Reading through the SS forum thread, this look like a complete mess.  As none of the other US based sites ask for this, I can't see many people doing it just for shutterstock.  They will have to explain why they need the ITIN number when I know other US companies just ask for a W-8BEN form to be filled in every few years.

Macro agencies have had to deal with this for years. i can't think of one that hasn't asked for a w-8BEN form. The form requires either a ITIN or EIN to be valid. It is probably something that will catch up with all US based micros as the default to collect tax will probably land on the micros door. If they don't collect it doesn't mean they shouldn't have and may be liable for it or a fine. My advice is get the number. As far as I can tell you never actually have to deal with the IRS after that. It's a simple enough process and once complete your good to go. W-BEN takes a minute to fill out and that's it. I don't think I have gotten asked for a second one from anybody. They don't seem to expire. The idea of paying 30% or higher to Uncle Sam, who is not even my cousin, doesn't sit right with me and this makes it all very legal and complete.

Everyone is allowed to say what they like on this forum within the sites rules even if you completely disagree. However remember when you attack someone without data and substance it makes you look threatened and weak. This poster should not be a threat to anyone here. To post just to be mean supports nothing and keeps people away from posting their thoughts here. There have been some good debates on this topic but please use your brains when making judgements instead of just useless banter it is far more helpful to the readers. If you don't have anything nice or informative to offer maybe just don't hit the send button.

This from Wikipedia;

"One travel experience, undertaken by hundreds of thousands of hippies between 1969�1971, was the Hippie trail overland route to India. Carrying little or no luggage, and with small amounts of cash, almost all followed the same route, hitch-hiking across Europe to Athens and on to Istanbul, then by train through central Turkey via Erzurum, continuing by bus into Iran, via Tabriz and Tehran to Mashad, across the Afghan border into Herat, through southern Afghanistan via Kandahar to Kabul, over the Khyber Pass into Pakistan, via Rawalpindi and Lahore to the Indian frontier. Once in India, hippies went to many different destinations but gathered in large numbers on the beaches of Goa,[70] or crossed the border into Nepal to spend months in Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, most of the hippies hung out in tranquil surrounding of a place called Freak Street[71] (Nepal Bhasa: Jhoo Chhen) which still exists near Kathmandu Durbar Square"

Only Old Hippy could tell me if he was offended or not. I rather thought I paid him a slanted complement.

if you're rough enough you can live pretty well with 6-700$/month in india, china, and indochina, all inclusive.

How is this useful information? Your not one of those guys who got kicked out of Freak Street in Kathmandu are you?

Same here, as usual stopped by the kettle to warm water for tea, let the dog out, stopped in the bathroom, hit the forums a few seconds later. Probably walk all the way downstairs to the studio later this morning. I'll warm up of course so I don't hurt myself.

I  pulled my images off their site a couple of days ago. Even more of a reason to do this.

I think the all time records is around a $125,000 for the splash screen to Windows 97. I could be wrong about the amount and the exact copy of Windows but you Windows users know the shot of the green field and blue sky. The amount is about right. It really depends on the industry and how widespread the usage is. $10,000 is not unreasonable for larger usages. Ask for it next time, you'll be surprised what you can get.

I'm looking for people who sold exclusive usage rights to one or more of their images before.

Please PM me.

Sure but obviously not anything that's ever been micro.

Hi,

please what is minimum size of photo for getty? (At MPX)

Thanks.

50 from an approved an camera

In 2008 my expenses ran around 15%. 

I don't know if I would call that reinvestment though.  A lot of it went to locations, props, models office supplies, and yes also some equipment.   

I just look at it as the cost of doing business.

I'd certainly call all of that a reinvestment.  You need good basic gear but you also need to make images.

  1700 images    And you delete everything. That�s like a punch in the face for me.  I�ve been struggeling a year to get 250 images approved.   How long have you been there? 

It's supposed to be a poke in the eye for FT but like I said, I doubt anyone will notice. I believe they are go-no-where agency. I have to feel at minimum like there is some chance of success but they have shown me this will never happen. It's a drunkards walk with them. Get close and the rules change and you are forced to walk backwards and sideways again. My first upload was on April 25/08 so just over a year.

No provocation taken. I doubt Fotolio will miss me one bit. In general I perform very poorly in the micro world.

Is this because of increase in resources or a decline in submissions? Does anyone know?