Author Topic: Banned by Shutterstock? (Read 32719 times)

Horizon · « **Reply #25 on:** February 16, 2021, 14:18 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 16, 2021, 12:45

Quote from: Horizon on February 15, 2021, 12:26
Many years back there was a big argument between Scott and Rinder it all ended up with Scott leaving and got about 50 peple banned in the process of leaving! and I'm talking some very big names getting banned! being banned from SS is nothing new!

50 people banned from the forum for an incident? That's amazing. Must have been some real blow up? Banned for what reason? Fifty People! Scott?

You were around then?? no? it started with a row between Laurin and Scott and tons of members took Laurins side, cut a long story short it all got totally out of hand with lots of swearing this and that. Scott got the boot I think but just before leaving he banned lots of people that was cheering on Laurin!...surprised you dont remember??

Diana Herrmann · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2021, 15:54 »

Quote from: Horizon on February 16, 2021, 14:18

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 16, 2021, 12:45
Quote from: Horizon on February 15, 2021, 12:26
Many years back there was a big argument between Scott and Rinder it all ended up with Scott leaving and got about 50 peple banned in the process of leaving! and I'm talking some very big names getting banned! being banned from SS is nothing new!

50 people banned from the forum for an incident? That's amazing. Must have been some real blow up? Banned for what reason? Fifty People! Scott?

You were around then?? no? it started with a row between Laurin and Scott and tons of members took Laurins side, cut a long story short it all got totally out of hand with lots of swearing this and that. Scott got the boot I think but just before leaving he banned lots of people that was cheering on Laurin!...surprised you dont remember??

Scott was the Admin there, then it makes more understanding how 50 people got banned by mad managers.

Dodie · « **Reply #27 on:** February 16, 2021, 16:13 »

Quote from: Horizon on February 16, 2021, 14:18

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 16, 2021, 12:45
Quote from: Horizon on February 15, 2021, 12:26
Many years back there was a big argument between Scott and Rinder it all ended up with Scott leaving and got about 50 peple banned in the process of leaving! and I'm talking some very big names getting banned! being banned from SS is nothing new!

50 people banned from the forum for an incident? That's amazing. Must have been some real blow up? Banned for what reason? Fifty People! Scott?

You were around then?? no? it started with a row between Laurin and Scott and tons of members took Laurins side, cut a long story short it all got totally out of hand with lots of swearing this and that. Scott got the boot I think but just before leaving he banned lots of people that was cheering on Laurin!...surprised you dont remember??

I was around (from 2012) but I don't remember such a mass punishment ever. Sure not 5 years ago because at this time more people would like to see Laurin gone than cheering on his stay.

obj owl · « **Reply #28 on:** February 16, 2021, 17:35 »

Quote from: cobalt on February 16, 2021, 05:32

I can still write on their forums but my contributor account was disabled when I reactivated my files for sale after the two week protest.

No reason was given, their small print apparently allows them to do this.

They brought in a new rule that if you deactivated your account you could not restore it for a month. Maybe, try again.

Horizon · « **Reply #29 on:** February 17, 2021, 03:13 »

Quote from: Dodie on February 16, 2021, 16:13

Quote from: Horizon on February 16, 2021, 14:18
Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 16, 2021, 12:45
Quote from: Horizon on February 15, 2021, 12:26
Many years back there was a big argument between Scott and Rinder it all ended up with Scott leaving and got about 50 peple banned in the process of leaving! and I'm talking some very big names getting banned! being banned from SS is nothing new!

50 people banned from the forum for an incident? That's amazing. Must have been some real blow up? Banned for what reason? Fifty People! Scott?

You were around then?? no? it started with a row between Laurin and Scott and tons of members took Laurins side, cut a long story short it all got totally out of hand with lots of swearing this and that. Scott got the boot I think but just before leaving he banned lots of people that was cheering on Laurin!...surprised you dont remember??
I was around (from 2012) but I don't remember such a mass punishment ever. Sure not 5 years ago because at this time more people would like to see Laurin gone than cheering on his stay.

As Diane said Scott was in the Admin and got the boot, it wasnt officially known but actually it was more the 50 as some sort of revenge thing! many also had their ports removed!

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #30 on:** February 17, 2021, 13:42 »

Quote from: Horizon on February 17, 2021, 03:13

Quote from: Dodie on February 16, 2021, 16:13
Quote from: Horizon on February 16, 2021, 14:18
Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 16, 2021, 12:45
Quote from: Horizon on February 15, 2021, 12:26
Many years back there was a big argument between Scott and Rinder it all ended up with Scott leaving and got about 50 peple banned in the process of leaving! and I'm talking some very big names getting banned! being banned from SS is nothing new!

