News

SAA Launches MetaSurvey

Do our digital images have embedded metadata? SAA is conducting a MetaSurvey to find out. SAA's PhotoMetadata Project is now underway with this comprehensive survey of metadata practices by photographers and stock image distributors. This is the first step in a yearlong project in partnership with the Library of Congress to raise awareness and promote use of standardized, embedded metadata in all digital image files.

SAA Speaks Up About Orphan Works

Orphan Works is back. On April 24, new draft versions of the Orphan Works Act of 2008 were introduced by both Houses of the U.S. Congress. SAA has just published extensive commentary, and urges Congress to amend the bills.

Features

SAA provides expanded coverage on these key topics.

Current featured topics include:

Orphan Works 2008
Orphan Works is back. In April 2008, new versions of the Orphan Works Act of 2008 were introduced by both Houses of U.S. Congress. Read SAA's commentary and updates. ...more
SAA PhotoMetadata Project
If you create, distribute or use digital images, you need metadata. SAA was awarded a Partnership by the U.S. Library of Congress to investigate current metadata practices, to educate, and to promote the need for standards, consistent use and preservastion of photo metadata in all digital images. ...more

PLUS Packs™ and SAA's Calculator

PLUS Packs™ are a new universal standard for a streamlined and simplified form of Rights Managed licensing. SAA's open source Calculator brings PLUS Packs™ to life, enabling selection and pricing of a Pack with just a few clicks, all on one screen. ...more

The Stock Asylum

SAA members have access to a five year archive of incisive industry reporting and analysis from The Stock Asylum, a respected industry newsletter that recently ceased publication and donated its archives to SAA. Selected articles are available as an open resource to registered users. ...more

Register now to access SAA open resources

After Months of Pressure, Photolibrary Promises to Pay Index Stock Debts

Photolibrary is at last moving to contact, report and pay their Index contributors years of outstanding debts the company assumed when it purchased Index Stock in 2006. Supported by a coalition of fellow artist associations, SAA has been pressing the company for payment of previously unacknowledged debts and full acountability about its accounting practices.

Photographers Groups Call on Photolibrary to Answer Questions About Index Stock Payments

SAA, now joined by leading North American photographer associations ASMP, APA, EP and CAPIC, continues to call on Photolibrary to answer serious allegations the company has not paid $2.2 million in commissions due Index Stock contributors.

SAA Seeks Accountability from Photolibrary on Obligations to Index Stock Contributors

SAA investigates allegations about Photolibrary's Index Stock reporting and payments to contributors.

SAA represents Artists Groups in Dialog with Getty Images

Two weeks after Getty Images announced their $49 web-use license product, a growing coalition of artists groups led SAA has called for the company to remove all Rights Managed imagery from the scheme. SAA made clear that the announcement of a term reduction to three months was a positive move, but falls short of addressing the serious concerns that the group has raised.

Leading Photographer Groups Call on Getty Images to Remove RM Collections from new $49 License

Last week, Getty Images announced a new $49 “web use” license for images from all of its collections, including its highest quality Rights Managed collections. This move effectively slashes the value of commercial web use licenses by up to 96% off their established rates. SAA was joined by leading trade associations representing over 12,000 artists calling for the removal of all RM imagery from this product

SAA Receives Award from Library of Congress to Promote Photo Metadata Use and Preservation

Acknowledging SAA's leadership in promoting metadata use, the U.S. Library of Congress has awarded SAA the SAA one of eight partnerships for preserving digital media under the Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP). SAA is tasked with developing a program of metadata education, with online resources and a multi-city seminar series.

Free PLUS Packs Calculator Released by SAA

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 licensing. SAA's Calculator streamlines the first step of the licensing process- selection of a PLUS Pack on one screen, with just a few clicks.