Quote from: Uncle Pete on December 14, 2020, 15:39

Go ask a lawyer, free consultation, and find out, there's nothing to sue for or retaliate. They did nothing illegal, none of the above agencies did. They have the right to change the contract.

I don't need a lawyer to tell me that "bait and switch" business practices are illegal, at least in my part of the world.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bait-switch.asp

....but when there's only a handful of contributors responding to the topic it's pretty obvious that a class action lawsuit isn't worth the time and effort.

Can you read? https://submit.shutterstock.com/legal/terms?language=en Did you ever read this? Contracts change, they did nothing illegal, you have no class action suit. 18 f Please note that Shutterstock reserves the right to modify these terms at any time in its sole discretion,

Quote from: Uncle Pete on December 15, 2020, 14:18

I'll ask again, didn't the coalition make some kind of deal with P5. Has anything else come up? I don't think the whole project just disappeared and evaporated. I honestly thought that for the people who joined, they might make some waves and change something? Maybe not on the big agencies, but potentially somewhere that's trying to grow and attract more artists?

The Stock Coalition made a �deal� with P5 and got a separate collection added for SC members. But no commission deals were made. I doubt that any of the sites will commit to any kind of financial deal. They want to be free to screw change contributors� commissions whenever they like, make deals with clients, etc.

Yes, Warmpicture. It actually worked well site-wise, but it was the same problem as you�ve mentioned above with marketing. Hard to compete with the big dogs in searches. I even sold a few images. People helped where they could. But it still required money to run.

Now that you mention the site, I think he asked for people to offer time to help make it run, because it was taking too much of his time to manage things?

I knew there was something at P5, so a separate collection. Well at least when someone thought it was a good idea to support the group, they could find the collection and attempt to help out members.

True, I don't think any agency will lock in to any specific contract. Been that way from the start. As someone else pointed out, it says clearly in the SS terms, and I know in every other one I've read, that the agency has the right to change  the terms. I vaguely remember IS had a 30 day clause, maybe not? But whatever, they completely pulled the rug out from under us, with the special deals for API partners, the Connect DLs and making all our photos 15%, no RC no levels, no anything. Minimum is 2 cents.

Oh there it is. And way down at the bottom: https://submit.shutterstock.com/legal/terms?language=en

18. Miscellaneous

f. Please note that Shutterstock reserves the right to modify these terms at any time in its sole discretion, it being understood that no changes shall apply to any pending arbitration proceeding commenced or legal claims asserted prior to such change. Shutterstock will notify you of any such change by an announcement on this page, your login page, and/or by other means to provide you the opportunity to review the modifications before they become effective. Modifications to these TOS will not apply retroactively. By continuing to make Content available through Shutterstock, you agree to be bound by all such changes. If you do not agree with any of the changes, please remove from Shutterstock, pursuant to the terms herein, all or that portion of your Content to which you do not wish the changes to apply.

g. In the event that you breach any of the terms of this or any other agreement with Shutterstock, Shutterstock shall have the right to terminate your account without further notice, in addition to Shutterstock's other rights at law and/or equity.

And translated, they can change anything, at any time. Also "if you don't like it, please remove your images"

Agree or leave, that's the choice.

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on December 16, 2020, 08:47

Quote from: alan b traehern on December 15, 2020, 15:25

Can you read? https://submit.shutterstock.com/legal/terms?language=en Did you ever read this? Contracts change, they did nothing illegal, you have no class action suit. 18 f Please note that Shutterstock reserves the right to modify these terms at any time in its sole discretion,

And where in the agreement does it state that they will take away 2/3 of your income? Is that your idea of "fair" business practices? And was the agreement the same when contributors signed up 10 years ago? The most prominent statement I recall was the SS stating: "The more you contribute, the more you'll earn"

Microsoft recently agreed to a multi-billion dollar settlement when a class action lawsuit claimed that they overcharged consumers during a certain time period. I don't think it would be difficult to convince the courts that the SS and other stock agencies used unfair and unethical business practices when they stripped away 2/3 of their contributor's income.

And sweetheart, would you do me a favor? If you're going to vent your anger would you mind directing it at those trying to take away your income/livelihood and not at those trying to create a fair playing field?

Who's angry. I asked a couple of questions and link the contract. Now you want to talk of Microstock and unethical, fair play. There's no law on your side. Take it or leave.

Calling you sweetheart, I'd be offended, isn't that a sexist remark attacking you. We all have the same playing field and rules. If you don't like that, go away.