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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: cloudvisual on October 16, 2021, 03:14

Title: ||RESOLVED|| SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: cloudvisual on October 16, 2021, 03:14
I'll start by saying that I was part of the Boycott Shutterstock crowd, but I was making reasonable earnings with them and was willing to take the hit on the new payment terms given this money goes back into paying for equipment/trips.

Got an email off Shutterstock two days ago to inform me that one of the images that I uploaded wasn't my own. Very blunt and to the point that my account was suspended and I am no longer entitled to be a contributor.

The email said that I was entitled to make an appeal, so long as I provided proof. So I did just that and sent over the DNG of the image in question, along with three other images from the shoot to show that I took the photos.

I've had no reply, aside from the auto responder promising me a reply in 24 hours. I also followed up on it yesterday afternoon (9am NYC time) to make sure that I'd really pointed out that a mistake had been made here.

Anyway, they've taken away my earnings and shut the account. So if there's a lesson to be had here, it's to make sure that you don't set your payout to $2000 and let the money pool up each month. They can and will pull the plug on you at any time, regardless of the proof you can provide.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Firn on October 16, 2021, 03:33
I am sorry to hear that. Unfortunately that's not the first time I am hearing of such cases (though in the other cases I am not sure whether the accounts were suspended rightfully or not. Sometimes thieves had the nerves to go to the Shutterstock forum to ask for advice or complain). Ever since I've constantly be worried that something like this might happen to me, even though, of course, all photos I submit are mine.

In a normal scenario this could been attributed to a mistake and should be fairly easy to sort out, if, in like your case, you have proof like other photos from the same shoot. However, nowadays it has become close to impossible to actually get any kind of "support" from Shutterstock if you are on the contributor side. I have had support cases I never got a reply to from 2 years (!) ago. Since it was about a technical error on their side, I gave up as I found a workaround for my side, so it's really not my concern if some customers can't see some photos of other contributors. :(

In your case, since this is quite a lot of money, it might possibly be worth calling them? They do have a phone number up on their support page. Not sure what good it will do, since showing proof won't work on the phone, but maybe you can at least get someone to look at the case that way?
Wishing you lots of luck that you get the issue resolved.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: cloudvisual on October 16, 2021, 03:51
I am sorry to hear that.

Thank you. I did actually call up yesterday evening, but the answer was that any phone number designed for calling is purely for someone buying. Whilst the guy on the other end of the line was very understanding and concerned, he said that there was absolutely nothing he could do and that I need to raise it with the email address given to me in the suspension contact message.

I'm not expecting an email back from them. It's just very disheartening when creating stock footage is already an uphill battle, with an ever-steepening mountain to climb.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: vectorsforall on October 16, 2021, 03:58
Sorry to read that :-(
What the fxxck is wrong with them ?! I already told on this forum that when I send them multiple notices of thieves accounts with dozens of duplicate videos, they just - in the better case - pull the videos and let the thieves account online. And here - from what I understand - for just one image, they shut your account all the way down...
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: JaenStock on October 16, 2021, 04:47
I had a similar problem that was resolved in three days. I worked with a German macro distributor and when I closed my account with them, due to a shutter or distributor error, the images were still online at shutterstock premier. They closed my account and I had to investigate the repeated photos (they did not send me thumbnails but thanks to stock performer I got what images were by ID) I sent a lot of emails with RAW, model contracts ... and I was very insistent. Finally my account was re-established.

I always charge shutter every month and despite not going up much I had 500 dollars that month by that date, finally my money appeared
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Digital on October 16, 2021, 06:35
wow! totally unacceptable. now I wonder what else I'll hear about this company. horror story after horror story. no surprise they shut their own forums down.

watching SS grow since 2003 is like watching Anakin turn into Vader.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on October 16, 2021, 12:25
That stinks.

I have found (and bear in mind that Shutterstock threw me out last year over my social media campaign over the royalty cuts, so this isn't a quiet route) that public shaming on Twitter over something like this can help.

