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Author Topic: You have been selected to participate in a new limited license footage program  (Read 18414 times)

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« on: February 19, 2019, 18:03 »
+3
Here we go again!  >:(

Quote
shutterstock
Dear *****

Weve identified a new footage market that will help give your clips a new opportunity to be discovered and licensed. Clips of yours that are undiscovered on our website will be tested on new platforms with a limited use license structure. You have been selected among other footage contributors to participate in this new limited license program that will give you opportunities to earn more.

This program is part of a new footage marketplace that reaches an audience of millions who have never bought traditional stock footage before. These customers will have a very limited license to use the footage clips; clips will be licensed for use on a single platform to produce short-form digital content.   

This limited license is separate and purely incremental to the value your clips can earn on Shutterstock.com under the broader licenses granted from our website. Your content will continue to be available for license on Shutterstock.com.   

The clips selected to be a part of this new platform test have either never or rarely sold, are not new to the footage site and exclude any high resolution 4K clips. The footage royalty payout rate remains at 30% of the sale price that Shutterstock receives for your footage.   

While our site functionality does not support the ability to opt-out of this limited license program, we believe this is an opportunity to bring you incremental new earnings. Please visit https://submit.shutterstock.com/contact if you require additional support.   

By entering into this limited license program, Shutterstock is able to fulfill customer demand for both high-end and low-end productions. We value your feedback and continue to work on improving our site experience for buyers and contributors alike. Thank you for your partnership.   


« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2019, 18:16 »
+4
I just got this too

No opt out option, SS is just ramming it down our throats like it or not
No explanation on what these licences will go for either

Shitterstock is going to the dumps - check out their forums - between accepting crap images, spamming portfolios, and allowing thieves to run rampant, this site is a sheetshow

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2019, 18:34 »
+2
Sounds likely that these would be super-low earning sales.

« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2019, 19:11 »
+2
I got this also. I have only 1 clip on SS - actually the only place I have a clip - done as a test.
But this certainly doesn't make me want to do more and upload more to SS, that's for sure.
Just how low can the price go for this 'limited license program'???

« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2019, 19:57 »
0
got this "congratulation and you can not say no even if you want to" message to. And no details whatsoever...
The question is what is the real alternatives? This one earnes the most still...

« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2019, 20:12 »
+1
received it too... but this part makes me confused :
"The clips selected to be a part of this new platform test have either never or rarely sold, are not new to the footage site and exclude any high resolution 4K clips."

all my footage are 4k...

« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2019, 20:13 »
0
I just got this as well.
Just when i thought $1.50 was a new low for sales it looks like SS has come up with a way of making it worse.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2019, 21:04 »
+12
I opted myself out by deleting all my footage. I feel fresh and clean and like I still have a tiny bit of self respect left.

« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2019, 21:47 »
+7
"new opportunity" - two of the most dreaded words in microstock. 

Anybody remember if a "new opportunity" has ever been good for contributors?  Wonder how low these will be - I'm assuming our take will be less than a dollar since they didn't mention a price.  Of course maybe they have found a way to make us lots of money off of our never sellers - here's to hoping but I won't be holding my breath.

« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2019, 23:35 »
+4
This sounds like "exciting news".

I would love to see a lot more details. For instance say this is for Facebook, does FB pay SS a heap of money to get access to this stuff and then the advertisers pay a very small price to get clips for FB ads. We get a 30% of this pittance. SS gets a heap in the deal, but it isn't for the license so we get nothing. I'm not saying this is what the deal is, since we have no idea.

« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2019, 02:02 »
+2
The wording is softening people up for some really low payouts. Surely the least they should do is tell people what platforms!

gillian vann

  • *Gillian*
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2019, 02:55 »
+2
Just got the email, came straight here to see if I was amongst good company, I see all our BS detectors are calibrated and working.

« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2019, 03:08 »
+2
Exciting news! :(

I guess this means hd footage is moving towards pennystock value and that 4k prices will start to drop down to current hd prices...

