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Getty Images Letter Forum / PicScout was acquired by Getty Images for $20M in 2011?

« on: June 27, 2012, 09:45:33 PM »

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000640892&fid=1725

According to this Getty Images now owns PicScout ... so that changes the part in Oscars article about: A Summary of the Getty Issue in the United States. The part about them having to split the profits from (The rumor is that PicScout and the image companies split the revenue from the program, 50-50, but we've found no proof for that.) from "the program".

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Getty Images Letter Forum / Hello and I just got a letter from Getty

« on: June 27, 2012, 04:07:19 AM »

I'm just basically introducing myself at this point, not asking for help specifically. I've viewed some of the content on this site and it is much appreciated. I found this site in a google.com search and it has been very helpful so far. I know not to bother Mathew or Oscar from the forum threads that I've read already and the videos that I have watched. I want to do my own homework on this thing as much as possible. And I don't want to bother M or O until I can find the money to be able to use their services IF I need them. I do want to reserve that option though.

On my blog I had posted a screen shot back in August 2009 of a Microsoft Windows 7 RC that I was playing with and I made some commentary on that and other events that were going on at the time regarding Windows 7 release leaks and such. The desktop background (customizable obviously within Windows) was something called "Pemaquid Lighthouse and Cliffs Maine" from the included "United States" desktop backgrounds ... so it's easy for someone who has Windows 7 to see this image as you can turn it on at any time. The images rotate on release version that I have now, not sure if it did so in the RC that I had back then.

Anyway after some fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) which I am sure they wanted ... I called them on the phone and explained what it was. But I had to ask them what URL it was on - because they didn't send that in the letter. But seeing the photocopied small representations that they included in the letter it looked like my blog ... and I pretty much knew it was a Windows desktop screen shot of some sort. I didn't know when or where it was on the blog though. I got the D. Bieker guy ... He wanted my email address so I gave it to him. They initially wanted $875.00, but sent me an email after the phone call with the typical "FOR SETTLEMENT PURPOSES ONLY" header with a new offer of $675.00. Of course "This offer is made conditionally and it will automatically be withdrawn if full payment is not postmarked by July 05, 2012."

Anyway I've looked around and I can find that image all over the Internet - mostly as Free Desktop Backgrounds - but also in other photo posting sites that allow users to post their own collections. That's not how I got it, and I didn't know that until today. But I will be using the plain blue desktops if I ever make Operating System screen shots again.

* Anyway hello everyone ...

Alan Spicer