Scoopt.com launched last week with the aim of selling images submitted by the public to media outlets, taking 50% of the proceeds if it is successful.
The Glasgow-based site, set up and backed by three media and marketing professionals, will take worldwide exclusive rights to any submitted footage for three years, with the photographer retaining copyright. After three months the licence becomes non-exclusive and perpetual.
Kyle MacRae, a former IT journalist who set up the service, said more than 1000 people have registered with the site. He added various broadcasters, including Sky News, had also been in touch to register an interest.
However, he added that the BBC had not been in touch. The corporation's policy is that it does not make payments to the public for footage. Commercial rivals such as Sky and ITN, on the other hand, do pay for footage.
MacRae said he hoped to tap into the growing market for so-called "user generated content", which recently came to prominence during the London bombings.
"People are increasingly going to realise that there is increasing value in their photos," he said, adding the company would be vigilant in spotting any faked shots. "Our position is that we will walk away from any picture that we are uncomfortable with," he added.
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