Time to look at 8k video?

dpimborough

« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2019, 04:26 »
+2
Usual shutterstock and microstock bollocks ~ same as it ever was >:(

dpimborough

« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2019, 04:27 »
+1
I opted myself out by deleting all my footage. I feel fresh and clean and like I still have a tiny bit of self respect left.

I haven't ~ I still feel dirty and sullied  :'(

« Reply #15 on: February 20, 2019, 07:41 »
+2
Sounds like GOOD NEWS!

What are you guys complaining about?!?!? :)

« Reply #16 on: February 20, 2019, 07:51 »
0
Sounds like GOOD NEWS!

What are you guys complaining about?!?!? :)

Even I am wondering why so much hatred?
They have never shared the royalty price and people are saying its pennystock. How?


« Reply #17 on: February 20, 2019, 07:52 »
+6
"new opportunity" is the new "exciting news"  ;D
Their marketing office did a hard work to find new words  ;D

« Reply #18 on: February 20, 2019, 10:47 »
+3
Hoovering my finger over the eject button. The day is comming closer and closer with this dreadful company.

« Reply #19 on: February 20, 2019, 11:15 »
+15
Even I am wondering why so much hatred?
They have never shared the royalty price and people are saying its pennystock. How?

They are only including footage sold rarely or not at all, plus they're excluding the 4K size. That makes it all but certain that the prices are lower than the regular prices posted on the site.

The use is limited and they stress that rights granted are fewer than via a regular license. That has to mean a lower price.

They had already started reducing royalties on videos and there is a track record of royalty reductions for photos & illustrations (many started shooting videos because of the drops in photo royalties)

All other - 100% - microstock programs like this where the teaser for the contributor was that reducing the price would result in more business by increasing volume have in practice resulted in lower incomes because existing customers end up paying less instead.

It is true that microstock itself did open up new buyers by offering imagery at prices small businesses could afford, but microstock prices are already very cheap and once that group of new buyers is found and their volume needs are met, you don't get them buying more by dropping prices. They don't produce more newsletters or more websites just because prices decreased a small amount.

The lack of an opt out is a sure sign they know it's a rubbish deal for contributors. When it's a good deal, everyone clamors to be included...

There is over a decade of "history" here in the microstock business. If you've only just started, the sour reactions may seem odd. Once you've been lied to repeatedly by multiple agencies, it just seems savvy.

« Reply #20 on: February 20, 2019, 11:19 »
+1
Even I am wondering why so much hatred?
They have never shared the royalty price and people are saying its pennystock. How?

They are only including footage sold rarely or not at all, plus they're excluding the 4K size. That makes it all but certain that the prices are lower than the regular prices posted on the site.

The use is limited and they stress that rights granted are fewer than via a regular license. That has to mean a lower price.

They had already started reducing royalties on videos and there is a track record of royalty reductions for photos & illustrations (many started shooting videos because of the drops in photo royalties)

All other - 100% - microstock programs like this where the teaser for the contributor was that reducing the price would result in more business by increasing volume have in practice resulted in lower incomes because existing customers end up paying less instead.

It is true that microstock itself did open up new buyers by offering imagery at prices small businesses could afford, but microstock prices are already very cheap and once that group of new buyers is found and their volume needs are met, you don't get them buying more by dropping prices. They don't produce more newsletters or more websites just because prices decreased a small amount.

The lack of an opt out is a sure sign they know it's a rubbish deal for contributors. When it's a good deal, everyone clamors to be included...

There is over a decade of "history" here in the microstock business. If you've only just started, the sour reactions may seem odd. Once you've been lied to repeatedly by multiple agencies, it just seems savvy.

"These customers will have a very limited license to use the footage clips; clips will be licensed for use on a single platform to produce short-form digital content."

Wonder if they're talking about streaming on a platform, it's clear we'll get only cents.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #21 on: February 20, 2019, 12:43 »
+9
The whole thing is disturbing, but what's really disturbing is the complete lack of detail about pricing, usage and royalty rate...it's all purposely vague. Not that it matters to me any more.

