VCG (视觉中国) : China's largest licensed marketplace for stock photos, video, music and design assets.

China's newsrooms and ad agencies use VCG the way Western teams use Getty Images, licensing photos, video, music and design assets. The Beijing company behind it dates to 2000.

Buyers span newspapers, brands and internet platforms, paying per clip or under annual agreements for rights they can legally publish.

Visual China Group has held exclusive Getty Images distribution rights in China since 2006 and runs the 500px photography community.

Does VCG track image usage across the internet?

Yes. VCG uses automated crawlers to detect unauthorized use of licensed images across Chinese websites. It aggressively pursues copyright claims, a practice that has drawn both revenue and criticism in China.

What copyright controversy has VCG faced?

VCG was heavily criticized in 2019 for claiming copyright on public domain images, including the Chinese national emblem and NASA photos. It was fined and ordered to reform its copyright practices by Chinese authorities.

Can I license VCG images from the US?

You can. VCG licenses images internationally. Their website has an English interface for global customers. Pricing is competitive with Getty and Shutterstock for Chinese-market specific imagery.

Is VCG the Getty Images of China?

Think of VCG as the Getty Images of China. It is the largest stock photo agency, holding exclusive rights to distribute Getty Images content in China. It dominates the commercial image licensing market.