Instagram says it now has the right to sell your photos

In its first big policy shift since Facebook bought the photo-sharing site, Instagram claims the right to sell users' photos without payment or notification. Oh, and there's no way to opt out.

 Read the full article HERE.
 

Prince William vows to protect pregnant Kate Middleton from the paparazzi

Prince William refuses to be “hounded” by paparazzi in the wake of the baby news, which emerged after the Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to hospital due to acute morning sickness, a source close to the heir to the throne has revealed.

Since news of the pregnancy, the world’s media have gathered outside the hospital where Kate is being treated.

However, William will reportedly not allow a repeat of what happened with his mother, Princess Diana of Wales, Stuff.co.nz reported.

The princess died in a car accident in 1997, and was shadowed by the press throughout her life.

In September, French magazine Closer printed topless pictures of Catherine as she and Prince William were enjoying a holiday in Provence, sparking international scandal and a lawsuit.

William will not allow Catherine or his unborn child to undergo similar media pressure, according to sources.

“William has always had a distrust, bordering on outright loathing, for the press,” a source told Radar Online.

“It all stems from his childhood - watching the way his mother was built up and then torn down by the media and ultimately, he strongly believes to this day, hounded to her death by overzealous paparazzi.

“He has vowed to do everything in his power to protect Kate from the media frenzy surrounding her pregnancy and Heaven help anyone who crosses the line,” the source said.

The source added that at William’s behest the Queen instructed Palace bigwigs to individually call all of the chiefs at the British newspapers immediately following the pregnancy announcement and warn them, “in no uncertain terms, that if any lines are crossed, any intrusive paparazzi shots are purchased and published, or if Kate feels hounded in anyway there will be hell to pay.

“William was deeply hurt and angered by the topless photo scandal Kate was forced to endure over the summer, and has made it crystal clear that, make no mistake, he will not allow his wife to be subjected to such blatant intrusion and humiliation ever again,” the source said.

Judge throws out anti-paparazzi charges in Justin Bieber chase case

A Los Angeles Superior court judge threw out charges related to a first-of-its-kind anti-paparazzi law Wednesday in the case of a freelance photographer who was charged in connection with a freeway chase involving pop star Justin Bieber.

Judge Thomas Rubinson ruled that while Los Angeles city prosecutors could proceed with two traffic-related charges against Paul Raef, the two counts related to the state law did not pass Constitutional muster.

Passed in  2010, the law punishes paparazzi driving dangerously to obtain images they will sell. But Rubinson said the law violated First Amendment protections by overreaching and potentially affecting such people as wedding photographers or photographers speeding to a location where a celebrity was present.

Attorney David S. Kestenbaum, one of the lawyers representing Raef, said Wednesday he was pleased by the judge's decision, which showed his client was simply doing his job.

"The judge said that when you are talking about people doing their job and yet running the risk of additional criminal punishment, it has a chilling effect from anyone from newsgathers to wedding photographers and even real estate agents," Kestenbaum said. "It just a lesson in constitutional law.

The ruling comes less than six months after Bieber was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol on the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley and cited for driving his Fisker sports car at high speed. The pop star said then he was being chased by a freelance paparazzo later identified as Raef.

Los Angeles city prosecutors filed charges against the 30-year-old photographer for allegedly chasing Bieber and then speeding off when police tried to pull over both Bieber and Raef.

The charges included four misdemeanors: reckless driving, failing to obey a peace officer, and two counts of following another vehicle too closely and reckless driving, with the intent to capture pictures for commercial gain.

With the dismissal of the latter charges, Raef still faces the potential of six months in county jail.

Bieber was involved in another traffic incident Tuesday. He was pulled over in a white Ferarri around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 600 block of Hayward Avenue in West Hollywood and was cited for making an unsafe left turn and having an expired registration, Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said.

Kanye West Explodes On The Paps After Dinner With Kim Kardashian

If you're not 'bout that life, you might want to rethink what you ask Kanye West.

Kim Kardashian and her new rapper boo had just finished dinner at Prime 112 in Miami, when one of the sea of paparazzi got brave enough to ask about Kimmy's ex Reggie Bush, who was enjoying his own meal right across the street.