...and this comes on the heels of them introducing a new, higher-priced tier for a very few selected video producers who completely took over the search a few weeks ago...remember? Once you get investors involved it all goes to shite.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2019, 12:46 by Shelma1 »

« Reply #22 on: February 20, 2019, 12:47 »
+2
Just got the email, came straight here to see if I was amongst good company, I see all our BS detectors are calibrated and working.

hahaha I love your comment  ;D

« Reply #23 on: February 20, 2019, 13:07 »
0
The whole thing is disturbing, but what's really disturbing is the complete lack of detail about pricing, usage and royalty rate...it's all purposely vague. Not that it matters to me any more.

...and this comes on the heels of them introducing a new, higher-priced tier for a very few selected video producers who completely took over the search a few weeks ago...remember? Once you get investors involved it all goes to shite.

Yes, the 399 club. By the time I can justify a Phantom Flex 4K or even a Red there will be another "great opportunity" announcement for rarely sold 4K files.

dpimborough

« Reply #24 on: February 20, 2019, 13:48 »
+2
Sounds like GOOD NEWS!

What are you guys complaining about?!?!? :)

Because running on past history with ALL microstock agencies no change is ever made that EVER benefited the contributors.


dpimborough

« Reply #25 on: February 20, 2019, 13:54 »
+3
Sounds like GOOD NEWS!

What are you guys complaining about?!?!? :)

Even I am wondering why so much hatred?
They have never shared the royalty price and people are saying its pennystock. How?

You are confusing hatred with cynicism

But anyway in these happy clappy times I still hold on to the right to hate people, things and concepts freely and without restriction but most especially cynical corporations who butter up a "good bashing" as a "love in" :D 


georgep7

« Reply #26 on: February 20, 2019, 13:58 »
0
Offtopic: reading the SS stats in the other thread, how many milions, 90% non sold estimations etc. Well, deletion of non good or never sold assets guess is a no-way for companies, so they have to find other ways. Well, that was the best thing they could figure out. As far as I understand those deals are big news for companies and they probably talk milllions.

As a personal newbie comment with yet 0 zero sales, i "know", i see and compare my footage and understand that it is not brilliant, not even authentic. So the opportunity to get half the suggested price from a buyer willing to use it and in limited conditions, sounds for the time being a good option. I keep same pricing from SS / As and in Pond5, but I wonder: what is the difference if a made a " web" sale on P5 or one in SS under the emails conditions and e.g. half the pricing?

In time? I dunno, i hope to get better.
Forgive any possible pricing mistakes, still learning.
Eh, and I didn't ofcourse got that mail.

:) :P


« Reply #27 on: February 20, 2019, 14:08 »
0
I also got this email.

Anyone who does not belong to the selected few?

« Reply #28 on: February 20, 2019, 14:57 »
+1

« Reply #29 on: February 20, 2019, 15:10 »
+2
My thoughts on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxJnrHktl9g&t=2s

No concise summary to share with the forum?  I have no wish to watch anybody's utube channel or read someone's blog to find out their thoughts, that's why I come here.

« Reply #30 on: February 20, 2019, 15:32 »
+3
My thoughts on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxJnrHktl9g&t=2s

I skipped the bit where you read the letter, but unless I missed it there, you didn't appear to emphasize the importance of insisting on an opt out, ideally on a clip by clip basis, but at least on a contributor basis. That at least allows contributors to maintain control of participation without pulling videos as the only option.

SS's Q4 results get announced next week. I'm guessing they want to have a shiny new object to dangle in front of the analysts. Contacting an agency is great if they're small and responsive; once they get bigger, leverage is needed to drive change - where leverage is withholding uploads, opting out or removing content.

Negative publicity can also drive U turns if companies do things that end up embarrassing them, but it's not clear to me what part of this price cutting program could form a compelling "they're dumping on the little people" story.

« Reply #31 on: February 20, 2019, 16:20 »
0
My thoughts on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxJnrHktl9g&t=2s

I skipped the bit where you read the letter, but unless I missed it there, you didn't appear to emphasize the importance of insisting on an opt out, ideally on a clip by clip basis, but at least on a contributor basis. That at least allows contributors to maintain control of participation without pulling videos as the only option.

