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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
WOW: Getty loses NFL License?
Brad Mangin, Photographer
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Pleasanton | CA | USA | Posted: 4:58 PM on 04.04.09 |
->> Hello everyone. I just saw a very intriguing post on the "Thoughts of a Bohemian: Another Photo Industry blog" today:
"In a surprising move, we just heard that the NFL has apparently canceled the deal they had sign with Getty Images back in 2004. This is a big blow for the Mega agency who could lose millions of dollars in annual revenues. It is not clear who has picked up the deal, but rumors tend to confirmed it might be Associated Press."
Read the full post here:
Ouch!!
http://blog.melchersystem.com/2009/04/02/ouch/
If this is true this move will have a HUGE impact on freelance photographers all over. This will drastically hurt all Getty contributors who own their copyright and make commercial sales off of their NFL images. Now they will only be able to make editorial cash- which pales in comparison.
Also- if this is true and AP Images is the winner here (they are making a strong push and got the NCAA recently:
http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/content_display/esearch/e3ie7ae6a91eebf611f272...) this will be another nail in the coffin for the AP freelancers who signed the AP contract as the AP will now be able to really take advantage of their freelancers by making huge piles of cash on their images commercially- and the freelancers make next to nothing.
This will be very interesting to follow. If this is true- and I think it is- there will be tons of reaction to this story- and implications felt all over. |
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Mike Janes, Photographer
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Attica | NY | USA | Posted: 5:32 PM on 04.04.09 |
| ->> WOW is right...didn't see that coming |
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Michael Proebsting, Photographer
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Barrington | IL | USA | Posted: 5:56 PM on 04.04.09 |
->> The rumor I heard from a reliable source is that in fact it is the AP who is the major contender, with some sort of arrangement with AP basically running a "editorial" division, and a "commercial" division.
Other "players" if that's what you want to call them can't pony up for the front money the NFL requires. |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 6:05 PM on 04.04.09 |
| ->> Another reason NOT to sign the contract with AP. I would encourage those who did sign the contract not to renew them (I believe they renew automatically every year unless they hear from you in writing). |
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Dave Einsel, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Houston | TX | United States | Posted: 6:28 PM on 04.04.09 |
->> When the NCAA made their deal with AP Images I suspected it was only the first in a line of deals to be made. This would be a huge second step.
My main concern is still that the AP is the largest news organization in the world and now they are in business with another large organization which they cover.
Conflict of interest? The devil will be in the details.
Some great people are staffers for Getty Sports. How will they be affected. Will AP photographers have to start shooting pictures of players' shoes, Gatorade bottles or any other thing that might have commercial sales potential? Will the report be adversely affected? I don't know but the winds are certainly changing and it's not for Mary Poppins. |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 8:05 PM on 04.04.09 |
| ->> Now, what will the NBA do with Getty... |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 11:51 PM on 04.04.09 |
| ->> Just wondering how many recent hires or freelancers in the last few years actaully own any rights to there photos at Getty or AP ? Except for people who are very well established has anyone in the last bunch of years been able to keep working for Getty or Ap and own there rights to there photos? |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 12:08 AM on 04.05.09 |
| ->> David - I believe AP operates like most newspapers, in that they claim sole copyright to the photographs produced by AP staff photographers. In terms of freelancers, well, there's a reason I won't sign their freelance contract, because it claims the same. |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 12:16 AM on 04.05.09 |
->> Brad,
Do you know of any Getty shooters who retain their copyrights?
--Mark |
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Brad Mangin, Photographer
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Pleasanton | CA | USA | Posted: 1:25 AM on 04.05.09 |
->> Mark- If you look at the Getty site there are many shooters (non-staffers of course) who are listed as "contributors" which means they own their copyright.
Many of the terrific shooters who came over from NFL Properties in recent years license their images through Getty and keep their copyright. Many of these shooters have done very well over the years making commercial sales through Getty. These shooters will not be able to sell commercial anymore. They will only be able to make editorial money now- which is not nearly as much.
Getty has MANY contributors on their site- for all sports- who retain their copyright. |
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Clark Brooks, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 10:39 AM on 04.05.09 |
| ->> Guess that would mean NBA and MLS are next? |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 11:48 AM on 04.05.09 |
->> Mark - Not sure about Getty staffers, but as Brad M. said, there are several freelancers (contributors) who have rights-managed representation with Getty. A good friend of mine and talented shooter is one of them:
www.davidstubbs.com
Most of David's work is self-assigned, but he does shoot some Getty-assigned projects as well, and yes, he retains the copyright.
We all know what AP's freelance contract states about who retains the copyright to images produced by freelancers, and it's pathetic to say the least. |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 6:15 PM on 04.05.09 |
| ->> David Stubbs is doing unique work. Can a guy with no nfl propertiues legacy get into Getty and retain copyright shooting big time sports. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 9:53 PM on 04.05.09 |
->> Does anyone remember when the Associated Press was a co-operative organization that let its members share the stories and photos that each produced in order to benefit all of its "members".
Or is that so "Last Century"? |
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Samuel Lewis, Photographer
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Miami | FL | USA | Posted: 9:55 PM on 04.06.09 |
| ->> C'mon Jim...that's so eighties... |
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Thomas E. Witte, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Cincinnati | OH | USA | Posted: 5:27 PM on 04.07.09 |
->> Mark- There are several of us with Getty who retain rights to our images; ie, the core group of NFL contributors. For our efforts we're rewarded handsomely with royalties on all licenses, both editorial and commercial - which is where the real money is. Everyone strives to get a Leading Off in SI which is good for $2000 (which is in the 95th percentile and as we all know is tremendously difficult to get) or $1000 after your 50% editorial split. That's chump change compared to commercial sales.
Sure there those $1.32 commercial splits which have been discussed on the boards, but there are also $13,200 splits, or 52.8 AP day rates. The difference is the contributor keeps the money while the stringer gets to keep their $250 - for ALL the images of that game.
_IF_ the AP keeps everything running as they have, then everyone who signed the AP agreement should be feeling their stomach doing flips right now. You're going to be asked completely change your style of shooting and dramatically increasing your work responsibilities while continuing to forfeit a dramatic increase in potential income.
I have much more commentary but I'll reserve those comments until we hear the details of the new agreement. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 5:34 PM on 04.07.09 |
->> One more nail in the coffin; I believe it will eventually be just the AP and the occasional SI shooter ( or some other major publication - if there are any left) on the sideline, or something close to it.
I talked to the AP a while back, no problem getting signed up with them, but I couldn't do it; the agreement makes me gag.
Good luck to all you Getty shooters with the AP.
M |
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Brad Mangin, Photographer
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Pleasanton | CA | USA | Posted: 6:29 PM on 04.15.09 |
->> Looks like it is now official:
"We are pleased to report that the NFL has entered into an exclusive new commercial licensing agreement with The Associated Press for all NFL photos. Beginning this month and continuing through at least the 2011 season, AP will provide the services previously handled by Getty Images."
Read it all here:
http://photobusinessforum.blogspot.com/2009/04/associated-press-and-nfl.htm... |
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