Claiming royalties on images in print
So it's that time of year again - payback is open and the Design and Artist Copyright Society is inviting me to claim my share of royalties for visual artists. This used to be the most simple of procedures, but has become more complex in recent years with much changing in the system. What was a simple claim has become complex, with the addition of a new pot of money available in the form of CLA photocopying information.
But I was very upset at the realisation, last year, that I could not put a claim in for this money without having the full ISBN or ISSN numbers of the publications my work appeared in - information Alamy refused to give me, on the grounds of customer confidentiality. But they would make the claim for me, if I wished, and was happy to surrender 50% to them in commission. A rather excessive fee in perpetuity, for what is basically a simple admin task.
I wanted to rebel, I asked other photographers what they did. They were pessimistic about our chances of organising to fight for better terms. DACS itself - an organisation which claims to , represent artists, failed to even reply to my requests for support from them in obtaining the ISBN and ISSN numbers from agencies like alamy.
So, I have in the last week finally conceded defeat and granted alamy the power to make the claim on my behalf. Bang goes 50% of my royalty income. But, what made it easier for me (aside from the bonus of not having to worry about it any more) was confirmation that I could allow alamy to make a claim via DACs for eligible sales via their site, AND allow 4Corners to make a claim (via Picsel) for their eligible sales, AND STILL be able to put in a personal claim for a handful of other sales that would otherwise be missed. So, I am working on my claim, with a happy realisation that I have actually personally sold my work more times than I had realised. So this year at least I will have 3 separate claims going forward to help supplement the losses to commission at both alamy and 4Corner on the bulk of my DACS eligible sales. I await to see if the decision proves financially worthwhile...
Lifelong Career Photographer retired from full time practice but still keeping in focus !! Stock Image Licensing Professional. Former Managing Director of The Travel Library now part of the Avalon Red Agency
7 年This debate goes on year in year out. Perhaps Deborah Waters I could help you better understand the situation . I have run a agency myself and now I'm a photographer ( albeit semi retired ) & can see it from both sides .When you place your work with an agency they are the ones who on your behalf manage the hosting and marketing of your images .And they are the ones who achieve the sells for you .Sells that you would not have without the agency. And rightly so claim payback on your behalf. Dividing the amount received with you by whatever your commission rate is. It would be huge admin task for any agency to provide ISBN etc numbers for all published work to thaire photographers . And why should they spend all of that admin time for no return ? You enter into a contract 50/50 or whatever and share the the income between you however derived. Some photographers also object to the agency claiming payback and do not grant the agency permission to claim. They then of course lose out as well as the agency ! Of course if you have sold work direct yourself and have has it published there is nothing preventing you from submitting your own claim in addition to your agencies claim. Hope this helps .