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Agency Based Discussion => General - Top Sites => Topic started by: RGebbiePhoto on August 26, 2010, 00:13

Title: iStock Model Releases
Post by: RGebbiePhoto on August 26, 2010, 00:13
Ok, NOW what?
I've been submitting to iStock for a while now, and have several model images up. But now, I'm getting this rejection for EVERY model image I am putting up:

++This image uses a non-standard form of model release. Although we accept valid model releases that are not in iStockphoto's standard form, the model release attached with this photograph does not comply with iStockphoto's legal standards. In the future we recommend that you use the standard iStockphoto release.,

These releases are ALREADY on the site with other photos. These are not new releases.  I have model name, address, phone number, e-mail address, birthdate, AND a copy of their driver's license attached to the release. I also have photographer's signature, our company name, contact information, AND witness signature, printed witness name and date.
So, what am I missing??  Should I submit to Scout? Or just stop uploading people? It's quite discouraging, and I worry that if I make too big a fuss, they will pull ALL of my model images from the site, as I have been using the same release since the beginning. Anyone have a clue for me?
Title: Re: iStock Model Releases
Post by: Dook on August 26, 2010, 01:06
They will not pull your images from the site, those images are already accepted. Just start using Istock/Getty MR that you can download from the site. I use this one:
http://contributors.gettyimages.com/img/articles/downloads/SAMPLE_Model_Release_-_English_-_Dec_2008.pdf (http://contributors.gettyimages.com/img/articles/downloads/SAMPLE_Model_Release_-_English_-_Dec_2008.pdf)
but it's the same at Istock.
If you have pictures with MR already signed and not uploaded yet, the best thing you can do is to ask models to sign it again on a new MR form.
Title: Re: iStock Model Releases
Post by: Caz on August 26, 2010, 02:35
Anyone have a clue for me?


Hard to say as we can't see your release. The model release requirements changed in September 2009, so perhaps the shots you already have online were taken before then? Here's a link to the article & discussion about the new release requirements back in September. http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view.php?ID=648 (http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view.php?ID=648)   It's impossible to guess why your release isn't compliant with current requirements without seeing it. And if you want a definitive answer, rather than our speculation, open a ticket with contributor relations, or phone them, and they will be able to give you the official answer.
Title: Re: iStock Model Releases
Post by: CJM Grafx on August 26, 2010, 06:26
I understand your frustrations, I went through a couple issues in regards to a model releases in the past. In their defense, after we resolved the issue (using customer service), it was my fault and I corrected the problem. Now I am exclusive, so I just use their form and it makes things much easier.

As the others have posted, we can speculate what the issue is all day long, but your best course of action is using customer service. Yes, it may take a couple of extra days, but in the long run it will save you a lot of headache.

It could be a new inspector who doesn't feel your release has all the criteria needed or some change in policy passed down to inspectors, for instance does your release have all the legal jargon on it to cover you and iStock from liability?

Good luck and I hope you get this resolved quickly,
Joe
Title: Re: iStock Model Releases
Post by: RGebbiePhoto on August 30, 2010, 10:55
Thank you for your answers.

I figured out the issue, I was using a large date range for the shoots for models we use frequently. The 2 model releases in question (wife and business partner) were assumed to be covered under the blanket "self-portrait" images, as all three of us are covered under our Company blanket.

Corrected and resolved :) Thanks!