50 people banned from the forum for an incident? That's amazing. Must have been some real blow up? Banned for what reason? Fifty People! Scott?

You were around then?? no? it started with a row between Laurin and Scott and tons of members took Laurins side, cut a long story short it all got totally out of hand with lots of swearing this and that. Scott got the boot I think but just before leaving he banned lots of people that was cheering on Laurin!...surprised you dont remember??
I was around (from 2012) but I don't remember such a mass punishment ever. Sure not 5 years ago because at this time more people would like to see Laurin gone than cheering on his stay.

As Diane said Scott was in the Admin and got the boot, it wasnt officially known but actually it was more the 50 as some sort of revenge thing! many also had their ports removed!

Well you know this is a Microstock discussion, so if I didn't see it, then it didn't happen?

Thanks for explaining, I might not have been active on the forum or wasn't paying attention or being a Senior I forgot. LOL Thank you for refreshing the time and circumstances.

No I don't remember Scott, or some uprising defending Rinder (that's odd in itself) or 50 people being banned. Sounds pretty much like this Scott (if it's true) had a personal melt down and before being let go, a little bit of narcissistic anger and a boatload of revenge. Or maybe it was his way of insuring he'd be let go, by scuttling the ship and jumping overboard. Whatever it all sounds rude and mean spirited. OK plain stupid and senseless covers it.

I remember Vincent who was decent and tried. He left on his own. He started in 2012. I'll guess that he replaced Scott?

Now back to NOW. Did anyone actually have their account closed as a contributor, in 2020, for what they posted on the forums? I know some people disabled and had lost images or couldn't enable them again. SS didn't initiate that. And who could ever know what software flaws could create a blocked account after it was disabled?

Quote from: blvdone on February 14, 2021, 09:14

I've heard many contributors were banned by Shutterstock last year when they changed the royalty structure.

I heard that no one was banned and the number was not "many" if any, possibly one and he disabled his own account. The rest of your leading questions are based on the false assumption that you invented.

Lets try again, @Blvdone, who was actually banned? Maybe then we could find out why, if they know? Should be easy if it was many people?

Or is the whole post just a troll?

duns123 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 07, 2021, 04:46 »

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on February 14, 2021, 11:15

Quote from: Bart on February 14, 2021, 11:02
Banned 🙋‍♂️. No reason given, violation of TOS but that can be anything. Cancel Culture at its best, they probably didn’t like my public dissatisfaction and posts about their thievery so I got the boot 🥾 #shutterstockcontributor #shutterstockboycott #sstk #shutterstock #boycottshutterstock shutterstocknow

they have every right to legally make such changes,

I wouldn't be so sure about that and why stick up for such an unethical company? if it is legal it should say in the T&Cs that they have the right to cut pay rates but it doesn't. I don't why you say that they do have the legal right. If I'd known they'd pull a stunt like that, I wouldn't have joined SS 6 months earlier. There are even new contributors who left disgusted after they got their 1st lowest sub-rate DL sale. I was banned (forum only but don't care) because for 3 months straight all I got was the lowest sub rate for DLs and so I complained about it on the forum saying greedy called them names etc. but anyone would after the pitiful earnings I got. SS doesn't even allow people to say how much they earn on other sites which is definitely against freedom of speech. I'd understand if we were employees but we're not. If someone is trained like I was in the 80s (art/design and photography, companies should pay decent rates. But thanks to the rich tech geeks & their websites they (and the buyers) have reduced the value of design & photography and nothing was ever done to control them.

Copidosoma · « **Reply #32 on:** May 07, 2021, 08:14 »

Quote from: duns123 on May 07, 2021, 04:46

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on February 14, 2021, 11:15
Quote from: Bart on February 14, 2021, 11:02
Banned 🙋‍♂️. No reason given, violation of TOS but that can be anything. Cancel Culture at its best, they probably didn’t like my public dissatisfaction and posts about their thievery so I got the boot 🥾 #shutterstockcontributor #shutterstockboycott #sstk #shutterstock #boycottshutterstock shutterstocknow

