138 on: May 29, 2014, 04:34 »
+6
exposure and hope!

how about paying bills?

« Reply #139 on: May 29, 2014, 04:41 »
+5
I got the message too. And Im by far not a "top contributor" and looking at the number of responses here Im also not one of the "few" who received the letter. Many contributors received it. So the previous two statements are not truth, I suppose some "clever mind" in the legal department came up with it, thinking that we will feel "special". This simply doesnt reflect the reality of today - contributors are no longer silent sheep who accept everything without a discussion. I think the representatives of agencies should spend more time reading the discussions going on here and elsewhere recently, about all great deals we have been experiencing. Then maybe they would realize that a straight talk would be much better than some flattering email sent only to the "few"...

« Reply #140 on: May 29, 2014, 04:46 »
+3
Is this deal good? Yes, if it works well, it will be very good.

Few my thoughts here and with full respect, but to be honest... We have subs. today which is not good thing for authors - it lets sell images for pitty prices, hundreds of images almost for free to wide RF usage (! clients can do almost everything with our work). So I wonder what better can be good deal today? Of course you can't tell that now, it's a secret and we'll get answer later, after few months. We'll see what is this new idea and what it gives us. I (we?) only hope it means better price (not lower!) for download (subs. are pathetic enough), or/ and more sales. Can you tell if my expectations go right way?
Btw. It's hard to forget FT or Veer (and many others) new great ideas which was hoping better sales and for better money... We're still waiting and as we can see it's not going to good.


How large it is and why we didn't support it ourselves? Look at the size of our database, envision a larger partnership. Try to put things into perspective.

First thing I think is giving some kind of packs of images for poor $ like FT did lately. This is the model that we know already and we're affraid of the most! You must understand.
 
Be respectful and you will be respected.

Exactly :)
« Last Edit: May 29, 2014, 04:49 by Ariene »

« Reply #141 on: May 29, 2014, 04:47 »
+15
I find it hard to believe that any professional could expect anyone to take anything on trust these days, specially in this business, and yet..... here we have people who , for one reason or another are willing to do just that.
It's a strange world.

« Reply #142 on: May 29, 2014, 04:51 »
0
I find it hard to believe that any professional could expect anyone to take anything on trust these days, specially in this business, and yet..... here we have people who , for one reason or another are willing to do just that.
It's a strange world.

well said!

« Reply #143 on: May 29, 2014, 05:39 »
+9
Mr Achilles, i would like to know what happens once the 5 days period you gave us to opt out ends. Are we supposed to be "in" forever after that?
Or maybe does it means we are in for the beta test period and once finished (who knows when) you are giving us the full details of the outcome and a new chance to decide, this time with information.
I have just opted out, if i change my mind in this 5 days period can I opt in again?
Also if we opt out, can then opt in once the test is finished?
Will we even know when the test ends?
Are we going the get the details of how many of our images were given away in the beta test?
I'm asking you with not real hope to get a straight answer, please surprise me!

« Reply #144 on: May 29, 2014, 05:43 »
+2
@Achilles:

Surely you can at least tell us what % of the income you would pass on to us if this went through?  That isn't something that would concern your partners.
You might also be able to say whether payments per use would be for sums of money similar to the current payments from DT, or would they be for fractions of a cent?

If I had assurances on these things I might give you the benefit of the doubt. If I'm left thinking that it might be some click-through system, where people get to use my image for as long as they like and I get thousandths of a cent in return, then I really can't contemplate reactivating my associate option.

(AND what Arquiplay77 says above - surely these things are independent of your partner's concerns and are simply matters of internal DT policy, which you should be free to tell us about).
« Last Edit: May 29, 2014, 05:45 by BaldricksTrousers »

« Reply #145 on: May 29, 2014, 06:33 »
+2
Just a few of us are in the project....   ???

« Reply #146 on: May 29, 2014, 07:05 »
-7
@Leaf
thanks for your private message where you informed me that you deleted one post out of this thread.
May i ask what post it was and why you think that it is "offtopic"?

As far as i see this thread is not only about the new "business model" - it is about the general question if DT is trustworthy or not.
And if i try to get an answer from achilles why DT still sells our images although even an attorney has been hired it is definitely not "offtopi" because it shows the level of "trust" DT deserves.

