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Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: HelloMyNameIsYay on July 14, 2016, 15:19

Title: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: HelloMyNameIsYay on July 14, 2016, 15:19
I'm exploring the option of terminating my relationship with iStock in light of their policy change announcement today. Losing control over the deletion of my own files at their current commission rate is a road too far. My question is: has anyone had experience with terminating their account with iStock and payment for a balance below 100 dollars? Will they send me the balance owed or will I get screwed out of this money?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: PhotoLA on July 14, 2016, 15:24
There's already two threads about the announcement, did you really need to start another?
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: HelloMyNameIsYay on July 14, 2016, 15:37
There's already two threads about the announcement, did you really need to start another?

This thread contains a specific question about account termination. Do you have an answer to my question or are you just here to police the forums?
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: ShadySue on July 14, 2016, 15:46
In the past, amounts under $100 have been paid upon termination, according to previous posts here on msg.
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: Mantis on July 14, 2016, 20:38
In the past, amounts under $100 have been paid upon termination, according to previous posts here on msg.

Since I am not allowed to quote directly from stock forums, I will just say that I was told terminating your account is different than deactivating. No problem terminating once the new policy is live, but pruning images is an issue.  I have emailed contributor relations through Stock's "contact us" link for formal info from corporate. I'll post a formal response but I have no reason not to believe their admin.

If it's true I will leave my stuff up there until such a time I decide to leave.
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: stockVid on July 14, 2016, 21:56
In the past, amounts under $100 have been paid upon termination, according to previous posts here on msg.

Since I am not allowed to quote directly from stock forums, I will just say that I was told terminating your account is different than deactivating. No problem terminating once the new policy is live, but pruning images is an issue.  I have emailed contributor relations through Stock's "contact us" link for formal info from corporate. I'll post a formal response but I have no reason not to believe their admin.

If it's true I will leave my stuff up there until such a time I decide to leave.

I'm deactivating everything now. If I could delete it I would.

What's to stop them lowing the royalty rate even more? Or even giving your files away for free?

Your only recourse would be to hire an attorney.
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: Mantis on July 15, 2016, 08:10
In the past, amounts under $100 have been paid upon termination, according to previous posts here on msg.

Since I am not allowed to quote directly from stock forums, I will just say that I was told terminating your account is different than deactivating. No problem terminating once the new policy is live, but pruning images is an issue.  I have emailed contributor relations through Stock's "contact us" link for formal info from corporate. I'll post a formal response but I have no reason not to believe their admin.

If it's true I will leave my stuff up there until such a time I decide to leave.

I'm deactivating everything now. If I could delete it I would.

What's to stop them lowing the royalty rate even more? Or even giving your files away for free?

Your only recourse would be to hire an attorney.

That was my point. If any of those things kick in I will simply close my account there, but I will wait and see what surprises might evolve. But if closing my account fell under the "deactivation" terms I would just close my account now.
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: w7lwi on July 15, 2016, 10:44
What is the proper procedure to close an account at IS?  Do I just send an e-mail to support and they will remove all images or must I delete each image first and then send an e-mail?
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: ShadySue on July 15, 2016, 11:00
What is the proper procedure to close an account at IS?  Do I just send an e-mail to support and they will remove all images or must I delete each image first and then send an e-mail?
According to 11.4 of your contributor agreement:
"This Agreement is effective until terminated. You may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving thirty (30) days written notice to iStock using [email protected] or such other means of written notice acceptable to iStock which enables confirmation of your identity and your intention to terminate. iStock may also terminate this Agreement for any reason by giving you thirty (30) days notice by e-mail at the last address contained in your membership information... "
Title: Re: In Light of Getty's Policy Change
Post by: PixelBytes on July 16, 2016, 00:40
In the past, amounts under $100 have been paid upon termination, according to previous posts here on msg.

Since I am not allowed to quote directly from stock forums, I will just say that I was told terminating your account is different than deactivating. No problem terminating once the new policy is live, but pruning images is an issue.  I have emailed contributor relations through Stock's "contact us" link for formal info from corporate. I'll post a formal response but I have no reason not to believe their admin.

If it's true I will leave my stuff up there until such a time I decide to leave.

Thanks for following up and posting that info.  I haven't uploaded there in a couple years now, so I'm just gonna let my old stuff stick around.  I don't see any reason to deactivate anything.  If/when I quit them, I am going to quit completely.