they have every right to legally make such changes,

I wouldn't be so sure about that and why stick up for such an unethical company? if it is legal it should say in the T&Cs that they have the right to cut pay rates but it doesn't. I don't why you say that they do have the legal right. If I'd known they'd pull a stunt like that, I wouldn't have joined SS 6 months earlier. There are even new contributors who left disgusted after they got their 1st lowest sub-rate DL sale. I was banned (forum only but don't care) because for 3 months straight all I got was the lowest sub rate for DLs and so I complained about it on the forum saying greedy called them names etc. but anyone would after the pitiful earnings I got. SS doesn't even allow people to say how much they earn on other sites which is definitely against freedom of speech. I'd understand if we were employees but we're not. If someone is trained like I was in the 80s (art/design and photography, companies should pay decent rates. But thanks to the rich tech geeks & their websites they (and the buyers) have reduced the value of design & photography and nothing was ever done to control them.

Ummm, the T&Cs absolutely say that SS can set and change royalties. How on Earth do you think that they shouldn't be?

You are NOT a Shutterstock employee. You are using their service to sell licenses to use your images. You are a customer (edit: you are basically a customer of their service). They pay you a royalty and as long as you are ok with that royalty you will continue to use their service (or not like some of us).
Get off your high horse, you aren't special. If you want to be a rich tech geek, start your own microstock company.

Zero Talent · « **Reply #33 on:** May 07, 2021, 09:12 »

Quote from: Copidosoma on May 07, 2021, 08:14

Quote from: duns123 on May 07, 2021, 04:46
Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on February 14, 2021, 11:15
Quote from: Bart on February 14, 2021, 11:02
Banned 🙋‍♂️. No reason given, violation of TOS but that can be anything. Cancel Culture at its best, they probably didn’t like my public dissatisfaction and posts about their thievery so I got the boot 🥾 #shutterstockcontributor #shutterstockboycott #sstk #shutterstock #boycottshutterstock shutterstocknow

they have every right to legally make such changes,

I wouldn't be so sure about that and why stick up for such an unethical company? if it is legal it should say in the T&Cs that they have the right to cut pay rates but it doesn't. I don't why you say that they do have the legal right. If I'd known they'd pull a stunt like that, I wouldn't have joined SS 6 months earlier. There are even new contributors who left disgusted after they got their 1st lowest sub-rate DL sale. I was banned (forum only but don't care) because for 3 months straight all I got was the lowest sub rate for DLs and so I complained about it on the forum saying greedy called them names etc. but anyone would after the pitiful earnings I got. SS doesn't even allow people to say how much they earn on other sites which is definitely against freedom of speech. I'd understand if we were employees but we're not. If someone is trained like I was in the 80s (art/design and photography, companies should pay decent rates. But thanks to the rich tech geeks & their websites they (and the buyers) have reduced the value of design & photography and nothing was ever done to control them.

Ummm, the T&Cs absolutely say that SS can set and change royalties. How on Earth do you think that they shouldn't be?

You are NOT a Shutterstock employee. You are using their service to sell licenses to use your images. You are a customer. They pay you a royalty and as long as you are ok with that royalty you will continue to use their service (or not like some of us).
Get off your high horse, you aren't special. If you want to be a rich tech geek, start your own microstock company.

Actually, the ToS specifies that we are independent contractors:

18. Miscellaneous
The relationship of the parties is that of independent contractors. There is no relationship of partnership, joint venture, employment, franchise or agency created hereby between the parties.

And yes, when we all signed up and agreed to work with them, we also agreed that SS can change everything, including royalties. We obviously have the option to stop working with them, if the new terms are not fitting our standards:

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

Copidosoma · « **Reply #34 on:** May 07, 2021, 12:06 »

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #35 on:** May 09, 2021, 04:51 »

Quote from: duns123 on May 07, 2021, 04:46

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on February 14, 2021, 11:15
Quote from: Bart on February 14, 2021, 11:02
Banned 🙋‍♂️. No reason given, violation of TOS but that can be anything. Cancel Culture at its best, they probably didn’t like my public dissatisfaction and posts about their thievery so I got the boot 🥾 #shutterstockcontributor #shutterstockboycott #sstk #shutterstock #boycottshutterstock shutterstocknow

they have every right to legally make such changes,

I wouldn't be so sure about that and why stick up for such an unethical company? if it is legal it should say in the T&Cs that they have the right to cut pay rates but it doesn't. I don't why you say that they do have the legal right.

