Well said.

I think the underlying issue is a power shift. Back in the earlier days of microstock there was an eagerness on the part of sites (for the most part) to build their collections. They weren't yet making much money and then wanted contributors and their photos, illustrations, videos, etc.

As the microstock segment of the industry stopped being just an idea the trads made fun of and started making real money for the sites, the collections got bigger and slowly the power balance shifted towards the agencies. Now, we're in a situation where we need them more than they need us - individually anyway.

Once in a while you get a situation where people with power don't wield it to their own advantage, but that's rare - and it's certainly not what we are seeing at the moment with the established microstock sites.

Exellent post!!!

Could it be as simple as this?  the micro-industry has peaked, I think we know this and so does the agencies, its had its glory days and now its just a matter of hanging in there, surviving, so to speak.
Contributors and especially exclusives with large ports, etc, have invested so much time and effort over the years, they have come to rely on their agency to put food on the table, thereby they have cornered themself into a situation where they really have no option but ride it out, no matter what. Horrible situation really, its either take it or get out.

With this in mind, is it any surprise?  the agencies dont need us but we need them, giving them carte-blanche to do and act exactly the way they want, they could in fact cut percentages down a lot further and STILL the majority would have no option but to stay.