MICROSTOCK AUTHORS ASSOCIATION  -  maybe it is time to establish 

Nope and Nope.

I like the idea of an association or a union I am just not sure how it could work out considering we are all over the world, with sometimes completely different legislation regarding unions / associations.
I think it would be a more efficient way make our voice heard than a petition.
I am also curious about the arguments of not doing it, maybe there was a discussion before that I missed?

When I saw micro AA, I thought of people with a small alcohol problem, probably quite appropriate.  I don't like the idea because all we have ever needed is a site majority owned by contributors and if that's not possible, I don't think an association is going to help.

Quote from: PureArt on November 17, 2016, 13:08

Any particular reasons for "yes" or "no", guys and girls? Now your conversation looks childish like:
- Yes, yes, yes!
- No, no, no!

The idea of any type of an association or a union in microstock is childish itself. There tons of questions which obviously don't have answers.
Imagine you have a union.
Why on earth any stock site authorities would listen to it? Would union recall ALL members' portfolios in some crisis situation? OK, then there would be several hundreds/thousands of new Chinese and Belarusian contributors to fill empty seats. Those people are not treacherous, they just can't speak or read English to figure out any union membership idea. They are simply using some autotranslation tools for titles and keywording.

Imagine you have a union.
Who would pay the operating costs? How would be calculated monthly fee? $5 is nothing to Axiomimages (I peronally doubt they need such a b*s* at all). $5 is enough to buy food for African family for couple of days.

Imagine you have a union.
Would it control pricing of its members on sites like Pond5? There is obviously no "one size fits all". Who and how would determine and continuously control the "fair" pricing?

Thank you for taking the time to explain, I appreciate it.

Quote from: PureArt on November 17, 2016, 13:08

Any particular reasons for "yes" or "no", guys and girls? Now your conversation looks childish like:
- Yes, yes, yes!
- No, no, no!

What is your leverage or barging power over the agencies. Without that it's just an empty friendship club. This isn't just words, it's the essence and bottom line of any union and the power to negotiate. No power, no leverage, you have nothing.

Somebody tell me how you pressure the agencies with no power or control.

NO! and that's why it will never work.

The only thing that will work is if EVERYONE puller their ports....that will never work and therefore neither would a union. Point taken.

... all we have ever needed is a site majority owned by contributors and if that's not possible ...

Why do you think it is not possible? Because SymbioStock community is so small and their search engine is pitiful? Or the problem is not in the engine? Is it about SEO?

There are millions of ways a Association could help. It is just not possible with people who refuse to believe in any community project or think the only way to change things is mass deleting portfolios or directly attack agencies.

Some examples (assuming a association with some basic membership fee):

- File lawsuits against Agencies whenever their decisions are questionable legally. For example, one big agency is giving away our images basically for free through a partnership program. I do not know the legalities, but a competent lawyer surely would find thousands of vulnerable points.

- Engage someone to publish and write articles, investigates and researches situations and give us a voice.

A nice article on petapixel e.g. about the ridiculous Inspection standards on SS for example would be very useful. These thing do not change anything overnight, but it would give us a voice and strengthen our position.

- Write formal letters with explanation requests.

- Control partner programs and intimidate legally Agencies if necessary.

Right now, nobody can really change anything because we would be immediately threatened with account suspension etc.

If there would be a association, I would participate immediately.

When I saw micro AA, I thought of people with a small alcohol problem, probably quite appropriate.  I don't like the idea because all we have ever needed is a site majority owned by contributors and if that's not possible, I don't think an association is going to help.

Also thought of alcohol   don't like the idea tho, would never work.

Quote from: sharpshot on November 18, 2016, 08:11

Quote from: PureArt on November 18, 2016, 04:57

Quote from: sharpshot on November 17, 2016, 17:53

... all we have ever needed is a site majority owned by contributors and if that's not possible ...

Why do you think it is not possible? Because SymbioStock community is so small and their search engine is pitiful? Or the problem is not in the engine? Is it about SEO?

Symbiostock isn't one site, everyone has to pay for their own site.  I never liked that idea.  Why have so many people spending money on hosting and having to constantly work on their sites when that time and money could be used on one site for all of us?  Lots of individual sites is a pain for buyers as well.

Ok. How do you see "owned by contributors" in the reality? Owned by Microstock Authors Association? Owned by some company where all the shareholders are photographers and illustrators? And its CEO is a photographer?

Perhaps the easiest way would be for a group of contributors to get together and buy a 51% stake in one of the smaller sites.  I haven't thought about the details much because there isn't much point unless more people are seriously interested.

I for one think its doable, that it would work for sure at least in long term and that member could benefit if the cards are played right.

Didn't think much about it but for starters main terms on which its is based would have to stay unchangeable and for rest.."one member" "one vote" formula would be a nice way to go in my opinion.

A Coop accompanying site found by memberships would be a nice way to resolve many questions and doubts and if by a chance it starts to be successful it would make a nice tool for people who want to contribute around for peanuts. So many doors could open as I see it.

Just a though though

     

Quote from: PureArt on November 17, 2016, 13:08

Any particular reasons for "yes" or "no", guys and girls? Now your conversation looks childish like:
- Yes, yes, yes!
- No, no, no!

The idea of any type of an association or a union in microstock is childish itself. There tons of questions which obviously don't have answers.
Imagine you have a union.
Why on earth any stock site authorities would listen to it? Would union recall ALL members' portfolios in some crisis situation? OK, then there would be several hundreds/thousands of new Chinese and Belarusian contributors to fill empty seats. Those people are not treacherous, they just can't speak or read English to figure out any union membership idea. They are simply using some autotranslation tools for titles and keywording.

Imagine you have a union.
Who would pay the operating costs? How would be calculated monthly fee? $5 is nothing to Axiomimages (I peronally doubt they need such a b*s* at all). $5 is enough to buy food for African family for couple of days.

Imagine you have a union.
Would it control pricing of its members on sites like Pond5? There is obviously no "one size fits all". Who and how would determine and continuously control the "fair" pricing?

We will never have a union.  But we could have a guild.