Turns out that this didn't go over well for the "White Dress" rapper. Yeezy got so angry, he tried to snatch the camera from the female paparazzi, while a super sexy Kim looked on and held her man back.

According to TMZ:


Kanye and Kim Kardashian were leaving a dinner date in Miami Beach, when the photog -- NOT OURS -- shouted, "Kim did you know Reggie is here [in Miami] having dinner?"

The pap continued, "Did you wanna go congratulate him on his pregnancy?"

That's when Kanye snapped -- angrily rushing after the female pap after grasping for her camera -- but never actually striking the woman.

In the flicks, you can clearly see the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star a bit amused by the whole thing, while she calms Kanye down by holding onto his arm.

Things eventually cool down and KimYe goes on their way.

All this happened, just because Reggie (who is signed to the Miami Dolphins) and his pregnant girlfriend Lilit Avagyan, wanted to go to Prime Itailian at the same time KimYe went to Prime 112.

Photographer charged in Bieber chase opposes 'anti-paparazzi' law

A freelance photographer who allegedly chased singer Justin Bieber on the 101 Freeway earlier this year and became the first person arrested and charged under the state’s new anti-paparazzi law is now waging a constitutional challenge to the law.

Paul Raef, 30, faces four misdemeanor charges in connection with the July 6 incident: reckless driving, failing to obey a peace officer, and two counts of following another vehicle too closely and reckless driving, with the intent to capture pictures for commercial gain.

If convicted, he faces up to a year in county jail and fines totaling $3,500. A hearing in the case is set for Sept. 24.

Raef’s attorneys say the law, signed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, violates the 1st Amendment. The law specifically targets “commercial” photographers who pursue celebrities.

“It punishes only the press for engaging in news-gathering,” said Dmitry Gorin, one of Raef’s attorneys. “The law does not apply to a crazed fan following a celebrity, nor does it punish a reporter who is not paid for the photographs.”

Paparazzi photographers have the same constitutional protection as any member of the press, he said.
City Atty. Carmen Trutanich’s office, which supported the law and is prosecuting the case, declined to discuss the case. But constitutional legal experts say the city attorney faces a considerable legal challenge.

“A court is going to demand that the government show the paparazzi cause a special problem in this area that other drivers aren’t causing,” said Barry McDonald, a Pepperdine constitutional law professor. “Even if they meet that standard, the court will also require they show there isn’t another way to go about it. The government is going to have a heavy burden of justification and I don’t think the government is going to meet that justification.”

Raef, 30, was not arrested during his alleged pursuit of Bieber. However, his license plate was reported to police, who investigated and presented the case to city prosecutors.

Bieber was pulled over by the CHP, but a Toyota Rav 4 -- later determined to be Raef's -- was among the vehicles that fled the scene, authorities said. About 30 minutes after Bieber was ticketed, the singer called 911 and said he was again being followed by a Toyota involved in the previous pursuit. CHP officers found a vehicle with the same license plate and identified Raef as the driver.

During his pursuit of Bieber, Raef was seen driving at speeds well in excess of 80 mph across all lanes and even, at times, on the shoulder, prosecutors allege. Other motorists were forced to apply their brakes and swerve to avoid colliding with the vehicles. As it pursued Bieber’s vehicle, the Toyota forced its way into lanes of traffic despite having no room to merge safely.

NYPD Violently Arrest NY Times Photog for 2nd Time Since 2004; Smash Camera into his Face Before Confiscating it

Robert Stolarik, the New York Times photographer who had a run-in with NYPD officers in December at an Occupy Wall Street protest, was arrested Saturday night while on assignment.

This time, the Times decided to write about it.

Stolarik was covering a brewing street fight when a New York City police officer slammed the camera into his face.

The Times said he was then dragged down and kicked in the back by several other officers.

Despite all that, police say he “violently resisted being handcuffed.”

Gawker stated that he "was shoved, punched, stomped on, kicked and had his camera confiscated and smashed."

The Times said another journalist shot a video showing Stolarik face-down beneath several officers, but for that has not been posted yet.

According to the New York Times:


Mr. Stolarik was taking photographs of the arrest of a teenage girl about 10:30 p.m., when a police officer instructed him to stop doing so. Mr. Stolarik said he identified himself as a journalist for The Times and continued taking pictures. A second officer appeared, grabbed his camera and “slammed” it into his face, he said.