Of course i realized that you are one of just few who claims for understanding against DT in this thread.
May i ask with all the given respect if there is a closer relation between you and DT than you have with other agencies?

« Reply #147 on: May 29, 2014, 07:26 »
+3
A personal Note to Achilles...

My friend I've been with you since day one But...The time has come to tell you and anyone else reading and listening to whats going on lately has to Know.....

Achilles....Without us, You and your site is dead and I mean dead. You and the other sites biggest issue is , You and others still after all this time have no clue or respect for what we go through to give you our hearts and soul through our work, The time and Money we invest in supplying you with your income and vast income. We own everything...You and all the other sites own Nothing But server space and some furniture. The sooner you and all the other greedy sites realize this the better off you will be going forward. FT set off a firestorm and It's about time, I've been saying since 2006 we have to unite and we Finally are.

This is not going to stop and I prey it doesn't. This crap cannot go on and I will spend whatever time it takes to alarm everyone about the continuing injustice we have been through.


If any site cannot make a decent profit with product they don't make themselves at a 50/50 split from every dollar then maybe it's time to do something else.


The Gravy train is over my Old friend, We are starting to rise up and I Prey we don't stop....Is it to late? well ya. We were lazy and let this happen. But Im afraid FT and now you have awoken a sleeping Giant and Thank God it's about time.

Ya better hear this Achilles and Oleg and Jon. Those of us that do the work, Invest in our craft deserve more. There is no creative agency anywhere that takes more than 50% of any artists work.

You can spin this anyway you want, and this message is not about your new test program...it's about Our future, Not the gullible newbies that are happy getting 20 cents or whatever....You want to target them Like the others? Go for it.

245,000 Images are new just this week on SS. WHY?   because no one Gives a crap.  if thats what you want, Well you got it.

My advise is make it as fast as you can because WE OWN EVERYTHING!! You own Nothing and the sooner you get this the better you will Position yourself for the future because no matter what you think, it's gonna change and come back to us..  That I will guarantee or die trying.


I would rather make 800 Million and take care of the people who made that happen than make a Billion.  All you owners have to get your head straight. 50/50 or nothing!!!  No Business makes a better margin than that. You can't? Then business is not your forte"

I wish you the best of Luck and also My Comrades whom I will always support regardless of there opinions.

Laurin Rinder.

These bolded comments are why DT or any other agency for that matter don't care.  They have the critical mass on their side.  The newbies, I assume many of them, are producing good work that would easily replace our work 10 fold. Secondly, MANY, and I mean MANY contributors do not know what's going on or if they do don't understand the consequences.  And then there are those who understand it and accept it.  This places a strong weight in the goal post of the FT's and DT' sand DP's and they know it.....AND THIS IS WHY THEY DO IT.  If they were in any way AT RISK of losing most of their images they would reverse course or not even go there, but the preverbal ball is in their court, unfortunately.  Don't get me wrong.  I support everything you said, Lauren.  I am trying to bring logic as to WHY the agencies don't care.
« Last Edit: May 29, 2014, 07:31 by Mantis »

« Reply #148 on: May 29, 2014, 07:42 »
+2
@Mantis
thats true and a plea for more education / clarification of facts.
These people who accept and dont care about all this rip-off will one day realize that they did ruin their mean of existence.
but the onces who just dont know whats going on can be enlightened.

« Reply #149 on: May 29, 2014, 09:26 »
+7
I am a new to stock, still I follow this forum and I trust the elders, I care just as much as the most worried contributor around. Maybe it's time to think about a super meta orginized stock contributor global federation. I would pay good money along with others if it means that there will be a strong official contributors organization. Not a volentery organization but a full blown hardcore coalition !


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
125 Replies
38863 Views
Last post June 07, 2008, 02:48
by Microbius
96 Replies
36666 Views
Last post July 12, 2008, 11:31
by Pixel-Pizzazz
6 Replies
6063 Views
Last post November 24, 2011, 04:51
by StockCube
13 Replies
4271 Views
Last post July 14, 2016, 04:18
by SpaceStockFootage
2 Replies
7645 Views
Last post July 14, 2016, 00:42
by Chichikov

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors