News

Photo sharing site 500px was once separated from other such sites by its online marketplace, where photographers could share and sell their images independently. But after being purchased in February by Visual China Group (VCG), 500px is changing its business model and ending the online photo marketplace.

As of this week, all images on 500px can only be licensed through Getty Images—in China VCG will maintain licensing rights. The company addresses the thought behind the change in the FAQ section:

“This is part of a strategic repositioning of 500px's network of contributors and the licensable content they submit to 500px. These changes enable 500px to serve the needs of a broader cohort of visual media customers, and represent a significant revenue opportunity for the company and its contributors."

The change eliminates the ability to upload images under the Creative Commons license that could be used free of charge for certain purposes. Let’s pour one out for the end of 500px’s online photo market place—using a photo uploaded under a Creative Commons license, of course. 

h/t [DPReview.com]