Today, we are excited to announce the first implementation of the ImageIRC Post-Usage-Billing Service. The ImageIRC Post-Usage Billing Service is a service that facilitates credit and compensation of professional imagery shared on social image-sharing platforms. This new solution will ensure that professional imagery shared by platform users is properly credited and licensed.
We’re excited about this announcement because it is a first of its kind solution whereby the ImageIRC is leveraged to ensure crediting and licensing of professional content on social image-sharing platforms. Professional content drives significant engagement on social image-sharing platforms. With the ImageIRC Post-Usage Billing Service, photographers and content licensors can now be assured that their work is properly acknowledged on platforms which will embrace the ImageIRC Post Usage Billing solution.
In the online video world, a similar service is YouTube’s Content ID. Launched in 2007, Content ID allows licensors of video and audio media shared by YouTube users to take action on their content as it is uploaded. Similar to the ImageIRC model, licensors upload the audio and video “reference” files they would like monitored on YouTube into Content ID. Then, the uploaded reference files are fingerprinted and stored in the Content ID system. When YouTube users uploaded audio or video content that exists in the Content ID system, the licensor has the ability to track, block or monetize the content. Like professional imagery, professional audio and video content drives significant engagement on YouTube. Since the launch of Content ID, licensors and YouTube users can benefit equally from value created by professional content.
The Evolution of Media Licensing:
To tell you a bit more about how the ImageIRC Post-Usage Billing Service works, social image sharing platforms begin by integrating with the ImageIRC API. When a user shares an image, the ImageIRC API is pinged to determine if the image can be identified and licensed. When possible, the ImageIRC grants a license for the image at the time it is shared. Content licensed through the ImageIRC Post-Usage Billing service will display the licensor’s credit and caption within the image.
How it Works:
Currently, Getty Images is the first licensor that will be using the ImageIRC Post-Usage Billing Service to license images on social image-sharing platforms. We expect to offer the solution to all ImageIRC partners in the near future and we’ll be sure to keep you updated as more develops. Please note that ImageIRC partners will have the opportunity to opt into participating in the ImageIRC Post-Usage Billing Service.
We are also pleased to announce SparkRebel, a fashion-focused social image-sharing platform, as our first ImageIRC Post-Usage Billing Service customer. On SparkRebelusers and brands — from well-known ready-to-wear to couture — “Spark” images that inspire their style. For more information, check out the official release about the SparkRebel partnership.
Stay tuned for more innovations from PicScout and the ImageIRC
1 comment
David Hoffman says:
Oct 11, 2012
At first glance this looks like a great solution for the many small libraries that have their content spread across the web on sharing sites. Is it available on a revenue sharing basis?
However – I just tried uploading a Getty image to Flickr, the PUBS doesn’t appear to be implemented there. That made me wonder why a sharing site would choose to co-operate. Pinterest, for example, would break their business model if they used this.