The LPB has proposed a Late Notice motion to the April NUJ Delegate Meeting in Eastbourne calling for a union-wide boycott of the purchase or use of photographs from Getty Images. This follows an announcement by the company that it is making 35 million pictures available free of charge for “non-commercial” use.

The Getty Images definition of “non-commercial” is extraordinarily wide. Most significantly for our members, it includes all editorial use. It also includes blogs using Google Ads to generate income – only direct promotion of a product, service or company is regarded as commercial.

This is a disastrous move for photographers. The British Journal of Photography (BJP) has described it as having “single-handedly redefined the entire photography market”. It cannot be allowed to stand. More detail can be found on the BJP website here and here.

LATE NOTICE MOTION AGREED UNANIMOUSLY AT THE LPB MARCH MEETING:

Boycott Getty Images

This DM is appalled at Getty’s decision to make its photographic content available free of charge for so-called “non-commercial” use, thereby further undermining the ability of photographers to earn a living. This DM instructs the NEC to ensure NUJ publications avoid the use of Getty Images and to call upon all members to boycott the purchase or use of Getty Images photographic content wherever possible until Getty reverses this decision.

( No cost )