PLUS Coalition - Bringing the Picture Industry into the 21st Century

Jeffrey Burke (Vice President, PACA and President & CEO of PictureArts Corporation) and Jeff Sedlik (Chief Advisor, Copyright and Licensing, APA and Immediate Past President, APA National) are working together on a new stock industry initiative called the the PLUS Coalition, a new Picture Licensing Universal System: "An inter-organizational, worldwide group working cooperatively to create and disseminate a universal picture licensing language for the benefit of picture licensors and users alike."

Burke: "It’s concept is supported by most major trade associations, including SAA and many others. For myself and most others in this business, it’s about selling pictures profitably and for the long run." [see the STOCKPHOTO.net Digest Number 1947 where the discussion "RF - Dare you say no?" continues with increasing intensity. The RF-discussion started with STOCKPHOTO Digest Number 1938 of Apr 27]

The White Paper of PLUS states: "Images and other forms of intellectual property are the currency of the 21st century[*]. The process of negotiating and managing licensing transactions is the foundation of commerce in the Picture Licensing Industry, and is critical to the ultimate success of all participants. Licensees and licensors alike would benefit from standardization of the licensing language and a clearly defined categorization of picture uses. The Picture Licensing Universal System (PLUS) is an initiative designed to provide just such a solution...
The PLUS initiative is based upon the creation, implementation and general industry adoption of two key elements; a GLOSSARY of terms that define picture uses, and a standardized, hierarchical GRID of those uses...The PLUS system offers significant benefit to Licensors and Customers dealing with Picture Licensing Rights."

PLUS extends an opportunity for related trade industry associations and others to review and comment on its development efforts through its Advisory Council. Current Advisory Council members include:

APA (USA) - Advertising Photographers of America
PACA (North America) - The Picture Archive Council of America
AIGA (USA) - American Institute of Graphic Arts
AOP (UK) – The Association of Photographers
ASMP (USA) – American Society of Media Photographers
ASPP (USA) – American Society of Picture Professionals
BAPLA (UK) – British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies
CEPIC (Europe) – Coordination of European Picture Agencies
Corbis Corporation (Worldwide)
Digimarc Corporation (USA)
EP (USA) – Editorial Photographers
GAG (USA) - Graphic Artists Guild
Getty Images (Worldwide)
NANPA (USA) – North American Nature Photography Association
NPPA (USA) – National Press Photographers Association
Pyramide - (UK)
SAA (USA) – Stock Artists Alliance
SPAR (USA) – Society of Photographers and Artists Representatives
TAU Visual (Italy) – National Association of Professional Photographers
zefa Visual Media Group (Europe)

Other associations interested in participating should contact Jeff Sedlik at council@useplus.org.

The Development of practical licensing Glossaries and Usage Grid is coordinated by the Development Committee. PLUS is currently soliciting veteran, industry professionals to provide volunteer support for the Development Committee in various positions. Contact Ellen Boughn at committee@useplus.org.
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[*] See "Billie Gates of Corbis: Intellectual property rights are the lifeblood of our business"