MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: idreamphoto on July 01, 2012, 15:32

Title: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: idreamphoto on July 01, 2012, 15:32
Will deactivating a photo on Istock remove the photo from Thinkstock?
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: trek on July 01, 2012, 15:39
Good question.  Three photos I deleted from my stockexpert account 15 months ago (as a test) are still for sale at thinkstock.   Eventually I'll get around to destroying the entire account. 
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on July 01, 2012, 17:19
Theoretically, with a bit of a lag, the answer is yes, removing from iStock will remove from Thinkstock.

In practice, things have been so broken with the connector between the sites, it's anyone's guess as to when this will happen. In the last couple of weeks there has been some renewed activity moving files from IS to the partner sites - I had been stuck at about 1K images for many weeks (out of 2.5K at IS) and now my total is just over 1.5K. Interestingly although most are coming in oldest first as before, there was a handful (but not all) of some recent May/June 2012 uploads in the mix.

You can open a support ticket with IS if the image doesn't get deleted, just for form's sake, but that's not likely to do much unless you can make enough of a stink to get them to do something manually (perhaps because you have some contractual obligations that require the image's removal, or something similar)
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Gannet77 on July 01, 2012, 19:38
Actually, in my experience, they are very quick at removing files from the partner sites when you either deactivate or uncheck the "Available on Partner Sites" box (Exclusives only).  Normally goes within a day, sometimes within hours (three I removed this morning are already gone).

It's going the other way that takes months, possibly years...
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: idreamphoto on July 02, 2012, 04:43
thanks;)
yes already gone in one day!
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on July 02, 2012, 09:07
It's great that the removal end is working speedily - thanks for reporting back
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: leaf on January 26, 2013, 09:15
I just thought I'd bring up this thread again so people can discuss how to get their images off thinkstock as well.

When you remove your images from iStock and they aren't disappearing from thinkstock, make sure they aren't still coming from another partner.
Zoonar, Stockxpert and signelements (I believe) all have their images sent to thinkstock.
http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/a-list-of-partner-programs/100/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/a-list-of-partner-programs/100/)
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Anyka on January 26, 2013, 11:52
I just thought I'd bring up this thread again so people can discuss how to get their images off thinkstock as well.

When you remove your images from iStock and they aren't disappearing from thinkstock, make sure they aren't still coming from another partner.
Zoonar, Stockxpert and signelements (I believe) all have their images sent to thinkstock.
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/a-list-of-partner-programs/100/[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/a-list-of-partner-programs/100/[/url])

Well, I don't have anything on Zoonar or Signelements, and at the time, I deleted every image on StockXpert + closed my account there.  So everything on Thinkstock that's mine can only come from Istockphoto.

The files I deactivated on 14th January (my test files) are still on TS.  Among those 2 good sellers of a very sensitive model, so I couldn't wait for Feb2.
So I suppose the only thing I can do is write support, and list the Istock numbers of all deactivated images.  Problem is :  if everybody does the same, there will be a tsunami of please-take-off-Thinkstock-mails right after Feb. 2nd, and those poor overworked admins won't be willing/able to clean up 40.000 files off TS.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: kuriouskat on January 27, 2013, 05:49
I recently closed my old StockXpert account and sent an email requesting that the images be removed from Thinkstock. Istock acted very promptly and, although they said it could take up to 90 days, the images we actually taken down within 48 hours. I haven't had the payout yet but have had a confirmation email confirming that it is being processed.

Istock did confirm that removing the images from StockXpert wouldn't automatically remove them from Thinkstock, and that an email was request to specifically request this.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: sharpshot on January 27, 2013, 06:27
What I hate is that I've managed to come up with some original ideas that people have done their own very similar versions of, so when I do remove those images, it's giving more money to the copycats.  I did complain about one but never had a response from istock.  So it looks like they don't care, as long as the image isn't an exact copy.

Its very noticeable when I see that my image is no longer on Thinkstock but the usually inferior very similar version by a copycat is still there.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: a1bercik on January 27, 2013, 06:32
I removed my portfolio from IS about 2 weeks ago, the same day I contacted helpdesk to remove all those files from all partners. The nice girl Claudette replied almost immediately and pointed only 1 image she found.
Nice - progress, last year it took them about a week to reply. They removed the picture, but today I found another 2, mine - of course.
Claudette asked me to SEND THEM LINKS to my images, because that's the only way to locate them!
Mess, mess, mess.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Anyka on January 27, 2013, 07:29
I removed my portfolio from IS about 2 weeks ago, the same day I contacted helpdesk to remove all those files from all partners. The nice girl Claudette replied almost immediately and pointed only 1 image she found.
Nice - progress, last year it took them about a week to reply. They removed the picture, but today I found another 2, mine - of course.
Claudette asked me to SEND THEM LINKS to my images, because that's the only way to locate them!
Mess, mess, mess.
Did she mean links to the Thinkstock images (or to the Istock photos) ?
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: a1bercik on January 27, 2013, 13:12
I removed my portfolio from IS about 2 weeks ago, the same day I contacted helpdesk to remove all those files from all partners. The nice girl Claudette replied almost immediately and pointed only 1 image she found.
Nice - progress, last year it took them about a week to reply. They removed the picture, but today I found another 2, mine - of course.
Claudette asked me to SEND THEM LINKS to my images, because that's the only way to locate them!
Mess, mess, mess.
Did she mean links to the Thinkstock images (or to the Istock photos) ?

