Author Topic: Shutterstock asking for buying all rights to one of my footage (Read 8737 times)

Mograph · « **on:** December 03, 2020, 12:08 »

¨I am happy to notify you that we are interested in buying all rights to footage xxxxxxx in your portfolio on behalf of our client. For this offer to proceed, I would like to know the following from you.

1. Are you interested in a full copyright transfer of this footage to Shutterstock for $3,033.85 commission?
2. Where else is the footage available and for how long has it been available at those agencies? (If terms are finalized, the footage and similars will need to be removed from all other agencies, including Shutterstock)
3. Are there similar footages in addition to and that we need to be aware of? If yes, please explain where the similars are and how many exist total.

This offer is very time sensitive so please confirm whether or not you are interested in this offer as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.¨

today I received this message from shutter, any experiences or opinions?
This clip has generated 400 usd so far, I have it for about 2 years on the market. And also does anyone know what is the process they do to transfer the rights? What documents do they ask for?
Thank you in advance!

Clair Voyant · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2020, 12:32 »

Commonly referred to as a "buy out". If your net is 3300 then I think you should go for it based on the numbers you have provided. Thus far you have made approximately 200 per year, so they are offering you 16+ years worth of "potential" earnings. It's a no brainer.

Mograph · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2020, 15:24 »

from these 400 usd this clip made 289 usd in November 2020, I think is curious

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2020, 17:39 »

The only thing you didn't mention is if there are similars and how well they sell. Shutterstock is only buying the copyright to one item and if (theoretically) you had 5 other similar clips that made you a lot of money, you might want to up the price or ask them to buy the other clips too.

What gets defined as a similar is a bit vague - generally same setting, models and theme shot at the same time (or effectively the same time).

And can you remove the footage from everywhere else if you decided to go ahead? Some sites have rules about what can be deleted and when, or have a 6 month notice, as Alamy does with images.

If your net is $3k, I wonder what Shutterstock is charging the buyer...

gnirtS · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2020, 19:58 »

Ive had this happen twice.
Once was a clip that had made about $50 total in 3 years so a very easy decision to get rid of it for a lot more money than it would likely ever make. I still cant work out why anyone would want it.

Second was my most popular clip thats pulled in thousands (and continues to do so) so i said no.

pancaketom · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2020, 20:17 »

I suggest a 50/50 split with SS - so calculate that out based on what tier you are. Probably about twice what they are offering you.

Mograph · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2020, 20:44 »

Quote from: gnirtS on December 03, 2020, 19:58

Ive had this happen twice.
Once was a clip that had made about $50 total in 3 years so a very easy decision to get rid of it for a lot more money than it would likely ever make. I still cant work out why anyone would want it.

Second was my most popular clip thats pulled in thousands (and continues to do so) so i said no.

what is the process they do to transfer the rights? What documents do they ask for?
Thank you in advance!

JaenStock · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2020, 06:08 »

Do it

Perry · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2020, 09:37 »

IF the clip would be selling at the same speed, It would take you 15 years to sell the clip for $3000.
In real life it won't be selling for 15 years.

I'd grab the money and run!

eyewave · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2020, 11:24 »

TAKE THE MONEY before it's too late

They'll tell you what to do after you accepted.

Evaristo tenscadisto · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2020, 12:18 »

My guess its probably for a movie sort of thing. They have to get full rights otherwise distributions will not allow it. you could get royalties for movie, tv, and all digital platforms. get a lawyer, register clip (your art work) fast. And ask them if transfer of rights is for a period of time or Lifetime. If it is lifetime its probably a movie. You get the moral right of having your name in credits ( not microstock agency) but you never see a penny after that even if your work is redistributed platforms not yet invented.

best regards!

gnirtS · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2020, 14:35 »

Quote from: Mograph on December 03, 2020, 20:44

what is the process they do to transfer the rights? What documents do they ask for?
Thank you in advance!
[/quote]

The one i agreed to was a few years ago so might be different but it was all done via email (which in most countries is sufficient as a contract). They also requested the raw, unedited footage which is fair enough, free from compression artefacts, easier to grade and so on.
I wasn't asked about similar footage, simply that it be removed from elsewhere (which wasnt hard as it was on 1 other site and had never sold)

At the time i thought it was the right option and for that clip, still do think that.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2020, 15:55 »

You could get a lawyer, but there's virtually no point in doing so when it comes down to reality... take the money.

Noedelhap · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2020, 07:33 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on December 03, 2020, 17:39

If your net is $3k, I wonder what Shutterstock is charging the buyer...

My guess is the standard 30% for him, 70 for them. Or if they're generous (haha, couldn't write that with a straight face) it's 50-50.

PinHead · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2020, 13:48 »

Do you mind if I ask you to show us a link to that clip? thank u

Pauws99 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2020, 04:13 »

Quote from: PinHead on December 05, 2020, 13:48

Do you mind if I ask you to show us a link to that clip? thank u

and why would he want to do that?

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2020, 04:26 »

Quote from: Mograph on December 03, 2020, 15:24

from these 400 usd this clip made 289 usd in November 2020, I think is curious

Was that from several sales or just a few and one big one? My guess would be that they initially bought an extended license and then decided they needed full rights. I could be wrong, hard to say.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2020, 08:11 »

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on December 06, 2020, 04:26

Quote from: Mograph on December 03, 2020, 15:24
from these 400 usd this clip made 289 usd in November 2020, I think is curious

Was that from several sales or just a few and one big one? My guess would be that they initially bought an extended license and then decided they needed full rights. I could be wrong, hard to say.

Yes but really I wouldn't overthink it and just take the money before they change their minds.

PinHead · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2020, 11:22 »

Quote from: Pauws99 on December 06, 2020, 04:13

Quote from: PinHead on December 05, 2020, 13:48
Do you mind if I ask you to show us a link to that clip? thank u
and why would he want to do that?

Why not !? Is there any secret and i dont know...I would like to see it for many reasons: subject,quality...etc

CJH Photography · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2020, 11:37 »

There's a possibility that it would reveal something about marketing strategy or technique that the creator would prefer not to share with competitors.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 07, 2020, 03:46 »

Quote from: CJH Photography on December 06, 2020, 11:37

There's a possibility that it would reveal something about marketing strategy or technique that the creator would prefer not to share with competitors.

Or lead to a flood of "me too" similars that would devalue the original to the buyer.

Cams · « **Reply #21 on:** December 07, 2020, 05:48 »

Hmmm.. Just joined this group and saw this post. I once sold a 12 month buyout for a clip on Dissolve and received just under $2400 for a 12 month buyout on one clip. From my experience, Shutterstock is ripping you off for full copyright buyout in perpetuity for that amount. Tread carefully

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Author Topic: Shutterstock asking for buying all rights to one of my footage (Read 8737 times)

Mograph

Clair Voyant

Mograph

Jo Ann Snover

gnirtS

pancaketom

Mograph

JaenStock

Perry

eyewave

Evaristo tenscadisto

gnirtS

SpaceStockFootage

Noedelhap

PinHead

Pauws99

SpaceStockFootage

Pauws99

PinHead

CJH Photography

Pauws99

Cams

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