Messages

2131

UK Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Clone Letter FROM the UK

« on: March 27, 2011, 04:39:50 PM »

Can you identify what UK company is? Is it a new stock photo company we have heard before or not? Does the UK company have a presence in the U.S.?

2132

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: I just got my letter on Tuesday looking for help

« on: March 23, 2011, 01:58:08 PM »

If you feel you must respond, you can simply let them know Oscar will be contacting them on your behalf. They know Oscar and this website very well.

2133

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Thread Separation: Rebuttal to Oscar not responsive

« on: March 23, 2011, 01:49:25 AM »

Two weeks is an unusually long wait time which is rare. It is difficult to put up an average wait time because there are many variables.  We hate to tell people they will have to wait 2 weeks when the reality is it often takes much less time and really not the case. There are extenuating circumstances here. But probably we just need to add a disclaimer at some point.

Heck, even I have had a tough time getting ahold of Oscar and I work with the guy!

The best thing to do is to simply be persistent and leave follow-up messages is my best advice.

Matthew Chan

2134

Getty Images Letter Forum / Thread Separation: Rebuttal to Oscar not responsive

« on: March 22, 2011, 09:14:05 PM »

Hi Robert,

Thanks for signing your name. We don't feel so alone anymore. :-)

But seriously, there aren't a lot of bad apples per se.  But there are a LOT of emotions behind this issue and people respond to the stress in different ways. Neither Oscar or I would ever claim that we couldn't do better. But it gets tiresome when people come in and think that this monster site and the thousands of messages on this forum is because we are running an enterprise operation.

When in reality we are simply two professional guys from different parts of the U.S. that came together by way of the Internet nearly 3 years ago and decided to do something about this issue in a bigger way. We had to donate our spare time and resources initially to get this going and we still do.  We get between 400-500 visits EVERY DAY! We now service nearly 7,000 unique visitors per month. That is an average of over 200 unique visitors per day. That means that our visitors are checking with us at least twice per day for updates.

The number of people who donate or pay for the letter program is in my estimate less than 3% of all unique visitors! Unfortunately, that 3% is not nearly enough to do much more.

I think it is time that I released more of this type of information to give people an idea of how much of a shoe-string operation this is compared to world-wide reach we have attained, not to mention the deep pockets of the big stock photo companies. And while we can take some of the credit, Getty Images and the stock photo industry has been relentless in the ongoing release of their demand letters. This issue continues to expand and touch people in nearly all business and industries that have a website.

The growth curve of this website has been steeper than I anticipated and continues to beat my estimates because the stock photo companies are driving more people to us.

I am not picking on anyone in particular but people really need to get a grip. The larger this website grows and the greater the number of letter recipients, the less Oscar and I can do to help each individual.  That is why we encourage people to communicate on the forums which is a huge database of information. That is why we have produced information audios and videos.  We have slowly crept into social media with Scribd, YouTube, and Twitter.

Having said that, we do have a few loyal contributors that do what they can by posting opinions when we can't. Or they direct others to the other places of this website for the information they are seeking.

Oscar and I really don't ask for much.  We just want some extra thought and consideration before people start ranting and spouting off having unrealistic expectations of what we can do. Oscar and I have never gone on a money-seeking campaign and we don't foresee ever doing it. It simply isn't our style. We simply do what we can with we have (or don't have). If people can't understand that and too many people start complaining and criticizing too much, then maybe we can turn the clock back 3 years to a time when there was very little organized discussion community to work with and let everyone fend for themselves.

I promise you, nothing would make Getty Images and all the major stock photo companies happier than for Oscar and I to disband and give up on this website. There is probably no website that is more of a thorn to them than this one.

Believe me, even after nearly 3 years of this working for nearly free, Oscar and I are still pretty lonely people when it comes to this issue. Not many people want to jump into this controversy voluntarily. It is us two and a lot of spectators and few loyal "eyes and ears" out there.  Thanks for listening.

Matthew Chan

2135

Getty Images Letter Forum / Thread Separation: Rebuttal to Oscar not responsive

« on: March 22, 2011, 08:22:54 PM »

Well, I can honestly say that in since this website was launched in 2008, I have never seen Oscar respond in such a stern manner here on the forums. Normally, I am the less patient one. The crux of this has to do with people's unreasonably high expectations vs. what we can realistically do, not to mention maintain our good business reputations outside of this fundamentally negative controversy.

