New Type of Sales on Shutterstock

The popular stock photo agency Shutterstock, like other stock agencies, is in constant development. Recently, it decided to please its contributors again by sending them emails about upcoming updates.

Since the email was in English and some contributors might have difficulties understanding the content, I made a general translation of the email:

Dear Esteemed Contributors,

We are excited to inform you about innovations that will allow increase your sales on the stock photo agency. We have updated the terms of the “Contributor Agreement” (CA), introducing new types of image sales with payments up to $75 per sale (download).

Shutterstock is used by both small and quite large buyers. In addition to our usual standard and extended licenses, we have added a custom license for such large buyers (for example, big advertising agencies).

These buyers require more rights and opportunities in using images than they can get by purchasing images under standard or extended licenses.

Such opportunities can be expressed in “sensitive use.” An example of “sensitive use” is the advertising of pharmaceuticals or political advertising. Many stock agencies, including our direct competitors, have already added by default in their licenses a clause allowing “sensitive use.”

Unlike such stock agencies, Shutterstock gives its contributors the right to choose. We want you to make the decision yourself whether to participate in such sales.

We will make changes regarding “sensitive use” in the CA to allow our large buyers to use images for such “sensitive subjects” with the following restrictions: the buyer must indicate that there is no model in the image and it is used solely for illustrative purposes.

However, our policy remains firm regarding the use of images for advertising tobacco products, pornography, advertisements, and promotional materials for adult clubs or similar establishments, and for services providing escort, dating, and similar services.

If you decide to participate in sales with this option, you will have the opportunity to receive much larger royalties from buyers representing the top advertising agencies in the world.

“Sensitive use” will be a small addition in the license, allowing to attract large buyers, but your consent gives you full access to all possible sales that the buyer will make.

To learn more about the new type of sales, please visit the FAQ page.

If you do not wish to participate in these sales, please visit your page to change the settings by March 1.

If you have any additional questions, please write to us at submit@shutterstock.com.

Sincerely, Shutterstock Team

By the way, the request for your consent appears when you log into your account in a pop-up form. As for me, I see nothing wrong in giving consent for such sales.

Although, maybe there are some hidden pitfalls, what do you think?