FAQ

How can I get entry to PICS UNITED picture library?

To gain entry you must possess a valid a Login and Password.

What conditions must I fulfill to receive a Login and Password?

Every professional picture user can make use of Pics United picture library. Such as the picture editor of a newspaper, magazine, tv guide, publisher, pr- communications bureau, advertising agency etc., etc. You must be familiar with and in agreement with Pics United general terms and conditions.

How do I get a UserID and Password?

As long as you meet the conditions, you can fill in the form Password Application giving all your details. We will contact you within 24 hours and after verification that your details are correct you will receive your unique Login and Password.

I am looking for a specific photo and cannot find it.

Send an e-mail with fullest details of your request to picrequest@pics-united.com or phone +31.(0)402962800 . We will request our photo correspondents and foto agencies who work with us to investigate if it is deliverable.

I have forgotten my Login / Password

Get in touch with our Sales Dept.: sales@pics-united.com.

How quickly are pictures downloaded?

The Pics United picture library is installed in Eindhoven, a conscious choice because of the excellence of available infrastructure and the fiber optics infrastructure ensures a optimal connection onto the Internet. The download time depends therefore on ' the weakest link'- your own provider/modem.

After I have downloaded them can I store or re-use the photo(s)?

No, that is not permitted. Photos which are downloaded may only be kept for a maximum of two weeks on your computer. After that they must be destroyed. Saving them on CD-rom, disc, Zip file or any other medium is expressly forbidden without prior permission. Should you wish to publish a picture at a later stage then you must download it again.

How does Pics United know which pictures I have downloaded?

All the downloads are registered by Pics United's server. The Pics United Sales Department checks publication details from these records.

Can I dial in the Picture Library by ISDN-connection?

No

What does 'to Zip' mean?

To Zip means that the server of Pics United places the pictures you have selected to download (in your shopping cart) in a folder. In this way you only have to download 1 item containing your order instead of all the pictures separately. Also in practice it has been proved that this way of downloading is less malfuntion sensitive.

What does the name of the downloaded zipfolder mean?

The name of the file exist of 3 parts, f.e. we use the file "PU_2004-1-22_10747671749568.zip".
The "PU" are the initials of Pics United.
"2004_1_22\" Is the date. (Year-Month-Day)
"10747671749568" is a timestamp.

How do I know if I have a Zip-program on my MAC?

Via the 'Applekey' + 'F' you start the browser on your computer (sherlock). Type 'stuffit' and let a search be done on your harddisk(s). Look carefully between the hits shown on your screen and see if you have the PROGRAM Stuffit Expander. If it showes you do not have this you can simply download it here http://www.aladdinsys.com

How do I know if I have a Zip-program on my PC?

Windows XP has an integrated zip program. For other versions go to the STARTMENU you go to 'FIND" en select 'FILES or FOLDERS". Type 'winzip' and let a search be done on your harddisk(s). Look carefully between the hits shown on your screen and see if you have the PROGRAM Winzip. If it showes you do not have this you can simply download it here http://www.winzip.com

I have technical problems installing the zip-software.

Contact helpdesk@pics-united.com with a clear description of your problem

Where can I download a Zip-program for my MAC?

http://www.aladdinsys.com

Where can I download a Zip-program for my PC?

http://www.winzip.com

Does it matter with which program I Unzip?

No, we only give advice from our own experience.

Is 'Zipping' en 'Unzipping' save?

Yes, nothing can happen.

Does the Zipping harm the quality of the downloaded pictures?

No, it doesn't. It only puts all the pictures in one folder and doesn't compress the photo's so the quality stays the same.

How much does publication of a Pics United photo cost in my media?

That depends on your type of medium, the method of use, circulation and size of publication. For example a quarter of a page, half page, full page and 'cover' use each have different fees. To receive a price list for your specific medium, please send an e-mail to sales@pics-united.com. We will forward the fees by e-mail.

Must I pay for each download?

No, downloading itself is free of charge. You only pay for eventual publication. It is therefore important that Pics United knows how the photo is eventually used in your medium. As our client you are obliged to report the manner of publication and space size within 14 days to our sales department by e-mail: sales@pics-united.com or by fax to +31 (0)402484743. You must also send us verification by way of sending the publication free of charge to us: Pics United - Sales Dept, P.O. Box 7164, 5605 JD Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Our Sales Department will independently check publication in the media and compare them our downloads to avoid any misunderstandings.

Am I allowed to fit the picture into a space of my choice by cutting out/cropping?

Yes. Many of Pics United pictures are digitized with extra room left around a subject or the action in question. The advantage is that the editor looking for a photo, with room for text for instance, can crop the photo himself to their own liking. Experience shows that a photo required for a cover or a spread should not be too closely cropped. Pics United leaves that up to the editor.