As explained by others, it does say it in the T&C's. Stating facts doesn't mean I'm sticking up for a company. I could have said "you're right, they're breaking the law and you should sue them" to make you happy... but that would be a lie, and potentially costly advice.

duns123 · « **Reply #36 on:** May 15, 2021, 15:21 »

I was also banned from the forum with no warning and I rarely posted. Contributor account is still going though but will leave SS when I reach $35 threshold which is taking a lo-ng time due to the miserly lo-ow DL payments. Wish I could leave now but can't afford to forfeit my earnings with the time I've put in there.

lostintimeline · « **Reply #37 on:** May 15, 2021, 18:08 »

the best thing is to not share your opinions,when its something negative towards the agency at their forums anymore.they dont want you to criticize them for any of their actions.including the joke 10 cents sales
its their site.its their business.ITS their rules.although i find it bit funny that there is a thread for other agencies to work with with the title new oportunites. i guess that didnt bother them, that people talking about their competitors and the thread is still active
what really annoyes me with ss is not so much the 10 cents ok its something serious.BUT the whole AI reviewing images
you getting tons of rejections cause of some stupid program and it drives many people away .
unfo i see this happening lately with adobe.the one rejection after the other and i have to wonder if they are also using an AI

kall3bu · « **Reply #38 on:** May 16, 2021, 06:18 »

Quote from: duns123 on May 15, 2021, 15:21

I was also banned from the forum with no warning and I rarely posted. Contributor account is still going though but will leave SS when I reach $35 threshold which is taking a lo-ng time due to the miserly lo-ow DL payments. Wish I could leave now but can't afford to forfeit my earnings with the time I've put in there.

Somebody wrote here that we get our payment even if it is below the 35 $, if we close our account.
I also still do not really believe it and wanted to ask SS about that, but that day even the moderators links were not working - and of course there is no chance anymore to contact directly to SS support and get someone to answer from SS itself. So i am also curious, should I wait until I can get my payout or not? but it will for sure take much longer than for you, because when SS started the new payment, I deleted all better photos and only left the worst and some normal photos, which - why ever - until now get sales regulary.

gnirtS · « **Reply #39 on:** May 16, 2021, 07:27 »

Unless its changed recently then no, you dont get payment if you close an account under that number.

That said, its only <$35. Its not important.

K2 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 16, 2021, 21:35 »

Getting banned by SS might not be such a bad thing. I haven't been banned personally, but just saying. Why be bothered with a company that doesn't give one iota of respect to contributors? I've deleted my SS account today after 9 years and will just go video exclusive to Pond5.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #41 on:** May 17, 2021, 22:21 »

Quote from: K2 on May 16, 2021, 21:35

Getting banned by SS might not be such a bad thing. I haven't been banned personally, but just saying. Why be bothered with a company that doesn't give one iota of respect to contributors? I've deleted my SS account today after 9 years and will just go video exclusive to Pond5.

I haven't closed my account, or removed my "best" images, but you did hit the nail on that other part. Being banned from the forum isn't a blessing.

There's a difference as most of the people who have posted about being banned, are writing about the forum, not their sales accounts.

Mantis · « **Reply #42 on:** May 18, 2021, 07:41 »

I was banned for 6-months, and here I am 13 years later still banned. Could care less.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #43 on:** May 18, 2021, 09:01 »

Quote from: Mantis on May 18, 2021, 07:41

I was banned for 6-months, and here I am 13 years later still banned. Could care less.

My compliments!

You have resisted the urge to ask for reinstatement and also didn't just create a new forum account like some others who can't stay away.

I am self banned for a vacation.

Quote from: Horizon on February 17, 2021, 03:13

As Diane said Scott was in the Admin and got the boot, it wasnt officially known but actually it was more the 50 as some sort of revenge thing! many also had their ports removed!

This BS artist is banned here forever and has been banned from SS forums for life. Most others if memory serves, I'm not going to keep tabs on someone who has managed to be banned almost everywhere. But if the reason for a ban was based on facts and truth, that would be a good cause. The fact is, 50 people were not banned because of some forum dispute with one person and his followers. Which brings me around to SS forum and some others, where people make up insider information, adulterate the facts, and spread rumors or lies, which later get turned into "someone said..." factoids.

My point is, sometimes the forums were fun and entertaining and informative. SS forum has dropped into barely alive and limited to a very small group of contributors. Most of the old time, forum regulars with insight and personality have left or been banned.

duns123 · « **Reply #44 on:** July 01, 2021, 05:09 »

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on February 14, 2021, 11:15

Quote from: Bart on February 14, 2021, 11:02
Banned 🙋‍♂️. No reason given, violation of TOS but that can be anything. Cancel Culture at its best, they probably didn’t like my public dissatisfaction and posts about their thievery so I got the boot 🥾 #shutterstockcontributor #shutterstockboycott #sstk #shutterstock #boycottshutterstock shutterstocknow

If you were posting about 'their thievery' then that would be the reason. However much you or I disagree with the change to their royalty structure, they have every right to legally make such changes, and if you accuse them of being thieves then that would be defamation.

