Free PLUS Packs™Calculator Released by Stock Artists Alliance
SAA supports new universal standard for simplified, flexible, and easily automated RM licensing
May 30, 2007. SAA today announces the release of the SAA PLUS Packs™Calculator. This free open-source software tool was designed to spur adoption of PLUS Packs™ - a new universal standard that offers an evolved form of Rights Managed (RM) licensing. SAA's Calculator streamlines the first step of the licensing process- selection of a PLUS Packs™ - on one screen, with just a few clicks. The Calculator is now available for download on the SAA site.
As a streamlined, flexible and easily automated approach to RM, PLUS Packs™ benefit everyone involved in image licensing. Stock image users will benefit from an easy-to-use and time saving process of RM pricing and licensing which will aid them in budgeting and planning projects. They will also have more confidence in working with licensors of all sizes through a universal standard. In turn, RM stock distributors, archives and artists will gain greater exposure and opportunities for their RM imagery among customers who may have otherwise opted for simplified licensing models.
PLUS Packs™ offer a solution to a challenge faced by RM licensors today: How can they reclaim business lost to RF? Industry surveys and reports affirm that stock image users value the quality and diversity of RM collections, yet often cite the "hassle factor"-both real and perceived-as a reason why they might choose RF images instead.
PLUS Packs™ and other elements of the PLUS system are evolving, standardizing, and simplifying the license process to greatly reduce that "hassle factor" while also maintaining the inherent value of an RM licensing system. For image users now accustomed to the easy online process and broad flexible terms of RF, PLUS Packs™ now offers an RM alternative. This new alternative meets these demands by offering broad-use RM packages within an easily automated licensing process.
Betsy Reid, SAA's Executive Director observes, "There has been a call for innovation for many years by those involved in RM licensing. With rising new media use and the growth of simplified models, the need is now urgent to evolve RM if it is to remain relevant and responsive to the changing needs of image users. PLUS Packs™ provide the solution." Adds Reid, "we hope that by SAA making this Calculator freely available, we can spur adoption, especially among smaller and specialist archives, portals and independent photographers who have so much to gain by making RM licensing a more attractive option to more customers."
The SAA PLUS Packs™Calculator can be easily adopted by licensors of all sizes-from stock image distributors and portals to photographers licensing images directly to their clients. Based on the licensor's own pricing data, the Calculator offers an easy interface in which users can select and price a Pack on one screen, and with just a few clicks. The transaction is then completed using any number of methods. High volume stock distributors can integrate versions of the Calculator design in their existing ecommerce systems, while other licensors may elect to follow up with an email exchange or web-based forms and use an online payment service.
Learn more about the SAA PLUS Packs™Calculator and download the software, Introductory Guide and Manual ...more