SS's Q4 results get announced next week. I'm guessing they want to have a shiny new object to dangle in front of the analysts. Contacting an agency is great if they're small and responsive; once they get bigger, leverage is needed to drive change - where leverage is withholding uploads, opting out or removing content.

Negative publicity can also drive U turns if companies do things that end up embarrassing them, but it's not clear to me what part of this price cutting program could form a compelling "they're dumping on the little people" story.

Opt outs are easy to provide.  They are the right thing to do.  Opt me OUT!

k_t_g

  • wheeeeeeeeee......
« Reply #32 on: February 20, 2019, 16:31 »
+1
I'm surprised I got one too last night. But I only have a few simple animated clips there and they haven't sold yet. The rest I have never bothered to upload because of ridiculous rejections to my property release. So I guess its just a fancy e-mail notification letting use know that they're monkeying around with the system again to squeeze every penny they can out of us.  :-\

« Reply #33 on: February 20, 2019, 19:52 »
+1
No worries you don't have to watch the video! Bottom line is this. SS is going the way of Getty in a lot of ways the only real way to survive in this market is to produce really high end content! They don't care if a few people pull their clips or complain some. Now in order to make a difference you have to have your voice heard! So if you are upset here then you need to contact them and give them your thoughts. The more people that do that the better.

KB

« Reply #34 on: February 21, 2019, 00:08 »
0
I also got this email.

Anyone who does not belong to the selected few?
Yeah, me.  ??? 

But based on NO one else having said they did not get one, I'm wondering if mine just got lost in the cloud. I certainly have many 100s of files there that would qualify as 'rarely or never sold'.

« Reply #35 on: February 21, 2019, 00:26 »
0
Also did not receive the email yet. Wonder if there is a way to check which video files are included in this pricing scheme? I am concerned that some of my files may be included without my knowledge.   

Chichikov

« Reply #36 on: February 21, 2019, 02:16 »
+1
What a so exciting new!!


« Reply #37 on: February 21, 2019, 03:05 »
+1
Sounds like GOOD NEWS!

What are you guys complaining about?!?!? :)

Even I am wondering why so much hatred?
They have never shared the royalty price and people are saying its pennystock. How?
If was high earning they would have said so....the complete lack of transparency would make anyone but the most trusting suspicious.

« Reply #38 on: February 21, 2019, 05:23 »
+5
"You have been SELECTED to participate"

Makes you feel all special and unique. I'm surprised they didn't use the word "hand-picked". If you're going to lull your contributors into a false sense of excitement, do it right!

I'm especially apalled at the lack of an opt-out. To me that screams 'we know nobody wants it, so we're force-feeding you'.

« Reply #39 on: February 21, 2019, 05:32 »
+1
"You have been SELECTED to participate"

Makes you feel all special and unique. I'm surprised they didn't use the word "hand-picked". If you're going to lull your contributors into a false sense of excitement, do it right!

I'm especially apalled at the lack of an opt-out. To me that screams 'we know nobody wants it, so we're force-feeding you'.
Do other countries have the readers digest "prize draw"

« Reply #40 on: February 21, 2019, 08:11 »
0
I think it's good news if they take the clips that never sold or rarely. On the other hand it is rather disturbing on the future of the price of sale of video files 4k

jonbull

    This user is banned.
« Reply #41 on: February 21, 2019, 09:31 »
0
Since i received the mail my sales of images really tanked to a minimunmaybe this is the great news?

« Reply #42 on: February 21, 2019, 11:10 »
+1
No worries you don't have to watch the video! Bottom line is this. SS is going the way of Getty in a lot of ways the only real way to survive in this market is to produce really high end content! They don't care if a few people pull their clips or complain some. Now in order to make a difference you have to have your voice heard! So if you are upset here then you need to contact them and give them your thoughts. The more people that do that the better.
Do you really think that SS will select footage by quality or number of sales? I don't think they will waste time doing that, they will offer everything HD and bellow to this new market as they did with the $1.5 sales.

