No, seriously! I had a bit of a chuckle when I first saw it, but I can actually see this being of genuine value for some microstockers.

link: http://www.applicationgap.com/apps/easyrelease/

Basic idea: have models and property owners sign on your iPhone and the app mails you PDF and JPG of the release with signatures in the correct place and all the details filled out.

I can see this being an issue with some agencies who are sensitive about files being "digitally altered".  Adding the photographer's signature to a release 'after' it has been scanned can be cause for rejection, or so I'm told. I haven't tried the app, but I would hope there's a process where the model or property owner gets to review what it is they're signing.

I also know some photographers like to take a photo of the model holding the signed release for extra security, in which case this app provides little advantage.

Still, if it passes release inspectors at all agencies, I see this being useful for casual and traveling microstockers. I would certainly welcome the opportunity to avoid carrying around paper releases, if I did that sort of thing.

Here's the direct App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/easy-release/id360835268

If their release supports video and stills, I'm sold.  There have been several times when I've been out shooting and forgot to check my camera bag for releases.

Does anybody has universal MR that is accepted on all sites...?

In Word-format (click to download form). Accepted by everybody. For video and stills. Replace red text by either a state in the US, or your own country (requirement of DT).

I'm running a paperless office for over 4 years now in my day job. That's great for the environment and that's great for less storage needed. That tool would be great to do the same thing for photography. No MR to keep around in files, no need to print a release, sign it, then scan it back in the computer which is ridiculous when you think about it.

Unfortunately, the word on the iStock forum is that you can't use them with iStock since they don't accept digitized signature. They say it's not legal which is strange since it seems legalized in Canada. Since about 7-8 years ago (at least), filling form for the government is done online and you digitally sign just by clicking and typing agree or donfirm (all my taxes are done online now). Even renewing my driver's licence, I had to actually sign on a digitizer instead of sign a form. So I don't understand why they won't accept it or where they get their legal advice.

So I don't understand why they won't accept it or where they get their legal advice.

They accept images from contributors worldwide and in some countries digitised signatures are not considered legal.

Okay, iStock does not accept releases with digital signatures.

I bought and tried out the app and the interface is nice, but it crashes a lot.  And it only has a model release and property release.  No other types of releases and the existing ones can't be modified.  The author states a future update will include modifiable releases.

I was reading through the existing reviews and found reference to an app called "Photographer's Contract Maker" which is currently $2.99, so I bought it.

It has Photo Shoot, Model, Copyright and 2nd Shooter releases.  And all releases and templates can be modified.  You can even modify a release "in the field" of someone has issues with a particular part of the release.  So far I'm really liking it.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photographers-contract-maker/id356115074?mt=8

I am not sure why iStock and Getty would not except a digital release, digital signatures have been around for years. The digital signature act was passed in the late 90's and we have been signing a digital signature for parcels, credit card transactions, mobile sales for many years. It sounds a bit backwards that they take this stance, check out iRelease, its the best model release App on the market at the moment, its fast, fully customisable and instantly backs up your releases to an online account.  newbielink:http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/irelease-lite-model-release/id378237352?mt=8 [nonactive]  newbielink:http://www.ireleaseapp.com [nonactive]