Mr. Stolarik said he asked for the officers’ badge numbers, and the officers then took his cameras and dragged him to the ground; he said that he was kicked in the back and that he received scrapes and bruises to his arms, legs and face.

The Police Department said in a statement that officers had been trying to disperse the crowd and had given “numerous lawful orders” for both the crowd and Mr. Stolarik to move back, but that he tried to push forward, “inadvertently” striking an officer in the face with his camera.

The police said that Mr. Stolarik then “violently resisted being handcuffed” and that, in the process, a second officer was cut on the hand.

Update: Stolarik was also arrested by NYPD as he was covering the 2004 Republican National Convention.

Downtown Express, which reported on his arrest at the time, has a vivid photo of police holding him down on the ground that looks eerily similar to the description of his latest arrest.

News photographer Robert Stolarik was taking pictures of an arrest Tuesday near Union Square Park when he says police tackled him to the ground and cuffed his hands so tightly he thought it cut off his circulation.

Thursday he was wearing two casts because doctors feared he could have fractured two bones in his wrists. He’s more concerned about being allowed to do his job than he is with his injuries. “It’s the most uncomfortable I’ve ever been as a journalist and I’ve had a gun to my head in Colombia,” Stolarik, 35, said. “All of your rights can be take away instantly.”

The Crazy Zoom of a 1700mm Nikon Lens

Check out Nikon’s 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8P lens. 

Nikon launched a prototype of the lens in 1990 for newspaper photographers covering baseball in Japan. The sample photos above show the lens’ ridiculous reach. A standard 50mm FoV can be seen on the left, while the right photo shows what the same scene looks like at 1700mm.

UC pays to settle photographer's suit over arrest

The University of California has agreed to dish out a $162,500 settlement to David Morse, a 43-year-old photographer who was arrested back in 2009 while covering a student protest. The SF Chronicle writes,

[The suit] an officer told Morse, “We want your camera. We believe your camera contains evidence of a crime.”

The officers ignored his press pass and arrested him and seven others on suspicion of rioting, threatening an education official, attempted burglary, attempted arson of an occupied building, vandalism, and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, the suit said.

Morse spent the night in jail. Prosecutors declined to file charges.

But police obtained a search warrant and used several of his photos in brochures and online in hopes that the public could identify individuals.

As part of the settlement, the police department has also agreed to modify its procedures regarding seeking materials from journalists and will be conducting training sessions teaching its officers about media rights.

UC pays to settle photographer’s suit over arrest (via PDN Pulse)

ACLU-NJ Releases Police Accountability Smartphone App

Android app allows citizens to record and store video and audio of police encounters, includes guide to citizens’ rights.

Citizens can hold police accountable in the palms of their hands with “Police Tape,” a smartphone application from the ACLU of New Jersey that allows people to securely and discreetly record and store interactions with police, as well as provide legal information about citizens’ rights when interacting with the police. Thanks to the generosity of app developer OpenWatch, the ACLU-NJ is providing Police Tape to the public free of charge.

NYPD Publishes Poster of "Professional Agitators," aka Citizens who Record Cops

The New York City Police Department issued a notice to officers to be aware of a pair of “professional agitators” who like to video record police performing their duties.

It was the agitators themselves who discovered the flyer when they walked inside the 30^th Precinct for a community board meeting.

This is how Christina Gonzalez Nysid, who captured the flyer on video, described it on Youtube:

Walked into the monthly 30th Precinct community board meeting to discover our own faces hanging on the podium. It reads
Be aware that the subjects are known professional agitators that live at [our address posted on poster]. Above subjects mo is that they video tape officers performing routine stops and post on youtube. Subjects purpose is to portray officers in a negative way and too deter officers from conducting there responsibilities. Above subjects also deter officers from being safe and tactical by causing unnecessary distractions. Do not feed into subjects propaganda.

Getty Draws Initial Bids in Auction of $4 Billion

Getty Images has received around $4 billion in initial bids related to a potential sale as it progresses to the second round of an auction, people close to the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

The Seattle-based photo agency holds an archive of tens of millions of photographs, including those taken of Lyndon Johnson when he was being sworn in following the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

On its web site, Getty says its archive photos collection cover "America from its birth to present day," including "an array of photos, maps, fine art and engravings from legendary sources like Pictorial Parade, FPG and George Eastman House.”

