It's ludicrous and beggars belief - they have refused to reveal why they think that message is a good idea - but that's been happening for a couple of years now.

All iS content is available to Getty Premium Access buyers, fka Getty Plus, fka Getty 360. As you've discovered, some sales there can be for decent prices: but they can also net you under ten cents.

Anyone not in that scheme sees that inaccurate and rather worrying message without even a link to the iS page from where it can be purchased. Presumably they're hoping that our content will act as clickbait, and potential buyers will look for something else which they can buy on Getty.

Speaking personally, I don't like the implication that my content is legally dubious. The message should say "We made you click, but we won't sell it you you. Ha! Yanked your chain!"

 

We've noticed sales on istock/getty through microstockr pro too... but, none of the files are available anymore. We aren't even able to search them through their search engine. As if they are removing our stuff from search engine.