A month or two back, I sent them mail and then DMCA notice about a portfolio full of stolen stuff (including one of my images). They did nothing until I took to Twitter and then miraculously - and I sure totally by coincidence - they took the portfolio down. Be careful in how you word things so you don't libel them (no sense in giving them any more ammunition).

At the very least, you should be paid your earnings.

Edited to add, if you don't mind going public about this cockup of theirs, I'm happy to tweet about it too if you want. There's not much they can do now they've closed my account :)
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on October 16, 2021, 12:28
Tweet loudly at Orringer on Twitter about it.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Microstock Posts on October 17, 2021, 06:44
Tweet loudly at Orringer on Twitter about it.

Lol. Somehow I don't think he'll make the same mistake as he did here..

https://www.microstockposts.com/contributors-remove-millions-of-images-from-shutterstock-and-jon-oringer-bursts-out/ (https://www.microstockposts.com/contributors-remove-millions-of-images-from-shutterstock-and-jon-oringer-bursts-out/)
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 17, 2021, 09:05
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.

I'd think for all the times people have written and complained about real thieves, and the time it takes to get something done, because SS was being careful, I'd guess they made a mistake this time.

Why does the forum turn into an angry lynch mob so often?
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Lowls on October 17, 2021, 13:00
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: marthamarks on October 17, 2021, 15:15
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

BINGO!!! There's a perfect example of the hostility that we really don't need brought in from elsewhere.

Having hung out for many years on this forum with Pete, I'd bet my life that he is not a Shitterstock liaison.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: For Real on October 17, 2021, 16:16
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

BINGO!!! There's a perfect example of the hostility that we really don't need brought in from elsewhere.

Having hung out for many years on this forum with Pete, I'd bet my life that he is not a Shitterstock liaison.

Also knowing Pete for many years the only liaison that he is: Green Bay Packer fan, scotch drinker and taking great race car images!
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: marthamarks on October 17, 2021, 17:44
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

BINGO!!! There's a perfect example of the hostility that we really don't need brought in from elsewhere.

Having hung out for many years on this forum with Pete, I'd bet my life that he is not a Shitterstock liaison.

Also knowing Pete for many years the only liaison that he is: Green Bay Packer fan, scotch drinker and taking great race car images!

Good points! :D
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 17, 2021, 18:56
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

No I'm not, I wouldn't take that job, and no I'm not a fan of being cut down or what has happened recently. I'm just asking for a little bit of patience.

When we ask for action, they take time, then some people become hostile, because SS doesn't act fast enough. When they do make a mistake and close an account, that shouldn't be closed, some will say they acted too fast. We have seen over time, that the mistakes are eventually corrected.

That's all. I said IF, don't twist my words please.

You can have fast action, or allow for agency investigations into details. But you can't have review of theft without some errors. I hate to see someone wrongly accused of something they haven't done.

My personal hope is that the OP will come back and tell us that the unfortunate error was corrected and his earnings and account were fully restored. In the past they have been.

What's your point in accusing me which has nothing to do with the actual situation?
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: For Real on October 17, 2021, 19:30
What if the OP works for the agency? Would they be considered a double agent spy (007)  8)
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: marthamarks on October 17, 2021, 19:40
What if the OP works for the agency? Would they be considered a double agent spy (007)  8)

LOL!

With the way things are going these days with Shitterstock, Crapstock (whatever that is), and Stinkystock, I wouldn't be one bit surprised to find we've got double-agent spies in our midst! :/
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 17, 2021, 20:42
What if the OP works for the agency? Would they be considered a double agent spy (007)  8)

LOL!

With the way things are going these days with Shitterstock, Crapstock (whatever that is), and Stinkystock, I wouldn't be one bit surprised to find we've got double-agent spies in our midst! :/

Not directed at you personally, but I thought today. Shutterstock couldn't even read their own forum or care about what happened there. I doubt they would spend money to send anyone here to spy on us. If they do, I'm not on the favorite Son list, that's for sure.