What people don't realize is that I nearly shut down this website 2 months ago. Now just think about that very carefully if this website was shut down back in January.  Would ANYONE have a platform or to be complaining right now?

I have long wanted to acknowledge and discuss certain issues publicly but have restrained myself mostly because of my working relationship with Oscar. All you readers need to know that Oscar has argued to keep this website going despite my thoughts on closing this website. And it is NOT because of all the money he is making from contributing to this website or implementing the Defense Letter Program.

It is because he is trying to serve a greater good and serve the defense position that he feels is fundamentally right. Quite literally as far as I have been able to see, Oscar is the ONLY attorney in the WORLD who has put a face to this cause and directly engaged all the parties involved include the major stock photo companies, their legal counsel, the little guy, and me (who has created, organized, and brainstormed our entire Internet infrastructure to reach a worldwide audience becoming the #1 website in the WORLD on this subject.)  If you don't believe that claim, go check out Google and see which names and website persistently come up on this subject (Oscar Michelen and Matthew Chan).

We have openly invited people to work with us including lawyers and solicitors around the world. With the exception of a couple of email communications of minor interest from a couple of lawyers/solicitors, NO ONE IS INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE!  NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT THIS ISSUE until that letter package arrives at someone's doorstep. Then all of a sudden, a frantic Google search later, Oscar and I get put into the cross-hairs as the people who need to respond both personally and quickly.  Oh, did Oscar already mention that most people are trying to get this immediate help for FREE? Many won't do their homework FIRST before posting they want help.  They start from almost ZERO EDUCATION.

And as far as letter recipients go? I cannot find one person who will publicly post their name or photo to their complaints in this fight. To date, I am the only letter recipient crazy enough to have gone public in a big way.  I can promise you it was not to brag about it. It was a very personal and strategic decision that I made early on that if I wanted to be taken and treated seriously, people needed to know not only what I was going to do about it but who it came from.

Anyhow, this is only the tip of the iceberg. I have a longer dissertation that will be prominently posted later on. Hang on to your shorts, because people's feelings are going to get hurt....

Matthew Chan

2136

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: I just got my letter on Tuesday looking for help

« on: March 23, 2011, 01:01:09 AM »

Mccairns,

You bring up a good point. I might need to break this thread off.

UPDATE: A line of discussion was broken off and a "new" thread was formed called "Rebuttal to Oscar not responsive"

2137

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: I just got my letter on Tuesday looking for help

« on: March 19, 2011, 04:37:02 PM »

Actually, Oscar's contact info is on SEVERAL PAGES/PLACES on this website not to mention the HOME PAGE but one has to make a tiny effort to search for it.

I also think it is tragic how we have entire videos and interviews freely available to subscribers that discuss the situation but some won't take the time to educate themselves.

There is a reason why an entire website is devoted to the subject.  Solutions cannot be encapsulated into 3 sentence answers so I won't even attempt it.

2138

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: ELI Website Traffic Statistics Trivia

« on: February 16, 2011, 03:18:31 AM »

I know people feel like they are alone. And sometimes the forum is a bit quiet. But I promise you, there are many readers being educated here.

That is one reason why I started tracking the stats.  And yes, the major stock image companies do read our forums also!  :-)

Maybe the college rookies on the phone lines and sending the emails will learn a thing or two between legal theory and the kool-aid being fed to them vs. the reality of the situation and the "other" side.

MatthewC

2139

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: ELI Website Traffic Statistics Trivia

« on: February 13, 2011, 06:35:26 PM »

It is very safe to say it was a team effort.  And in no small way your involvement brought a huge amount of credibility and expertise on the subject.

Also, you are a pretty good cheerleader and motivational coach behind the scenes. LOL.  Just saying....

2140

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Is this response too harsh?

« on: February 05, 2011, 05:59:43 AM »

Yes, it makes you look bad. You can make a strong statement and your points without using profanity.

2141

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: ELI Website Traffic Statistics Trivia

« on: February 03, 2011, 05:17:05 AM »

January 2011 was a record-breaker month with 7,100+ unique visitors.