She asked me to POINT my images in the partner's collection.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: MichaelJayFoto on January 27, 2013, 13:30
Claudette asked me to SEND THEM LINKS to my images, because that's the only way to locate them!

The easiest way to do that for your whole portfolio is to search for your copyright name (your username, your real name or your business name) at Thinkstock. You can then send the URL to iStock support. Helped me last fall when a few images were not removed properly from the PP.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Anyka on January 27, 2013, 13:42
The easiest way to do that for your whole portfolio is to search for your copyright name (your username, your real name or your business name) at Thinkstock. You can then send the URL to iStock support. Helped me last fall when a few images were not removed properly from the PP.
Thanks MJF, just found out how to find my TS portfolio, but ... if I try to find the TS numbers of the 500 files I plan to deactivate at IS on Feb 2nd, I'll need a week to find all 500  ....  (I have 3335 images on TS).  I can't send the URL to my whole portfolio, as I did not close my account, I'm just deactivating. 
OK, I'll start with the ones I already deactivated 2 weeks ago (around 50).
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: toots on January 27, 2013, 14:19
Just searched for my name on thinkstock and all images I deactivated last week have already been taken off, leaving just the one image I haven't deactivated. Cool  ;D
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Anyka on January 27, 2013, 15:41
Just searched for my name on thinkstock and all images I deactivated last week have already been taken off, leaving just the one image I haven't deactivated. Cool  ;D
Now that is unfair  :(   Mine are still there after 2 whole weeks ...
I'll give you 10 hearts if you tell me your secret  ;)
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: toots on January 27, 2013, 15:51
Just searched for my name on thinkstock and all images I deactivated last week have already been taken off, leaving just the one image I haven't deactivated. Cool  ;D
Now that is unfair  :(   Mine are still there after 2 whole weeks ...
I'll give you 10 hearts if you tell me your secret  ;)

My secret  ::)  they thought mine were so crappy they were relieved to pull them off  ;D

Does that warrant me 10 hearts  ;)
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Anyka on January 27, 2013, 15:57
Just searched for my name on thinkstock and all images I deactivated last week have already been taken off, leaving just the one image I haven't deactivated. Cool  ;D
Now that is unfair  :(   Mine are still there after 2 whole weeks ...
I'll give you 10 hearts if you tell me your secret  ;)

My secret  ::)  they thought mine were so crappy they were relieved to pull them off  ;D
Does that warrant me 10 hearts  ;)
I tried, but 10 heart clicks only results in 1 heart, sorry!
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: toots on January 27, 2013, 16:08
Ah well, at least you tried  :)

Hope you get all yours removed soon Anyka
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: halfshag on January 27, 2013, 16:58
Slightly off topic in that it isn't about Thinkstock but does relate to their parent company. Anyone know how best to remove files from Getty when you have no account credentials or contract? I didn't agree to the contract offered last year(?) which I thought would nuke my work. Certainly nuked my payments.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on January 27, 2013, 17:01
Slightly off topic in that it isn't about Thinkstock but does relate to their parent company. Anyone know how best to remove files from Getty when you have no account credentials or contract? I didn't agree to the contract offered last year(?) which I thought would nuke my work. Certainly nuked my payments.

How about a DMCA takedown notice for the files of yours still on their site? :)
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: halfshag on January 28, 2013, 05:19
How about a DMCA takedown notice for the files of yours still on their site? :)

Good idea :) I thought I was clean until I discovered a few images 'wrongly' hosted on GI.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on February 03, 2013, 14:29
I think this might be the best place to keep track of progress - my portfolio on iStock went from 2638 to 153 on D-Day. While I was still deleting on iStock, my Thinkstock total was slowing going down and it has continued the trickle.

This morning (Pacific Time) it's at 1,772 - from 2486 on Jan 28th

I'll keep monitoring - obviously I want those files gone ASAP versus in several weeks; I could argue that as I have removed the right to license that file from iStock that they have no right to continue to sell it anywhere even if they have some time to take it down according to the ASA. If for some reason something ended up on Google Drive during this limbo time, I would be royally ticked off.