What if the OP works for the agency? Would they be considered a double agent spy (007)  8)

Or maybe Secret Agent Man? But I don't think either of those two was a double agent. Kim Philby, was a traitor to democracy and freedom.

Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: marthamarks on October 17, 2021, 21:23

Or maybe Secret Agent Man?

I like that! Can't you just see the headline? "Secret Agent Man hits unruly microstock forum, reports back to agencies that contributors are just plain nasty folks."
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Firn on October 18, 2021, 00:51
What if the OP works for the agency? Would they be considered a double agent spy (007)  8)

LOL!

With the way things are going these days with Shitterstock, Crapstock (whatever that is), and Stinkystock, I wouldn't be one bit surprised to find we've got double-agent spies in our midst! :/
I would be surprised, because it would mean that Shutterstock would need to use recources (=money) on contributors. And we all know they don't want to waste any money on us.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Digital on October 18, 2021, 02:55
The next logical step for SS would be to buy the MSG, then shut it down.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: cloudvisual on October 18, 2021, 04:06
Sorry for the late reply, I was filming all weekend. Glad to see this got a bit of interest in the group!

I had a similar problem that was resolved in three days.

I'll see what happens this week, but they aren't likely to reply at this stage.
Quote from: For Real

link=topic=36717.msg567794#msg567794 date=1634517039
What if the OP works for the agency? Would they be considered a double agent spy (007)  8)

Haha, I don't think I could work for such a company. I can assure you that I'm nothing to do with them.

Tweet loudly at Orringer on Twitter about it.

I'm blocked by all their accounts following the #BoycottShutterstock campaign. John himself even blocked me on LinkedIn.

So I think based on being blocked by their Twitter accounts I was already on an unannounced final warning, hence the blunt and instant suspension.

I'm not upset about departing from the platform, it was only headed one way, but I wish they didn't steal my money on the race to the bottom.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: dook1000 on October 18, 2021, 05:41
I don't think they will steal your money, if that is your only concern. And no, I don't work for SS :)
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: cloudvisual on October 18, 2021, 05:53
I don't think they will steal your money, if that is your only concern. And no, I don't work for SS :)

Why wouldn't they keep my money if they think I broke the terms I agreed? Their thinking is that I used a photo I didn't take to earn money on their platform.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: dook1000 on October 18, 2021, 06:18
I don't think they will steal your money, if that is your only concern. And no, I don't work for SS :)

Why wouldn't they keep my money if they think I broke the terms I agreed? Their thinking is that I used a photo I didn't take to earn money on their platform.
I don't think that can pass. Is all your earned amount from that picture in question? If not, they don't have any right to keep it. Besides, they haven't proved anything yet.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: cloudvisual on October 18, 2021, 07:03
I don't think they will steal your money, if that is your only concern. And no, I don't work for SS :)

Why wouldn't they keep my money if they think I broke the terms I agreed? Their thinking is that I used a photo I didn't take to earn money on their platform.
I don't think that can pass. Is all your earned amount from that picture in question? If not, they don't have any right to keep it. Besides, they haven't proved anything yet.

Not a single penny has been earned from that photo on Shutterstock. It was only uploaded a couple of weeks ago and something flagged it on their system.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 18, 2021, 07:13
The next logical step for SS would be to buy the MSG, then shut it down.

Shh, never make these kinds of suggestions, they might do it.  ;D
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: cloudvisual on October 18, 2021, 10:33
I would like to say that my account has been restored following their investigation.

Thanks everyone for the messages and I guess it's worth waiting a few more days before truly panicking and reaching out to the forum...!
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Firn on October 18, 2021, 11:23
I am glad it could be resolved!
All is not lost after all.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: marthamarks on October 18, 2021, 12:05
The next logical step for SS would be to buy the MSG, then shut it down.

You're right. That really could happen.

Wonder what Leaf's price would be?
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on October 18, 2021, 12:12
I would like to say that my account has been restored following their investigation.

Thanks everyone for the messages and I guess it's worth waiting a few more days before truly panicking and reaching out to the forum...!

Very glad that there was a positive outcome.