The top countries that read this site (aside from the U.S.) are:

1. Bolivia, Singapore, Russia (all tied for 1st to 3rd place)

4. United Kingdom
5. Luxembourg
6. Ukraine & Canada (tied for 5th & 6th place)

2142

Getty Images Letter Forum / Re: Getty Images Director of Corporate Counsel Lisa Willmer Hosts YouTube Video

« on: January 22, 2011, 06:55:49 PM »

Using your words, let's be clear. It doesn't look like you read my story very carefully. And if you did read it , you clearly didn't get my message.

I didn't lift any photos. My website banner designer in India did. It never occurred to me they would do something so blatant or that I would have to tell anyone I hire to not engage in copyright infringement activities.  And even if I did make an innocent mistake (which it would have been), I would have very much like a "cease and desist" letter or some more "reasonable" dollar. The problem would have been solved quickly.

I understand your point of view. Believe it or not, I do understand how to "prevent" myself from getting into trouble going forward.  Having said that, you reap what you sow. It meant if Getty Images were more reasonable, it would have been so easy to take care of it and no drama. This website would have never existed. I would never have done research to eventually meet Oscar. Oscar would not become the advocate he is today. All of this came about by their actions. I chose not to sit around and be victimized or threatened.

Also, Getty Images is not the only stock photo company doing this. Nearly every major stock photo industry is partaking on this. Many photographers are supportive of their actions. Hence, I see no point to financially support any of the stock photo companies. I am fairly certain others feel that way and my article provides some solutions and work-arounds.

Fortunately, I am creative enough to find ways around stock photos.

You may think I am "ranting" but I stand by what I say and I back it up. I don't do it anonymously.  People know where I stand.

I built this website from nothing so that other letter recipients would become more educated on the issue and equalize the argument. This website was not intended for the opposing sides view.  Anyone can take the opposing side's view but this website and forum is the wrong place for it. I tell them go find their own corner of their the Internet and rally their own support.

There is no question where I or website stand on the matter.

MatthewC

2143

Getty Images Letter Forum / Getty Images Director of Corporate Counsel Lisa Willmer Hosts YouTube Video

« on: January 20, 2011, 03:51:00 AM »

In a recent YouTube search, I discovered that Getty Images has launched their own educational YouTube Channel.

Most interesting and worth watching is Getty Images Director of Corporate Counsel, Lisa Willmer host Getty Image's educational video: . I think the video is worth watching and commenting on.

While I don't have an axe to grind with any particular photographer, I can honestly say that the best thing to do is to just stay away from the stock photo industry. No one needs the brain damage that thousands of letter recipients have received as far as I am concerned.  

Personally, I think many photographers are naive and will not change their revenue model. They are so lost in their "art", they refuse to acknowledge the new world of digital cameras and the new world of business. I won't support an outdated model and old mindset.

Vote with your feet and run away and avoid this nonsense. I would much rather spend my money on my camera equipment and take your own photos. Or find a local photographer and make a work-for-hire arrangement. Until they stop this nonsense of extorting people or at least become more reasonable in their tactics, count me out.

Read the article I wrote over a year ago about How to Stop Using Stock Photos and Boycott the Stock Photo Industry.

Share your thoughts in this thread.

2144

Riddick/Imageline Letter Forum / ELI Website Traffic Statistics Trivia

« on: January 20, 2011, 02:35:47 AM »

Did You Know?

ELI has 6,000+ unique visitors per month. The highest recorded was in January 2011 with 7,100+ unique visitors.

Tuesday is the most popular day for ELI visitors followed by Wednesday.

70% of ELI visitors do so from direct connections. (We have a large base of repeat visitors.) The other 30% find us through search engines, mostly through Google.

An estimated 600+ letter recipients worldwide have listened or watched our informational audios and videos since we launched in 2008.

2145

Getty Images Letter Forum / ELI Website Traffic Statistics Trivia

« on: January 20, 2011, 02:34:50 AM »

Did You Know?

ELI has 6,000+ unique visitors per month. The highest recorded was in January 2011 (before the Winter Holidays) with 7,100+ unique visitors.

Tuesday is the most popular day for ELI visitors followed by Wednesday.

70% of ELI visitors do so from direct connections. (We have a large base of repeat visitors.) The other 30% find us through search engines, mostly through Google.

An estimated 600+ letter recipients worldwide have listened or watched our informational audios and videos since we launched in 2008.