C. About our Photo Sales Customers

Based on the “intended use” statements provided on the order form and data about commercial service fees collected and pending, the majority of our customers obtain images for personal, non-commercial use.

The following chart demonstrates the number and types of orders received:

Commercial Customers

We do not have accurate reports that separate commercial use activity. Upon ordering, customers are required to state their intended use.  Customers who know how they will be using the image will pay the service fee up front. Customers who do not yet have a publisher or distributor will list their service fees as “pending.”  There may be a gap of several years before a service fee is collected or the project may be cancelled. Clearly, we rely on the honor system to a great extent.  A customer may be dishonest about the intended use or fail to follow up with pending fees.

Information for the following chart was obtained by a review of contracts drawn up and the order log maintained by the photo sales clerk.