It might help for future readers if you changed the title of the topic - perhaps to something like "SS account suspended with no notice, but restored after leisurely investigation"
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: For Real on October 18, 2021, 12:13
Still appears you are guilty until proven innocent  :-[
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 18, 2021, 12:42
Still appears you are guilty until proven innocent  :-[

Only after they have done a primary investigation and got it wrong. Most of the time we see the opposite, where nothing gets done and the image thieves accounts stay active for weeks and months. SS must fear closing accounts based on complaints, so they are extra careful to not do that. Even to the point of writing to someone who files, a threatening sounding reply about how filing a false complaint could get their account terminated. That's discouraging.

Obviously in this case they were wrong! Good news, it was corrected, just as others who were unjustly locked.

So do you want swift justice for the ones you don't like, or careful investigations, even though it means some turd has all stolen images? Seems like this case took less time than others where SS made a mistake and reversed their decision. Balance...
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Lowls on October 18, 2021, 13:18
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

No I'm not, I wouldn't take that job, and no I'm not a fan of being cut down or what has happened recently. I'm just asking for a little bit of patience.

When we ask for action, they take time, then some people become hostile, because SS doesn't act fast enough. When they do make a mistake and close an account, that shouldn't be closed, some will say they acted too fast. We have seen over time, that the mistakes are eventually corrected.

That's all. I said IF, don't twist my words please.

You can have fast action, or allow for agency investigations into details. But you can't have review of theft without some errors. I hate to see someone wrongly accused of something they haven't done.

My personal hope is that the OP will come back and tell us that the unfortunate error was corrected and his earnings and account were fully restored. In the past they have been.

What's your point in accusing me which has nothing to do with the actual situation?

😳
I asked a question. Would be good to have a direct liason with SS in here like adobe do. You should take your own advice and stop being so hostile. If you do not like responses to the tomes you write, you should perhaps restrict what you have to say to prevent anyone daring to interact with you. Something I will not attempt again. How aggressive.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Suspect on October 18, 2021, 13:42
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

No I'm not, I wouldn't take that job, and no I'm not a fan of being cut down or what has happened recently. I'm just asking for a little bit of patience.

When we ask for action, they take time, then some people become hostile, because SS doesn't act fast enough. When they do make a mistake and close an account, that shouldn't be closed, some will say they acted too fast. We have seen over time, that the mistakes are eventually corrected.

That's all. I said IF, don't twist my words please.

You can have fast action, or allow for agency investigations into details. But you can't have review of theft without some errors. I hate to see someone wrongly accused of something they haven't done.

My personal hope is that the OP will come back and tell us that the unfortunate error was corrected and his earnings and account were fully restored. In the past they have been.

What's your point in accusing me which has nothing to do with the actual situation?

😳
I asked a question. Would be good to have a direct liason with SS in here like adobe do. You should take your own advice and stop being so hostile. If you do not like responses to the tomes you write, you should perhaps restrict what you have to say to prevent anyone daring to interact with you. Something I will not attempt again. How aggressive.

Yep, it's an odd phenomenon on this forum.  The 'new' contributors (mainly from the hated SS) are being accused of being aggressive (when they are not) in an aggressive/hostile way by the 'old' contributors ...as evidenced on this thread and others ... quite sad really ..

Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Suspect on October 18, 2021, 14:12
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

BINGO!!! There's a perfect example of the hostility that we really don't need brought in from elsewhere.

Having hung out for many years on this forum with Pete, I'd bet my life that he is not a Shitterstock liaison.

Really?  I think maybe that's projection ...
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: marthamarks on October 18, 2021, 14:47
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

BINGO!!! There's a perfect example of the hostility that we really don't need brought in from elsewhere.

Having hung out for many years on this forum with Pete, I'd bet my life that he is not a Shitterstock liaison.

Really?  I think maybe that's projection ...

I strongly doubt that many others here would agree with you on that.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: thijsdegraaf on October 18, 2021, 14:55
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

No I'm not, I wouldn't take that job, and no I'm not a fan of being cut down or what has happened recently. I'm just asking for a little bit of patience.