The agency distributes its photos and videos to media and other organizations.

Buyout company Hellman & Friedman took Getty private in 2008 in a leveraged buyout that valued the photo agency at $2.4 billion. A group of investors, including Getty’s co-founder, Mark Getty, that together hold a minority stake in the company, are expected to roll over their investment and strike a new deal with the incoming private equity owner,

Getty’s owners had also been considering an initial public offering, however people close to the matter told the newspaper that those plans are on the back burner.

Alec Baldwin's Daughter Blames Paparazzi Clash on Wedding Stress

Alec Baldwin was suffering from "wedding stress" when he clashed with members of the paparazzi on the eve of his nuptials on Friday (29Jun12), according to his teenage daughter.

The 30 Rock star hit the headlines last week when he approached a snapper who had been camped outside his New York apartment complex and grabbed his arm in a bid to escort the photographer away from the building.

In video footage of the incident, a visibly-upset Baldwin can be heard telling the paparazzo, "I want you to shut the f**k up and get outta here", before heading back into his home.

It was the 54 year old's second recent bust-up with the media - he is currently under investigation over claims he attacked a New York Daily News staffer outside a courthouse after obtaining a marriage licence last month (Jun12).

However, Baldwin's daughter Ireland, from his first marriage to actress Kim Basinger, has come to her father's defence over the public tirades, insisting her dad lost his temper as a result of the stress of planning his wedding to yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas.

Speaking to the New York Post before the nuptials, Ireland said, "(He is) actually a very mellow guy, and since he changed his diet, he's been doing so much better... This is all just wedding stress".

The actor exchanged vows with Thomas, 28, on Saturday (30Jun12) at Manhattan's St.

Patrick's Old Cathedral, in front of guests including the groom's brothers Stephen and Billy, his 30 Rock co-star Tina Fey and director Woody Allen.

Baldwin's security team were on high alert at the event and made it clear the paparazzi were unwelcome outside the wedding venue - one photographer was forcefully removed from the area as he tried to snap images of the bridal party arriving at the church.

Baldwin fights another photographer outside home

Alec Baldwin fights with another photographer on the street outside his apartment today.

Yoga isn’t having much of calming effect on rageaholic Alec Baldwin.

Hot-headed actor Alec Baldwin went after another photographer this morning, roughing up a shutterbug even as the shooter was trying to get away from the “30 Rock” brute.



Video footage showed Splash photographer Brian Prahl walking away from Baldwin when the actor chased him down and forcibly grabbed the shooter's left arm.

“What are you squeezing my arm for,” the photographer pleaded. “You’re breaking my arm .. all we’re doing is taking your picture.”

The shooter’s calm reasoning set off Baldwin.

“I want you to shut the f--k up and get outta here, I want you to get outta here,” screamed Baldwin, who is getting married tomorrow to his young yoga instructor gal pal Hilaria Thomas. "Leave my neighbor alone."

Prahl explained: “I was just telling you to have a good wedding,”

Again, Baldwin refused to be calm.

“Shut up, shut up. Leave my neighbor alone,” seethed Baldwin.

Video showed one of Baldwin’s lackeys desperately trying to block other shooters from photographing the actor’s latest meltdown.

“Did you hear what I said, did you hear what I said?!” seethed Baldwin, as he menacingly backed the smaller man into a parked van.

Then the TV tough guy, with a pink stuffed animal under his left arm, sneered with no sense of irony: “You little girl.”

The video didn’t show what might have preceded Baldwin’s latest explosion.

VideoBaldwin got physical with a photographer today outside his apartment.

Photographers boycott Stone Roses gigs in contract row

Photographers are planning to boycott the Stone Roses reunion concerts in Manchester this weekend in a dispute over the use of their images.

They claim a contract issued by the band is unfair as it expects them to surrender all rights to their pictures.

The National Union of Journalists is supporting the boycott.

A spokesman for the band denied there was a boycott and said a full quota of photographers will be covering the gigs. Rights

The Stone Roses will play three gigs at Heaton Park in Manchester this weekend.

