Is it real? You can sign in using your SS ID and password....anyone try yet? I'm not so sure about giving that info unless I'm 100% sure this is indeed a SS site.

The domain is owned by Shutterstock according to the whois info.

Jenn (bortonia) sorted out my problem above swiftly. Thanks Jenn.

Keep an eye on those crowns in 30 days or so

Edit: OT

Webmasters are considering blocking Google images according to this blog and others. I think they feel that they've been locked out due to the changes made - no useful traffic to their websites from Google Images as there was just a few days ago. Some of the comments are worth a read.

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.

Can anyone confirm that Ingram Publishing's SignElements (formerly iSignStock) feeds into Thinkstock? Thinkstock being a Google Drive conveyor.

Apologies if I've missed something already posted.

[Edited for clarity]

The problem with all the PR on this issue is that it will drive "buyers" to Google Drive to snag free images. Sorta like free advertising.

it is a double edged sword of the worst kind.

OX
...the drain spins faster

Those images have already been orphaned plus they're being distributed via Google to a much larger crowd than this PR would ever generate. Best to use this sorry situation as an example for longer term goals I reckon.

There's a bit more background information on Instagram's "need to monetise" in this report from the Beeb;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20767537

I agree with this comment on that article by John McCormick

"One thing the complacent overlook. This is what the top of the slippery slope looks like. You'll find after one or two more shake-ups like this that THEY own YOUR photo, because you uploaded it onto THEIR server. As inevitable as gravity. Get out while you can."

Even if they do a u-turn - that's it for me.

This is too weird, just searching for innocent terms "organic vegetables", here is another one:
http://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/photo/carnivorous-cabbage-high-res-stock-photography/104626198

What would be the use of this one apart from giving me nightmares? 

Fear of genetically modified crops? Like them both, attempting something different should be applauded

"It's a big day at the iStock office! This beautiful piece of hardware is up for grabs:  http://twitpic.com/b5jnkw"

I hope no one considers Photoshopping that.

Looks good - nice job.

Here are some of my findings which I hope might be useful � written in a patronising form for the sake of speed

You won't be able to take a holiday for the first two years at least - and you won't want to.
You will need to keep expectations low and keep under the radar after launch whilst you learn how to run an agency.
You will really notice and appreciate the contributors putting in the time to help your project.
You won't be able to get behind test portfolios and their owners will be your most vocal critics.
You must have the full support of your immediate family, even if not directly involved they will have to make sacrifices too.

Above all you will need to enjoy your new job and you will only enjoy it if you can shape and control it - Ktools might not be up to the job in the longer term, that's just my opinion though.

I was up last night until 6AM due to someone in the southern hemisphere having a credit card issue which I needed to look into in case it turned out to be a wider site problem (which it wasn't thankfully & the customer got his image) - it will be your baby and you might have to skip sleep sometimes.

If no one here can talk you out of it then just do it, but I would consider writing your own code so you can deviate from the norm if you want to and when the time is right.

Good luck!