When we ask for action, they take time, then some people become hostile, because SS doesn't act fast enough. When they do make a mistake and close an account, that shouldn't be closed, some will say they acted too fast. We have seen over time, that the mistakes are eventually corrected.

That's all. I said IF, don't twist my words please.

You can have fast action, or allow for agency investigations into details. But you can't have review of theft without some errors. I hate to see someone wrongly accused of something they haven't done.

My personal hope is that the OP will come back and tell us that the unfortunate error was corrected and his earnings and account were fully restored. In the past they have been.

What's your point in accusing me which has nothing to do with the actual situation?

😳
I asked a question. Would be good to have a direct liason with SS in here like adobe do. You should take your own advice and stop being so hostile. If you do not like responses to the tomes you write, you should perhaps restrict what you have to say to prevent anyone daring to interact with you. Something I will not attempt again. How aggressive.

We once had that on Shutterforum. I remember Alex (admin) preventing someone's account from being closed because of a false accusation of having too many Similars. Nice to have someone like that. But that was a long time ago. I don't think they are closing the forum to let admins join in on Microstock afterwards to help.  :)
I read your answer as well as the others, that you had doubts about Pete.
Now that everyone's rightfully up for Pete, you're attacking him for answering at length.
I've known Pete for a long time too. Apparently a detailed explanation is useful. Because nobody understood your brief explanation. (Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact. By which you meant: Would be good to have a directliason with SS in here like adobe do.)
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: thijsdegraaf on October 18, 2021, 14:58
It's good that everything turned out okay in the end. I actually didn't expect that.
I wonder what Shutterstock does with the money from a closed account with stolen photos. Would they pay back the customer who bought the photos, or compensate the people whose photos were stolen?  :D
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: cloudvisual on October 18, 2021, 15:36
It might help for future readers if you changed the title of the topic - perhaps to something like "SS account suspended with no notice, but restored after leisurely investigation"

I did look how to do this, but the topic title can't be changed. If a mod can, that would be great.

Still appears you are guilty until proven innocent  :-[

It's not like I'm a new account, it could have been dealt with differently.

So do you want swift justice for the ones you don't like, or careful investigations, even though it means some turd has all stolen images? Seems like this case took less time than others where SS made a mistake and reversed their decision. Balance...


I think that it would be understandable for a new account to have the ban hammer as swiftly thrown down, but I've been on there for six years. I'm far from a veteran in this industry, but surely enough time on the platform to warrant an email to say that something was flagged up.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Wilm on October 18, 2021, 15:40
But it's good that everything turned out okay in the end. I actually didn't expect that.
I wonder what Shutterstock does with the money from a closed account with stolen photos. Would they pay back the customer who bought the photos, or compensate the people whose photos were stolen?  :D

Thijs,

I don't think they pay any compensation to the copyright owner. I assume that they just keep the money. In many cases you can find an identical image in four or five portfolios. There were lots of those examples. How would they know who took the Image. Especially in the case when the person who took the picture doesn't even offer at shutterstock - that also happens often enough. I have also never read or heard that a contributors was compensated.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on October 18, 2021, 16:12
...

So do you want swift justice for the ones you don't like, or careful investigations, even though it means some turd has all stolen images? Seems like this case took less time than others where SS made a mistake and reversed their decision. Balance...

For a contributor who has been with them for more than (let's say) 1 year, what I would expect is that Shutterstock would contact the contributor to say an ownership issue had been raised about one item in their portfolio and could they please provide (specify what evidence they'll accept) to verify the ownership of the item.

SS doesn't pay out on request, but they could mark the account to withhold monthly payments until the issue is resolved. If the contributor doesn't respond to the request promptly, SS could suspend the account (i.e. nothing will sell) until they do get a response and after (let's say) 4 weeks, close the account if there's still no response.

