Author Topic: Free photos locked in for 5 years at Fotolia (Read 24824 times)

rene · « **on:** December 14, 2009, 07:07 »

Another change without any notice given to us.
"These files have had no sales on Fotolia over the past 24 months.
You have the possibility to add them to the Fotolia free files API and earn 0.5 credits by doing so.
Your files will then remain in that section for a period of 5 years and will be available for downloads through the Fotolia free files API."
Free section has increased from 18 to 60 months!
I start to hate this kind of silent changes. Fotolia and Dreamstime are champions in this.

gostwyck · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2009, 07:15 »

Ouch! Thanks for pointing that out.

leaf · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2009, 08:16 »

In case you haven't seen it on twitter yet. Microstock Experiment just 'happened' to spot that the free files on fotolia are now for 5 years, instead of the previous 18 months.

I don't have any free files with them, so it doesn't really make a difference for me, but for those who ARE tempted, they should really know the consequences. 5 years is a long time, especially if you are ever wanting to go exclusive anywhere.

edit:.. sorry .. I guess I am a little late to the party

I merged our two threads.

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2009, 08:28 »

Thanks to Rene for pointing that first, I just forwarded it on Twitter.

For info in an mail from FT dated from the 1st of december the 18 months was still there.....

Hello,

One or more of your files have not been sold during the last 24 months.

We suggest you to offer those files on the new Fotolia website for free contents. This should improve your files visibility and you will receive 0.5 credit on your Fotolia account for each file offered for free via the Fotolia API. Of course, those files remain also on the Fotolia website and may be sold at any time. By offering your files in this free section, you acknowledge and agree that your files have to stay at least 18 months in this section. Through this new website, customers can download and use images for free (in the same terms as in the Fotolia contracts). If you want to associate your unsold files to the free section please update your files status here : http://en.fotolia.com/Member/Contents/UnsoldFiles

Kind Regards,

Fotolia Team

fullvalue · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2009, 08:34 »

Somebody mentioned in another thread that you can still delete the files. They just deduct the .5 back out of your account. Of course I'd verify that before I did anything.

Opla · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2009, 08:52 »

I did, and it worked for me with the 18 months lock.
I'm not going to test it now though

Freedom · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2009, 09:27 »

Opla, I cannot find where you can uncheck the free images for -0.50. Will you point out the specific page? Thank you.

It looks like the agencies can change the terms of agreement whenever and however they like. We should do something about it.

fullvalue · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2009, 09:47 »

Checking = deleting.

Opla · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2009, 09:48 »

If I remember correcly:
On the unsold files page, check the donated pics.
Then the "add to free section" list drops down and you can select "remove from free section".

Freedom · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2009, 09:56 »

I just looked again, there is no drop down menu at "add to free section" both at the middle and bottom of the page. If someone else finds the feature, please post. Thanks.

Opla · « **Reply #10 on:** December 14, 2009, 10:15 »

On the right hand side, next to save.
You'll only see the "remove from.." option when you ticked a free section file.
If not, they changed it and I got lucky.

Freedom · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2009, 10:27 »

They must have changed it. There is only one choice "add to free section" before "save". There is no second choice. When did you change yours?

Unfortunately Fotolia does not seem to understand why contributors want to leave them, and it works very hard to give people reasons to leave.

Opla · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2009, 10:32 »

The "add to free section" choice is a drop-down list. Click on the arrow beside it.
I took mine out november 25th.

Freedom · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2009, 10:55 »

There is nothing to drop down anymore.

Opla · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2009, 11:15 »

That's strange, I still can see the drop down list.
Just one item, but still a drop down list.

lisafx · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2009, 12:01 »

Anyone know if this change applies to images already in the free section? I added some months ago when the option first appeared. Haven't added any in awhile though.

Carla · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2009, 12:20 »

Sure as hell I will never give them a free photo again!

Freedom · « **Reply #17 on:** December 14, 2009, 13:04 »

Opla, from what you said, I take it that the donated images were on the "Unsold" page, you therefore had an option, from the drop-down menu, to "remove". The free images are no longer in that "unsold" page. There is only one choice in the previous "drop down" menu, that is, "add". You cannot remove anything anymore because there is nothing to remove. If anyone has successfully removed the images now, please post how.

Lisa, it's illegal if Fotolia makes previously donated images from 18 months to 5 years in the free section without our subsequent consent. But they got away with the canister thing, and Istock is following their example. The contributors are just a helpless bunch of victims, and you cannot even get out of it.

Opla · « **Reply #18 on:** December 14, 2009, 13:49 »

Quote from: Freedom on December 14, 2009, 13:04

Opla, from what you said, I take it that the donated images were on the "Unsold" page, you therefore had an option, from the drop-down menu, to "remove". The free images are no longer in that "unsold" page. There is only one choice in the previous "drop down" menu, that is, "add". You cannot remove anything anymore because there is nothing to remove. If anyone has successfully removed the images now, please post how.

So where are your donated images now?

RacePhoto · « **Reply #19 on:** December 14, 2009, 17:14 »

Sad to watch the back and forth, knowing that just about everyone here is a photographer, should know how to do a screen capture and recognizes ImageShack for free hosting!

Drop down or not, (maybe depending on your computer browser?) this is what's there right now.

Opla · « **Reply #20 on:** December 14, 2009, 18:01 »

I'll take a picture of my screen next time I donate an image.
I'm sorry you're sad.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #21 on:** December 14, 2009, 18:10 »

Quote from: Opla on December 14, 2009, 18:01

I'll take a picture of my screen next time I donate an image.
I'm sorry you're sad.

No it's that. You were going back and forth with , yes it is, no it isn't, there's a drop down, no there's not...

Just post a picture of the page.

ps Yes, there is if you click the "added to free section" and there are images. Just like you said.

Randy McKown · « **Reply #22 on:** December 14, 2009, 21:34 »

5 days or 5 years .. this shouldn't even be a discussion .. give your pictures away for free and you are not going to make more sales .. only encourage the social/business acceptance of free stock photos in the industry ... this is a business people .. don't screw it up for serious photographers because you just think it's a fun hobby .. go start a personal blog and give your stuff away for free there.

Sadly, the fact that the agencies are even promoting this type of activity screams out two possible scenarios .. A) our educational system is failing to the point that a business degree doesn't go beyond basic customer service techniques like asking "Would you like that bagged in plastic or paper?"
B) They are not looking at long-term projections and asking where will our company be 20 years down the road? Because they don't plan on being there in 20 years.

Sigh

studioportosabbia · « **Reply #23 on:** December 15, 2009, 17:45 »

No way that I'm going to give them anything for free! The only site that works fine with free files is 123rf, you donate them for 24 hours which I think is a great promotion tool!

RT · « **Reply #24 on:** December 15, 2009, 17:51 »

Quote from: xposurepro on December 14, 2009, 21:34

5 days or 5 years .. this shouldn't even be a discussion .. give your pictures away for free and you are not going to make more sales .. only encourage the social/business acceptance of free stock photos in the industry ... this is a business people .. don't screw it up for serious photographers because you just think it's a fun hobby .. go start a personal blog and give your stuff away for free there.

Well said

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Author Topic: Free photos locked in for 5 years at Fotolia (Read 24824 times)

rene

gostwyck

leaf

MicrostockExp

fullvalue

Opla

Freedom

fullvalue

Opla

Freedom

Opla

Freedom

Opla

Freedom

Opla

lisafx

Carla

Freedom

Opla

RacePhoto

Opla

RacePhoto

Randy McKown

studioportosabbia

RT

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