This evening (nearly 11pm PST) my total's at 409
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Anyka on February 03, 2013, 14:54
All of my deactivation files are still on Thinkstock.  It was 3283 three weeks ago.  I deactivated 21.  Nothing happened on TS.  A week ago I sent a nice (really nice) e-mail to Support, they appologized for the delay and told me the files would be gone in 48h (and they sincerely thanked me for supplying the Thinkstock file numbers!).  48h later 20 of the 21 were gone.  Now I'm on 3263 images, one of the early deactivations is "stuck", and the 1052 I did yesterday too of course.
I hope they don't expect me to look up 1052 Thinkstock numbers ....  >:(
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: toots on February 03, 2013, 15:08
All of my deactivation files are still on Thinkstock.  It was 3283 three weeks ago.  I deactivated 21.  Nothing happened on TS.  A week ago I sent a nice (really nice) e-mail to Support, they appologized for the delay and told me the files would be gone in 48h (and they sincerely thanked me for supplying the Thinkstock file numbers!).  48h later 20 of the 21 were gone.  Now I'm on 3263 images, one of the early deactivations is "stuck", and the 1052 I did yesterday too of course.
I hope they don't expect me to look up 1052 Thinkstock numbers ....  >:(

With the amount of deactivations yesterday I wouldn't be surprised if it will take longer for all those images to come off Thinkstock, however with technology as it is today it should really be an automated procedure where the images are removed almost instantly imo.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: halfshag on February 03, 2013, 16:38
Edit: OT
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on February 04, 2013, 10:49
My Thinkstock total didn't budge overnight - still at 409 - so I don't know if the connector only works weekends or broke, or...
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Anyka on February 04, 2013, 10:55
WOW!  I'm at 3253 now!   They removed 10 whole images of my deactivations!!  That is about 1%!  If they keep this speed, I'll by out of Thinkstock by May 20th!   :-\
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Lotti on February 05, 2013, 05:18
I just thought I'd bring up this thread again so people can discuss how to get their images off thinkstock as well.

When you remove your images from iStock and they aren't disappearing from thinkstock, make sure they aren't still coming from another partner.
Zoonar, Stockxpert and signelements (I believe) all have their images sent to thinkstock.
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/a-list-of-partner-programs/100/[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/a-list-of-partner-programs/100/[/url])


Hi everyone,

We’re aware of the Getty/Google drive discussion on microstockgroup and have contacted Getty about it.

Just thought I'd clarify though, we're not distributing any content originally uploaded to SignElements to Thinkstock - so you'll be "safe".

Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on February 05, 2013, 13:03
My number of files on Thinkstock hadn't changed this morning (409) so I made a list of 297 file numbers and opened an iStock support ticket to get them removed.

There might be a faster way to do this, but to get the list I set my Thinkstock portfolio search to show 20 per page (makes the selection easier); select the 20 images (thumbnails and all); copy; paste them into a text editor - you get a number on one line, "istockphoto" on the next line then a couple of blank lines.

Repeat that for all the pages (I skipped the first few pages as they were images I've left on iStock).

In my text editor (Text Wrangler) I can do a gobal search & replace for the line breaks, iStockphoto & line break, putting comma space in as the replace string which gives me a comma separated list of the image numbers alone.

I'll post back here once the images are gone.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: tickstock on February 05, 2013, 13:10
.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on February 05, 2013, 13:13
Have you checked under your username and your real name "john doe" with the quotes, for some contributors images on Thinkstock show up partly under one and partly under the other.

If you mean me, I know that my images have always shown up with my full name and not my iStock member name. I have checked to see with all four permutations (single vs double quotes and member name vs real name)

I saw 2496 images there before I deactivated and see 409 now, 297 of which should go
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: tickstock on February 05, 2013, 13:16
.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on February 08, 2013, 01:19
I now have 112 images on Thinkstock - I submitted a support ticket to istock on Monday with a list of file numbers and this morning got a note back that they'd put through a manual request but that the contract said they had 30 days to remove.

There are a couple of really old images that are still there (no people and nothing I care about selling) that perhaps I forgot to put in the list of numbers, but otherwise it's just the iStockalypse images that I left on iStock (editorial don't get transferred).
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: Pixart on March 06, 2013, 14:47
I received a very polite reply with apologies from Istock.  My only gripe is that I pulled my photos in January so the last PP I would have to worry about is February and now I have to wait until the 3rd week of April to collect earnings.

She was very polite and helpful and all - but at this moment Istock is still offering my IP for sale in places and under conditions where I do not want it - behind the cloak of a calendar (wait until 3 weeks after month end to see if they have had any sales).  Well, excuse me but I have suddenly decided that I want $1000 for each sale you make of my IP on these partners.  It's my IP.  Not yours.  It's your 30 day clause, not mine.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: halfshag on March 06, 2013, 16:53
Jenn (bortonia) sorted out my problem above swiftly. Thanks Jenn.
Title: Re: Removing photo from Thinkstock
Post by: StockCube on March 14, 2013, 12:55
Just a tip for anyone wanting to find their portfolio on Thinkstock - you need to search within quotes, with a double space between the names and using proper capitalisation ie "Joe  Bloggs"

crazy but true...