Are you sure about that? As far as I'm concerned they've broken their T&S's as it does not say that they massively reduce payments anywhere. If I'd known 6 months earlier that they'd do that I wouldn't have joined SS. Do they have the right to reduce their pay rate yet keep contributors locked in their absurd new royalty system? They are a US company after all not a 3rd world despot regime As far as I know, you can't cash out until you reach the $35 minimum payout. So if you want to be paid you have no choice but to keep working for the frankly insulting sub download prices. We also have to put up with shoddy CS and silence from moderators on the forum.

Firn · « **Reply #45 on:** July 01, 2021, 05:17 »

Quote from: duns123 on July 01, 2021, 05:09

As far as I'm concerned they've broken their T&S's as it does not say that they massively reduce payments anywhere.

Their ToS say:
"Please note that Shutterstock reserves the right to modify these terms at any time in its sole discretion."

Quote from: duns123 on July 01, 2021, 05:09

Do they have the right to reduce their pay rate yet keep contributors locked in their absurd new royalty system?

No and they aren't doing that. You are not "locked" in their new royality system. You are free to close your account if you do not agree with the new royality structure. No one is forcing you. And about needing to keep your account open till you reach minimum payout if the $35 are that important to you: It's written in the ToS that you will not get your money if you close your account before reaching minimum payout and you agreed to it by signing up.

duns123 · « **Reply #46 on:** July 01, 2021, 05:17 »

I was banned from their forums but still have a contributor account but when I get to the minimum payment, I'll make sure I get paid then close my account. Only have a few hundred images on there anyway.

cascoly · « **Reply #47 on:** July 01, 2021, 15:56 »

and regarding the false claims that freedom of speech was violated:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

agencies make their rules (TOS) and artists can choose to accept them or not. nothing unlawful

duns123 · « **Reply #48 on:** July 03, 2021, 15:03 »

Quote from: Firn on July 01, 2021, 05:17

Quote from: duns123 on July 01, 2021, 05:09

As far as I'm concerned they've broken their T&S's as it does not say that they massively reduce payments anywhere.

Their ToS say:
"Please note that Shutterstock reserves the right to modify these terms at any time in its sole discretion."

Quote from: duns123 on July 01, 2021, 05:09
Do they have the right to reduce their pay rate yet keep contributors locked in their absurd new royalty system?

No and they aren't doing that. You are not "locked" in their new royality system. You are free to close your account if you do not agree with the new royality structure. No one is forcing you. And about needing to keep your account open till you reach minimum payout if the $35 are that important to you: It's written in the ToS that you will not get your money if you close your account before reaching minimum payout and you agreed to it by signing up.

I completely disagree I wouldn't have joined if I knew they'd pull a stunt like that.
I'm no lawyer but no way does it say in the T&S that they have the right to reduce payments and why stick up for them anyway? Why does anyone unless because they've earned loads from the SS grave train before, so don't care about us newer contributors enslaved to their crap unethical regime.

farbled · « **Reply #49 on:** July 03, 2021, 15:08 »

Quote from: duns123 on July 03, 2021, 15:03

I completely disagree I wouldn't have joined if I knew they'd pull a stunt like that.
I'm no lawyer but no way does it say in the T&S that they have the right to reduce payments and why stick up for them anyway? Why does anyone unless because they've earned loads from the SS grave train before, so don't care about us newer contributors enslaved to their crap unethical regime.

You said in one of your many threads you signed up 6 months ago. So you knew or didn't bother reading the TOS. That's on you. You signed up, you volunteered. And yes, if you did read the TOS you would see it says exactly that. They can change as needed.

No one like commission cuts. If you feel like a slave for what you volunteered for, thats also on you.

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Author Topic: Banned by Shutterstock? (Read 32719 times)

Horizon

Diana Herrmann

Dodie

obj owl

Horizon

Uncle Pete

duns123

Copidosoma

Zero Talent

Copidosoma

SpaceStockFootage

duns123

lostintimeline

kall3bu

gnirtS

K2

Uncle Pete

Mantis

Uncle Pete

duns123

Firn

duns123

cascoly

duns123

farbled

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