Angry in the Great White North

With the scandal raging over the Reuter's photograph (now two photographs, forcing Reuters to pull all of Adnan Hajj's photographs), I thought it would be good to see more Reuter's photos. To do that you have to apply for an account. I entered my data on the online application form. I had no idea what it would cost, but I figured I can always cancel the application.

I got my first response email, probably automated:

From: pictures@reuters.com
To: agwnblog@gmail.com
Date: Aug 6, 2006 7:45 PM
Subject: Reuters Registration Confirmation

Dear Steve Janke,

Thank you for registering at www.pictures.reuters.com. You will receive an email when your account is validated.

To find out more about Reuters visit www.about.reuters.com

Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of Reuters Ltd.

OK, a bit odd. Validated? Usually that means just checking that the email isn't bogus. Obviously I got this email, so my email was good.

I liked the bit about views being expressed aren't those of Reuters...nice touch.

Then I got this email about fourteen hours later. No one called me or emailed me to ask me about my status as an individual or as a business. Someone just came to this conclusion:

From: pictures@reuters.com
To: agwnblog@gmail.com
Date: Aug 7, 2006 9:39 AM
Subject: Reuters Registration - Account Request Rejected

Dear Steve Janke,

Your registration for access to the Reuters Pictures service has been rejected. You are still welcome to browse some of our best image collections that are available from the Home Page.

This is a business to business service and we do not accept applications from private individuals. If you believe that you received this message in error please email pictures@reuters.com

To find out more about Reuters visit www.about.reuters.com

Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of Reuters Ltd.

Well, doesn't that just bite. First, what is the difference between a business and a private individual? Money is money, right? And why would my blog be discounted as a business? It has a logo and it's own URL and copyrights and T-Shirts and everything. They knew about the blog because I provided the URL for it in the application.

Unless...

Unless that's the problem. Reuters follows the URL, sees the critical stories, makes up some bit about "business to business" and closes the door in my face. I don't remember seeing anything about "business to business" during the application process, and I checked it again just now, and I still don't see anything.

In any case, Reuter's seems picky about who gets to see their pictures. Too bad they weren't more careful about who was taking them.