Besides, there are many HQ videos that didn't sell on SS but do very well on other agencies.

Buyers will buy what they need, regardless of quality, just like with images.

This will kill the video market for contributors.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2019, 11:16 by Dodie »

« Reply #43 on: February 21, 2019, 12:08 »
+1
I also got this email.

Anyone who does not belong to the selected few?

I did not get the email. I have about 700 video files on SS.

I am against this move because any program that reduces the value of our product is a bad idea. For long-term sustainability it's better to have fewer sales at a good price than more sales at a steadily dropping rate.

When clips don't sell, contributors can learn from that and make better or more relevant content. But when some clips are sold at a lower price than others of the same resolution, it creates the very dangerous precedent that really all clips can/should be sold for less. Competitors are forced to respond by dropping prices, and it becomes a race to the bottom. SS is trying to dance around that by offering lower priced clips only on certain PLATFORMS. But that still opens the Pandora's box of conditioning people to think prices should come down (not to mention technological risks like how Wix buyers were able to download SS clips by simply right-clicking!)

This shows the fundamental conflict between SS and contributors. Contributors want DOLLARS PER UNIT. We don't want to have to create 100,000 clips to earn a living. SS wants dollars period, and it has such a glut of content it is quite willing to sell much of it cheaply. Our only recourse is to push back by contacting SS and telling them we're against this because lowering prices in any avenue invites a race to the bottom in which contributors are hurt far more than the stock agencies.

« Reply #44 on: February 22, 2019, 11:00 »
0
Anyone knows the official Shutterstock's support email address?

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #45 on: February 22, 2019, 12:22 »
0
Anyone knows the official Shutterstock's support email address?

What you didn't get the email? Check your spam folder, I'm guessing the only people who didn't get it, just haven't seen it.  ;D

While our site functionality does not support the ability to opt-out of this limited license program, we believe this is an opportunity to bring you incremental new earnings. Please visit https://submit.shutterstock.com/contact if you require additional support.

There is also [email protected]

Social Support

    @shutterstock   Twitter

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Shutterstock

Good Luck

« Reply #46 on: February 22, 2019, 14:05 »
0
I also got this email.

Anyone who does not belong to the selected few?
I haven't received anything but I have never made a video sale in SS


« Reply #47 on: February 22, 2019, 14:38 »
0
I also got this email.

Anyone who does not belong to the selected few?
I haven't received anything but I have never made a video sale in SS


Same here, didnt get the email, dont sell video.

« Reply #48 on: February 22, 2019, 16:35 »
+1
Anyone knows the official Shutterstock's support email address?

What you didn't get the email? Check your spam folder, I'm guessing the only people who didn't get it, just haven't seen it.  ;D

While our site functionality does not support the ability to opt-out of this limited license program, we believe this is an opportunity to bring you incremental new earnings. Please visit https://submit.shutterstock.com/contact if you require additional support.

There is also [email protected]

Social Support

    @shutterstock   Twitter

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Shutterstock

Good Luck


You're right, I missed that. Because I stopped reading at 'a new opportunity'...

« Reply #49 on: February 22, 2019, 19:04 »
0
Is it possible that only people with over 1000 clips are selected?

Just a guess.

« Reply #50 on: February 22, 2019, 20:01 »
0
No, I got the e-mail and I have way fewer than 1000 (clips, that is).

« Reply #51 on: February 22, 2019, 22:20 »
0
6000 clips, no email received.

KB

« Reply #52 on: February 22, 2019, 23:37 »
0
.

« Reply #53 on: February 23, 2019, 00:49 »
0
I have about 40-50 videos, 18 video sales, received email.

dpimborough

« Reply #54 on: February 23, 2019, 01:49 »
0
Is it possible that only people with over 1000 clips are selected?

Just a guess.

No I've only got around 30 video clips

« Reply #55 on: February 24, 2019, 10:17 »
0
I was wondering, do they also include downscaled HD from original 4K clips? Or does it have to be uploaded as HD to be eligible?


 

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