Author Topic: DACS at iStock (Read 2948 times)

sgoodwin4813 · « **on:** February 04, 2024, 18:17 »

I was looking through my December iStock statement and noticed a payment from DACS, of which iStock took 85%. I always claim DACS directly and certainly don't want an agency taking 85%. I haven't noticed this in the past but probably wasn't paying attention. Does anybody know what this is about? Does it affect our regular DACS payback? Really don't want them taking 85% if I can claim it directly, although if it is in addition to the regular payback then I guess something is better than nothing. If anybody knows more about this please let me know.

ShadySue · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2024, 19:53 »

They've been doiing it for a few years: there's a clause in our contract which can be interpreted to let them do it without an opt-out, though like so much in the contract - which is very wide in their favour - very narrow in ours, I for one didn't foresee this.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2024, 15:40 »

Quote from: ShadySue on February 04, 2024, 19:53

They've been doiing it for a few years: there's a clause in our contract which can be interpreted to let them do it without an opt-out, though like so much in the contract - which is very wide in their favour - very narrow in ours, I for one didn't foresee this.

Only Exclusives? I get my DACS claimed through Alamy. They would be double dipping? I don't know, but it seems odd and confusing.

pancaketom · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2024, 18:01 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 05, 2024, 15:40

Quote from: ShadySue on February 04, 2024, 19:53
They've been doiing it for a few years: there's a clause in our contract which can be interpreted to let them do it without an opt-out, though like so much in the contract - which is very wide in their favour - very narrow in ours, I for one didn't foresee this.

Only Exclusives? I get my DACS claimed through Alamy. They would be double dipping? I don't know, but it seems odd and confusing.

I'd certainly rather get 40% than 15% of my DACS

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2024, 12:43 »

Quote from: pancaketom on February 05, 2024, 18:01

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 05, 2024, 15:40
Quote from: ShadySue on February 04, 2024, 19:53
They've been doiing it for a few years: there's a clause in our contract which can be interpreted to let them do it without an opt-out, though like so much in the contract - which is very wide in their favour - very narrow in ours, I for one didn't foresee this.

Only Exclusives? I get my DACS claimed through Alamy. They would be double dipping? I don't know, but it seems odd and confusing.

I'd certainly rather get 40% than 15% of my DACS

I don't see DACS on iStock, I guess that's the point. The other is obvious and I'd agree. 40% is much better than 15%. Since the new system at Alamy and I didn't make the $250 minimum for Gold level, I wonder if they will give me 20% of my DACS payment and grab the rest.

But the question is, how can IS claim DACS if I'm already getting it from Alamy? I'd claim my own, but last time I did, the bank transfer fee was nearly more than I got, so useless to bother.

I don't see how any agency has a right to charge us commission on our own money, just for processing the claim.

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2024, 21:35 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 06, 2024, 12:43

I don't see how any agency has a right to charge us commission on our own money, just for processing the claim.

Exactly! The payback isn't from additional sales but something meant to go directly to the artist. For iStock to take most of it seems wrong - it's like the owner of a restaurant stealing their employee's tips.

I also got a payback directly from DACS which was more than the iStock gross amount - it is all very confusing.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2024, 13:57 »

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on February 06, 2024, 21:35

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 06, 2024, 12:43
I don't see how any agency has a right to charge us commission on our own money, just for processing the claim.

Exactly! The payback isn't from additional sales but something meant to go directly to the artist. For iStock to take most of it seems wrong - it's like the owner of a restaurant stealing their employee's tips.

I also got a payback directly from DACS which was more than the iStock gross amount - it is all very confusing.

It's more like that than just the concept. It's also taking an earnings transaction and skimming 85% off the top, just for transferring it to us?

There's something very wrong if IS is in fact taking 85% of some outside earnings, not the sales commissions, that they pay us 15% and do the licensing.

ShadySue · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2024, 19:24 »

I took this up directly with DACS as I file my own, but didn't hear back.

Although I file my own, I'm aware that Alamy is likely to be able to find more than I can, and I wonder, but don't know, if because Alamy does a bulk return, they probably get into a much higher band than I reach on my own, so maybe 40% of what they could get is better than 100% of what I've found. (?)

But whereas I'm RM on Alamy, so it would be relatively easy to find the book sales, and maybe they even require the buyers to provide them with that info I'm curious as to how iS finds the books etc. that our RF files might end up in. That would be a full time job for several staff.