Earlier this week, six leading photo trade associations sent a joint letter to Getty Images CEO Jonathan Klein objecting to the drastic price cuts and calling for the company to remove all Rights Managed (including Rights Ready) imagery from their new $49 "web use" license product.
Since then, more artists' associations have been adding their voices to a growing international coalition now representing the interests of over 35,000 commercial and editorial photographers and filmmakers, photojournalists, illustrators and digital artists worldwide.
Stock Artists Alliance (SAA)
American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)
Association of Photographers (AOP)
Advertising Photographers of America (APA)
Editorial Photographers (EP)
Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications (CAPIC)
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
Illustrators' Partnership of America (IPA)
Association of Swedish Professional Photographers (SFF)
International Association of Architectural Photographers (IAAP)
Australian Commercial and Media Photographers (ACMP)
Advertising & Illustrative Photographers Association of New Zealand (AIPA)
Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP)
Professional Photographers of Southern Africa (PPSA)
The joint association letter sent to Getty Images' CEO states: "As the market leader, Getty's actions affect the entire industry. We therefore expect that your action of devaluing digital usage risks the long-term earning potential from image licensing." The letter identified five anticipated consequences: the loss of high-value digital license revenue, devaluation of RM licensing, erosion of prices across the board, reduced return for photographers, and reduced recovery value for images."
In closing, the letter states: "We are eager to work with Getty Images and other leaders in the industry to find ways to evolve image licensing that address the changing needs of new media customers, and which leverage the distinctive value associated with Rights Managed imagery in a changing marketplace."
Contacts:
Betsy Reid, SAA Executive Director 305-733-2737
Roy Hsu, SAA President 917-363-5292
About SAA
The Stock Artists Alliance (SAA) is the only trade association dedicated to the business interests of professional stock photographers, supporting its global membership with substantial information resources and ongoing advocacy initiatives. www.stockartistsalliance.org
About ASMP
The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) is the premier trade association representing the interests of publication photographers for over 60 years. www.asmp.org
About AOP
The Association of Photographers (AOP) is a UK based professional trade association with in excess of 1800 members working in the fields of fashion, advertising, editorial and design. Established in 1968, the AOP brings professional photographers together, protecting their rights and promoting photography. www.the-aop.org/
About APA
The Advertising Photographers of America (APA), the leading trade association representing the interests of advertising photographers, works to improve the environment for success in the industry and champions the rights of photographers worldwide. www.apanational.com
About EP
Editorial Photographers (EP) is an organization of 2,000 of the top magazine and news photographers from around the world dedicated to improving business practices and contracts. www.editorialphoto.com
About CAPIC
The Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications (CAPIC) was founded in 1978 to safeguard the rights of photographers and illustrators and digital artists working in the Canadian communications industry. www.capic.org
About NPPA
The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) is dedicated to the advancement of photojournalism, its creation, editing and distribution, in all news media. Our 10,000 members include still and television photographers, editors, students and representatives of businesses that serve the photojournalism industry. www.nppa.org
About IPA
The Illustrators' Partnership of America (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the intellectual property rights of its members and creating a mechanism to professionally administer collective management of individual illustrators' rights. www.illustratorspartnership.org
About SFF
Founded in 1895, The Association of Swedish Professional Photographers (SFF) is Sweden's oldest and largest organization for professional photographers with over 2,200 members working in the areas of advertising, news, fashion, portrait, art, industry and nature photography. SFF's main task is to improve and develop photographers' working conditions. www.sfoto.se
About IAAP
The International Association of Architectural Photographers (IAAP) is a trusted forum that brings together architectural photographers worldwide, as well connects buyers to the most talented architectural photographers for their projects. www.iapp.co.uk www.iapp.us
About ACMP
Australian Commercial and Media Photographers (ACMP), established in 1991, acts as a united voice for Australian professional working photographers. www.acmp.com.au
About AIPA
The Advertising and Illustrative Photographers Association of New Zealand (AIPA) was founded in 1978 to promote more communication and higher standards in commercial photography, with a focus on copyright issues and education. www.aipa.org.nz
About BFP
Founded in 1965, the Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP) provides market information, advice and support to around 6,000 freelance photographer members. BFP members are primarily involved in supplying images to the UK publishing industry and to stock libraries. www.thebfp.com
About PPSA
The Professional Photographers of Southern Africa (PPSA) is only national institute for professional photographers in Southern Africa.
