Has anyone thought of publishing a list of those who support Getty?

[phxsunbum]

I've done web work for a long time and have learned that the web can be a powerful force when properly leveraged.

I'd like to solicit your input about an idea I'm kicking around:

I'm thinking of building a web site that would summarize the GI Extortion letter, then including a list of all the photographers and companies who Getty claims to be representing when sending out their letter.  This would bring some attention to those who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, are supporting Getty's extortion practices by licensing their rights to Getty.  Enough bad press around the artist and the whole Getty scam may cause some to cancel their contracts with Getty in an effort to distance themselves from this fiasco.  Adding companies who purchase from Getty (e.g. CBS News, The New York Times, Chase Bank, etc) may also encourage them to discontinue using Getty.  This could really hurt them financially if they loose enough big accounts.

Might be a long shot, but with proper Google placement, a descriptive title (e.g. GettyExtortion.com or gettysucks.com), a good summary description (e.g. These artist and companies support Getty in their extortion efforts) and accurate content, it may become a quite large thorn in Getty's side.

How much info would you be willing to include?  Your real name, the image in question, the artist who holds the rights, the actual licensing cost, and the amount Getty wants to charge? 

Just putting this out there for you thoughts and input.

Thanks and good luck!

 

[phxsunbum]

P.S.

I think we should also include where the image was obtained from if possible (e.g. RF website, India design firm, template company, and include their specific company names).

In addition I'd add any letters I wrote to my congressman and a copy of their responses. 

[Matthew Chan]

There are a couple of options here for you.

You can begin your project here since you have a built-in platform and readership of 10,000+ unique visitors per month and try some of your ideas out. Then you can bring over that same content to your website. If you don't feel comfortable with that, you can simply start it and just go with it and see how it organically grows.

When I launched ELI over 3 years ago, I did not necessarily think about how many people would ultimately be impacted and helped. I just knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do as a response against the whole stock photo extortion letter thing.  People needed to be educated so solid information and research was needed to be collected. I knew I had to be transparent by revealing my identity and case if I wanted to attract credibility, allies, and supporters. What I did was mutually-serving.

Some of these basic precepts is what made ELI what it is today.  Let me be clear, I may have started ELI but there was no way in heck it would have gone anywhere without the people who would eventually come.  I would be severely remiss if I didn't mention Oscar.  We were two different people living in two different worlds that was brought together by intrigue of a single mission.  We were also fascinated (sort of sick, I know. LOL) about how big the Getty Images extortion letter scheme was and yet no one attempted to put something meaningful together.  Surprisingly, we were a good fit for each other.  However, before Oscar ever met me, I had to do my part to be credible and transparent to him. I had just enough on ELI and Google to pass Oscar's smell-test of my credibility.

The point I am trying to make is that go launch something, it doesn't hurt.  It only helps the greater cause. Do what you can and let the people who want to step up do so in their own way.  Some offer their time here, some offer financial contributions, some offer their stories, some hire Oscar, some take the information and help themselves which is also fine.  It is one less payor to the extortion letter scheme and that is not a bad thing.

Good luck.

Matthew Chan

[Oscar Michelen]

Matt - you nailed it!