It is claimed that photographers covering the gigs were initially asked to sign a contract which would see the Stone Roses pay £1 to own all the rights to the pictures.

It also stated the images could be used across all merchandise without crediting the photographers.

An improved contract was produced on Monday but it too has been rejected by photographers.

Photographer Ian Tilton, who is encouraging his colleagues to take part in the boycott, has photographed the Stone Roses on several occasions.

His images have previously been used for some of the band's album covers.

He said it is unacceptable for the band to expect photographers to surrender their copyright meaning pictures could only be used in the magazine which commissioned them.

"I understand that the Stone Roses want to make money from the pictures. But I don't agree that the photographers can only use the pictures once, for one publication," said Mr Tilton.

"The photographers should be allowed to earn money from the pictures they take," he added. Assistance

John Toner, from the National Union of Journalists, said they will provide every assistance to the photographers.

"Too many musical artistes now wish to grab rights from photographers. Having said that, people are surprised that the Stone Roses have chosen to go down this route.

"We fully understand why a band would wish to retain merchandising rights, and the photographers would be happy to concede this. Equally, a photographer must have the right to license editorial use of images without obtaining the band's permission for each use," he said.

The Stone Roses press agent, Murray Chalmers, said it is normal for contracts to be signed and, as far as they are concerned, "there is no boycott".

"We have a complete list, a full quota of photographers who are covering the concerts," he added.

Alec Baldwin Guards Wedding From Potential Paparazzi

The details of Alec Baldwin’s big day are on a need-to-know basis.

The “30 Rock” star is expected to wed his yoga instructor fiancee Hilaria Thomas Saturday at downtown Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. The New York Post reported that because the happy couple is wary of paparazzi — Baldwin scuffled with a New York Daily News photographer last week — they have yet to tell guests where the reception will take place.

But a source close to Baldwin told ABCNews.com that’s nonsense. “Everyone knows where to go,” the source said, adding that while Baldwin and Thomas didn’t send out traditional wedding invites, “the idea that they are not telling people” details “is just not true.”

Rihanna's Bodyguard Punches Paparazzi in London

Rihanna's bodyguard punched a photographer in the face when he got too close to the singer, reports TMZ. The altercation was caught on camera, which sees the burly bodyguard smack his fist onto the photographer's face. Rihanna had just got inside her car after coming out of the Whiskey Mist nightclub in London when the incident happened.

Alec Baldwin Dressed As Ghost To Avoid Photographers

This is Alec Baldwin adjusting a white covering over his head on the Upper East Side today 

 

Earlier today, hot-headed actor Alec Baldwin ended up having a rage attack against a pair of Daily News photographers in lower Manhattan, allegedly punching one. Baldwin had been at the marriage bureau to get a marriage license with fiancee Hilaria Thomas when he became upset at the photographers trying to take pictures of him. So later in the day, Baldwin decided the only way he could avoid photographers was to wear a white covering (sheet? blanket? big towel?) over his head while on an Upper East Side sidewalk. Hey, doesn't he know the bride wears the veil?!

As for the morning incident, News photographer Marcus Santos says he had been waiting to take pictures of City Councilman Larry Seabrook (you know, the $177 bagel politician), and, after getting the Seabrook photo, he was called away to get a shot of Baldwin. There, Santos noticed that fellow News photographer Jefferson Siege had attracted Baldwin's ire.

So Santos tried to defend Siegel, only for Baldwin to direct his anger at him: "That's when Alec Baldwin turned around and came after me and started punching me and pushing me. I say stop, stop don't touch me, and as you see in the pictures, I was far away from him and he lunged at me like 'Raging Bull.' And I didn't think that could happen to me because I usually tend to be nice to everybody, I tend to respect everybody, I always give everybody space."


While Baldwin's rep insisted that the actor didn't punch anyone (and blamed the photographer for getting physical), freelance photographer Goran Veljic told the Post that Baldwin hit Santos. He added that Baldwin seemed really angry, "I don't know why -- you're getting married, you should be happy. It was very unusual... I was scared. I moved inside. I thought maybe he was crazy."

Alec Baldwin Did Not Punch New York Daily News Photographer, Says Rep

Alec Baldwin got in a heated scuffle with a New York Daily News photographer on Tuesday morning.