Is a subscription for use of Pics United services possible on a yearly basis?

Yes, that is possible and it could be in your interests. When you subscribe for an agreed amount (fee) you can use photography from our picture library (limited or unlimited) for your specified medium or agreed period of time. Feel free to contact our Sales Department. They will explain the possibilities and provide a personal quotation.

How good is the quality of Pics United digital pictures?

Much of the photo material in the Pics United picture library is digitalised in a size of ± 15 Mb with a resolution of 1350dpi. The picture is in JPEG- format compressed to a file of ± 1 Mb. The quality of these pictures is sufficient for publication on a full color page and glossy magazine spread.

What name credit must appear with the published photograph?

At all times the name "Pics United/name of photographer or agency" who took the picture must appear. You receive this information (CREDITS) on the file info with each picture. (File Info -> field 4).

After publication of a Pics United photo what must I do?

Within 14 days of the publication date you are obliged to inform the sales dept of Pics United. The simplest way to do so is by sending an e-mail to sales@pics-united.com or a fax +31(0)402484743 stating the subject of the photograph, match, player, team, etc.,) the file name of the photo, size used and manner of publication. Also you should send (at no cost to us) an example of the published work to Pics United, Sales Dept, Postbus 7164, 5605 JD Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

How is a Pics United photo allowed to be used?

All the photos from the Pics United picture library can be published in the free media, such as newspapers, magazines etc. In the event of commercial use of a Pics United photo, the permission of the person who has been photographed must be obtained at all times! Pics United is not responsible for any claims for damages by the subject of photographs (those photographed) and the logo holders against your publication. At all times this is the responsibility of the publishers and their distributors. For instance: you may want to publish a book with a Pics United photo on the cover. This falls under the category of commercial use and permission of the person (s) photographed is required. If in doubt about the manner in which you wish to use a picture, get in touch with us.

Can I become a Pics United photo correspondent?

Pics United only works with professional sports photographers who are active in a fully professional capacity in European football. These (generally independent) photographers or photo agencies are the owners of the authors rights and copyright of their photographs and have entered an agreement with Pics United who distribute and sell their pictures. To become one of our photo correspondents you must possess professional photographic and computer equipment and be in a position to work with and deliver digital pictures. If you meet up to these criteria please contact us at photographers@pics-united.com.

How does the PICS UNITED picture library work?

Click on button 'PICTURE LIBRARY'. A new window will open in which your Password and UserID must be filled in. (Have you still not got a userID and password? First go to password application). After your details are verified you come into the Pics United 'search engine'. In the space 'SEARCH FOR' you fill in a description of the picture you want. For example it could be the name of a player, such as 'BERGKAMP' or a particular match, such as 'Barcelona-Real Madrid' or a special tournament, 'WORLD CUP 1998' etc., etc., If you are looking for a match or actuality on a specific date then fill in the date at 'DATE'. If you want to see pictures from last week (weeks) then go to 'PERIOD'. It is standard for this to be listed under 'NO PREFERENCE' but you can also choose 'LAST WEEK' or 'LAST TWO WEEKS'. There also is the option to select a specific layout of the requested photograph (LANDSCAPE or PORTRAIT) and the specific type of shot you want, such as 'On or With the ball', 'Portrait', 'Celebration', Dejection/Emotion', 'Action Picture', etc. (Via 'SEARCH TIPS' you will find interesting tips and suggestions to help you fastly find the picture you want.)

After you have filled in your request click 'SEARCH' and small versions (Previews)- a maximum of 20 - of the photos found will now appear on the screen. If the search engine has found more than 20 hits these more Previews spread out over 20 per page will appear. You can easily go on to the next page by pressing 'NEXT'. Once you see a preview of your interest go with your mouse 'o the relevant Preview and 'doubleclick' so that the preview appears in a larger size together with all the picture information (caption) and the date on which it was taken. If you wish to download click on the shopping cart symbol named 'SHOPPING CART' below the Preview. (This is the shopping cart in which your requested pictures are first stored). If you are searching for more photographs/subjects, you can now return to the search engine by clicking on the button 'SEARCH AGAIN' and the earlier procedures are repeated enabling you to continue your search for more picture(s). Once you have one or more pictures of your choice in your 'SHOPPING CART' you can download them. First you are obliged to check the contents of your shopping cart by pressing 'VIEW SHOPPING CART' , Than click 'DOWNLOAD'. The Pics United server directly begins to download the requested pictures into your own computer. A window will appear in which you can specify where you require the downloaded pictures to be saved. During downloading the estimated remaining download time is given.