Istock’s original post on 2010 changes which we mentioned recently generated some controversy due to changes to their canister levels. They have made some changes and will be grandfathering non-exclusives at their old levels and for exclusive members, they will also climb one level at the old thresholds.

When the canister levels change on February 24, all members will still be grandfathered into their current level, and all Exclusive members will be grandfathered into the old levels for their next canister as well.

We promised we wouldn’t be mean-spirited when we looked at individual cases, but to ease people’s minds, we decided to go with the easiest implemenation. Every Exclusive will still need the same number of downloads to reach their next level.

So if you’re a silver Exclusive now with 2501 downloads, you will still be a silver after February 24. And you will still become gold when you hit 10,000 downloads.

After you’ve passed that next level, you will move into the new canister levels that we outlined in the orignal announcement.

This will apply to anyone who becomes Exclusive before February 24. If you’re interested in becoming Exclusive but will be prevented by other contractual obligations before that cut-off date, get in touch with us and we can work something out. Email us at artists@istockphoto.com before January 11 and we will arrange a wider window that works for you.

Now get out there and have a great holiday everybody. Happy New Year.

You can read the details at their forum.