The Association of Photographers (AOP)has joined forces with fellow organisations in the US and Canada to condemn Getty’s decision to introduce a blanket charge for web licenses for web use of rights managed images.

In an open letter to Getty CEO Jonathan Klein from the Stock Artists Alliance, the American Society of Media Photographers, the Advertising Photographers of America, Editorial Photographers, the Canadian Association of Photographers, and the AOP warn of “the risks undermining Getty’s core licensing business—as well as the businesses of the independent contributing photographers who create and own the majority of imagery in your RM collections”

The six trades organistions, who collectivelly represent over 12,000 professional photographers have called upon Getty Images to remove all Rights Managed photographs (including their Rights Ready brands) from the blanket $49 licence, arguing that it represents a reduction of up to 96% in the revenues that would be paid to photographers, and so threatens the livelihood of photographers worldwide.

The letter adds: “ As the market leader, Getty’s actions affect the entire industry. We therefore expect that your action of devaluing digital usage risks the long-term earning potential from image licensing, whether it be stock or commissioned.”