The Daily News published an account of the incident, in which the paper alleges the "30 Rock" actor punched photographer Marcus Santos outside of the city Marriage License Bureau on Worth Street.

According to the paper, Baldwin and his fiancee Hilaria Thomas were exiting the building after just obtaining a marriage license.

Santos and other paparazzi were waiting outside when the 54-year-old actor approached with "an angry glare." The actor reportedly asked the photographers to step back and Santos claims they began to give Baldwin some space. Baldwin then allegedly grabbed another Daily News photographer, and Santos demanded that the actor back off.

"I said, 'Don’t touch him.' I knew he was going to attack me. I stepped back, and he kept coming," Santos told the paper. "He comes after me, starts shoving and punching me — one time, right in the chin. And then he started shoving me, and pushing me. Then he goes the other way.”

Baldwin addressed this morning's incident on Twitter, claiming that one of the photographers nearly hit him in the face with his camera.

@alecbaldwin
AB

A "photographer" almost hit me in the face with his camera this morning. #allpaparazzishouldbewaterboarded

June 19, 2012 2:21 pm via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

Later, in response to the paper's story, Baldwin tweeted: "@nydnbrooklyn @nydailynews Ever since that English Queen took over the Daily News, they lie like the Post."

Baldwin followed up his last tweet, by making a reference to the Trayvon Martin case, writing:

@alecbaldwin
AB

I suppose if the offending paparazzi was wearing a hoodie and I shot him, it would all blow over...

June 19, 2012 3:52 pm via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

The actor's rep, Matthew Hiltzik, released a statement to The Huffington Post, denying the actor ever threw a punch at the photographer:

"As Alec and his fiancee were leaving City Hall, a 'civilian' walking in front of Alec positioned himself to obstruct the view of a photographer aggressively trying to shoot the couple. The photographer was clearly frustrated, pushed past the bystander and assaulted Alec with his camera. There were no punches thrown, and any subsequent physical contact was simply Alec protecting himself."

This isn't the first time Baldwin has become frustrated with members of the New York media. In April, the star tweeted that he was leaving NBC, because of "Today Show" cameras that were parked outside his Manhattan home while covering the arrest of his alleged stalker.

“A story about stalking sure brings out the stalkers in the media. But, the Today Show?” Baldwin tweeted, later adding,“The television crew camped outside my apt said they were with the Today Show. #howthemightyhavefallen,” read another tweet.

Alec Baldwin Makes Trayvon Martin Quip After Paparazzi Clash

He snapped Alec Baldwin's photograph – and then the actor, well, snapped.

Daily News photographer Marcus Santos says that the Rock of Ages star, 54, got physical with him Tuesday morning as Santos stood with other photographers outside Manhattan's Marriage License Bureau.

"He comes after me, starts shoving and punching me, one time right in the chin," he tells the newspaper. "He started shoving me and pushing me. Then he goes the other way."

But the 30 Rock star's rep Matthew Hiltzik refutes the photographer's account, telling PEOPLE, "As Alec and his fiancée were leaving City Hall, a 'civilian' walking in front of Alec positioned himself to obstruct the view of a photographer aggressively trying to shoot the couple. The photographer was clearly frustrated, pushed past the bystander and assaulted Alec with his camera. There were no punches thrown, and any subsequent physical contact was simply Alec protecting himself."

Afterward, Baldwin, who presumably was getting a license to wed fiancée Hilaria Thomas, later took to Twitter with a reference to the Trayvon Martin case.

"A 'photographer' almost hit me in the face with his camera this morning. #allpaparazzishouldbewaterboarded," he wrote, adding, "I suppose if the offending paparazzi was wearing a hoodie and I shot him, it would all blow over."

Getty Images owners weigh sale or IPO

The owners of Getty Images Inc, the largest supplier of stock photos, video and other digital content, have retained bankers to examine a possible sale or public offering of the business, a person close to the matter said Tuesday.

Hellman & Friedman, the U.S. private equity fund which bought the business four years ago for $2.4 billion, is working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc  and JPMorgan Chase & Co, the source said.

A sale or IPO of Getty could value the company at $4 billion, the source said.

Hellman & Friedman and JPMorgan declined to comment. Goldman Sachs was not immediately available for comment.

The news was reported earlier by the Financial Times.