Hi, I had been a contributor at shutterstock over many years.  As my company decided to close stock activity I requested shutterstock to close account in end-December 2020.  At that time there had been over a hundred remaining images many of which I had tried to delete manually but they kept re-appearing.  Anyway I was informed by one of their Expert responders that it can take up to 90 days for the account to be fully closed and I decided to wait out that period.  It is now over 90 days but my remaining images are still showing on sale at shutterstock, but without showing any contributor name.
Have written again to shutterstock (awaiting response) but meanwhile am wondering if someone here has similar experience with shutterstock?

Thanks very much, appreciate it greatly

Thanks, thats great to know

I feel stuck with Part III Claim of Tax Treaty Benefits. How does one respond on 14 a, b, c? And 15 Special rates and conditions?  Any comment much appreciated.

All other sections don't really seem to apply..

Hi, anyone know how to fill the latest W8BEN E (April 2016 version) for filing to Shutterstock?  It should apply if you are not US based and operate your account through a private limited company (called AB in Sweden).

Any guidance much appreciated, thanks!

And a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all !!

Its sad that SS, that was long seen as positive and contributor-friendly, seems to have trudged away in a different direction. First came the BS takeover when many contributors were left off the 'bridge' and ended up with ridiculously low sub royalties that undercut even SS sub commissions. Then, in many recent months many contributors have seen a declining trend in downloads (I surely have), probably due to the massive growth in content at the agency.  And finally there's been no raise for contributors in a long, long time ..

The sheen has certainly worn off. Sad. 

Surprised to find a whole bunch of my images selling on a site called StockPodium.

Have written to them twice to clarify what authority they have to sell my images - and waiting for reply!! 

Wondering if anyone knows anything about this site .. or has any experience with them?

I wish I had never uploaded to this site.  While I have deactivated a good part of my port, it remains concerning that DP keeps deactivated images in their system instead of deleting them. WHY? one wonders ..   

Likewise, have emailed PD about clarification and also enquired about account closing.

Last thing one needs is audit and tax problems on the pennies made � so unnecessary 

WHAT ?? No more complaining?? But what else am I in microstock for? It sure ain't for the money � 

I got 5 of these yesterday ..

Opted out, as it didn't make financial sense to me from a contributors point.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

While on this thread, I understand that this would only be relevant if one was selling direct to consumer (example, Symbiostock).

But others (either company or individual micro stocker) who was selling ONLY through stock agencies should not be affected?  As its the stock agency who would be taking on the sales to consumer accounting and tax.  Can anyone guide please?  Am I seeing this correctly or is there an impact even if one is selling only through stock agencies??

As a micro stocker with company based in Sweden, I'm wondering how all this will finally affect me

Its great to see a stock agency doing well in the marketplace.  It shows positivity when many other agencies seem to be struggling, creating an overall negative environment. 

Having said that, its unfortunate that SS have not come out with any increase in basic  commission structure to contributors in a number of years. The producers of the content also have costs and also live in an inflationary world.  An agency when doing well, could remember that contributors are the backbone of this industry and owners of the content. Should we not be a part of the success?