The majority of the scam accounts occur with new contributors, not with people who have been with them for a long time. Not to do existing contributors the courtesy of asking about a questionable item before allowing an automated process, or a human complaint is not reasonable or fair. I suspect that SS takes this route because they are trying to cut their costs wherever possible and  having human inspectors or a reasonable contributor support process costs money.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on October 18, 2021, 16:19
...
I wonder what Shutterstock does with the money from a closed account with stolen photos. Would they pay back the customer who bought the photos, or compensate the people whose photos were stolen?  :D
...
I don't think they pay any compensation to the copyright owner. I assume that they just keep the money. In many cases you can find an identical image in four or five portfolios. There were lots of those examples. How would they know who took the Image. Especially in the case when the person who took the picture doesn't even offer at shutterstock - that also happens often enough. I have also never read or heard that a contributors was compensated.
[/quote]

I used to be with Shutterstock (contributor #249) and recently had to contact them about a photo of mine that had been uploaded to SS by a thief. In my contacts with SS I asked for an accounting of how many times it had been sold and how much I was owed as royalties. The image was marked as "Commonly used" when in the thief's portfolio.

I have never heard of them compensating the owner in the case of theft, but figured it couldn't hurt to ask. That image was in my SS portfolio before they closed it (and I suspect they still have all the records of my account and portfolio), so there's no issue about who owns the image. As you might expect, I have not received an accounting and I haven't been paid anything :)
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Lowls on October 18, 2021, 16:21
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

No I'm not, I wouldn't take that job, and no I'm not a fan of being cut down or what has happened recently. I'm just asking for a little bit of patience.

When we ask for action, they take time, then some people become hostile, because SS doesn't act fast enough. When they do make a mistake and close an account, that shouldn't be closed, some will say they acted too fast. We have seen over time, that the mistakes are eventually corrected.

That's all. I said IF, don't twist my words please.

You can have fast action, or allow for agency investigations into details. But you can't have review of theft without some errors. I hate to see someone wrongly accused of something they haven't done.

My personal hope is that the OP will come back and tell us that the unfortunate error was corrected and his earnings and account were fully restored. In the past they have been.

What's your point in accusing me which has nothing to do with the actual situation?

😳
I asked a question. Would be good to have a direct liason with SS in here like adobe do. You should take your own advice and stop being so hostile. If you do not like responses to the tomes you write, you should perhaps restrict what you have to say to prevent anyone daring to interact with you. Something I will not attempt again. How aggressive.

We once had that on Shutterforum. I remember Alex (admin) preventing someone's account from being closed because of a false accusation of having too many Similars. Nice to have someone like that. But that was a long time ago. I don't think they are closing the forum to let admins join in on Microstock afterwards to help.  :)
I read your answer as well as the others, that you had doubts about Pete.
Now that everyone's rightfully up for Pete, you're attacking him for answering at length.
I've known Pete for a long time too. Apparently a detailed explanation is useful. Because nobody understood your brief explanation. (Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact. By which you meant: Would be good to have a directliason with SS in here like adobe do.)

I'm afraid we gauge 'everyone' and 'everybody' substantially differently. If you and 'everybody' assume aggression  from my question despite a clarifying answer, this says something about your perceptions or interpretations of things. But please think whatever you wish it is apparent that your mind has been made up. And nothing it seems can change that. Even the truth. Odd behaviour indeed.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: thijsdegraaf on October 18, 2021, 16:43
But it's good that everything turned out okay in the end. I actually didn't expect that.
I wonder what Shutterstock does with the money from a closed account with stolen photos. Would they pay back the customer who bought the photos, or compensate the people whose photos were stolen?  :D

Thijs,

I don't think they pay any compensation to the copyright owner. I assume that they just keep the money. In many cases you can find an identical image in four or five portfolios. There were lots of those examples. How would they know who took the Image. Especially in the case when the person who took the picture doesn't even offer at shutterstock - that also happens often enough. I have also never read or heard that a contributors was compensated.

Hi Wilm,
Good to see you here. No, I was already afraid of that.
Thanks Jo Ann for your explanation.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 19, 2021, 12:00
...

