Nice people, but serious issues with business model
Pros
The people were very nice and kind
Cons
Alamy's biggest challenge is its business model. In my opinion, the product is fundamentally misrepresented to customers. While there are a handful of collections where the company has clear licensing rights, much of the platform operates as an open marketplace where third parties upload content. That distinction is not always obvious to customers, who often believe they are licensing directly from a traditional stock agency. The film still collection is particularly concerning. In my experience, the rights surrounding this content are far more complex than many customers realize, yet it continues to be licensed through the platform. When legal issues arise, the burden often shifts to the customer, while the company relies on its position as a marketplace rather than taking responsibility as a traditional licensor. This creates unnecessary legal and reputational risk for customers and, ultimately, for PA Media. The benefits are not competitive and can cost over $700 monthly for an individual employee.