So do you want swift justice for the ones you don't like, or careful investigations, even though it means some turd has all stolen images? Seems like this case took less time than others where SS made a mistake and reversed their decision. Balance...

For a contributor who has been with them for more than (let's say) 1 year, what I would expect is that Shutterstock would contact the contributor to say an ownership issue had been raised about one item in their portfolio and could they please provide (specify what evidence they'll accept) to verify the ownership of the item.

SS doesn't pay out on request, but they could mark the account to withhold monthly payments until the issue is resolved. If the contributor doesn't respond to the request promptly, SS could suspend the account (i.e. nothing will sell) until they do get a response and after (let's say) 4 weeks, close the account if there's still no response.

The majority of the scam accounts occur with new contributors, not with people who have been with them for a long time. Not to do existing contributors the courtesy of asking about a questionable item before allowing an automated process, or a human complaint is not reasonable or fair. I suspect that SS takes this route because they are trying to cut their costs wherever possible and  having human inspectors or a reasonable contributor support process costs money.

Far too logical, reasonable and rational Jo Ann.  :) Sure I agree with what you wrote.

They are not reasonable or fair, and I'll add again, they seem to drag their feet on closing accounts with obvious stolen, copied and altered images as well. Our complaints are ignored and those of us who have tried, for theft not mickey mouse similar and personal revenge, have received the standard response which threatens us with having our accounts closed, and asks for all kinds of details and sometimes states that only the owner can file a complaint.
 
Whoever investigated this case, unless it was SS bots that made the discovery, totally blew it and locked the account unjustly. Good that things worked out.
Title: Re: SS Account Suspended, $1400 Earnings Gone
Post by: YadaYadaYada on October 26, 2021, 07:08
If the OP is the original artist, they will re-instate his account and return the money.



Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact.

No I'm not, I wouldn't take that job, and no I'm not a fan of being cut down or what has happened recently. I'm just asking for a little bit of patience.

When we ask for action, they take time, then some people become hostile, because SS doesn't act fast enough. When they do make a mistake and close an account, that shouldn't be closed, some will say they acted too fast. We have seen over time, that the mistakes are eventually corrected.

That's all. I said IF, don't twist my words please.

You can have fast action, or allow for agency investigations into details. But you can't have review of theft without some errors. I hate to see someone wrongly accused of something they haven't done.

My personal hope is that the OP will come back and tell us that the unfortunate error was corrected and his earnings and account were fully restored. In the past they have been.

What's your point in accusing me which has nothing to do with the actual situation?

😳
I asked a question. Would be good to have a direct liason with SS in here like adobe do. You should take your own advice and stop being so hostile. If you do not like responses to the tomes you write, you should perhaps restrict what you have to say to prevent anyone daring to interact with you. Something I will not attempt again. How aggressive.

We once had that on Shutterforum. I remember Alex (admin) preventing someone's account from being closed because of a false accusation of having too many Similars. Nice to have someone like that. But that was a long time ago. I don't think they are closing the forum to let admins join in on Microstock afterwards to help.  :)
I read your answer as well as the others, that you had doubts about Pete.
Now that everyone's rightfully up for Pete, you're attacking him for answering at length.
I've known Pete for a long time too. Apparently a detailed explanation is useful. Because nobody understood your brief explanation. (Are you Shutterstock liason? Curious how you state as fact. By which you meant: Would be good to have a directliason with SS in here like adobe do.)

I'm afraid we gauge 'everyone' and 'everybody' substantially differently. If you and 'everybody' assume aggression  from my question despite a clarifying answer, this says something about your perceptions or interpretations of things. But please think whatever you wish it is apparent that your mind has been made up. And nothing it seems can change that. Even the truth. Odd behaviour indeed.

You are the one accusing and hostile, that's why some here have asked you to calm down. SS did have contacts and all that happened was they were attacked personally, accused, insulted and much treated like you do to somebody here. Other agencies also had liasons who gave up and left, because of lack of civil questions or discussion. That's why the agencies don't send anyone anymore, people like you.