Getty Images CEO Craig Peters recently told CNBC that as a major image copyright company, Getty Images is under immense financial pressure in the face of copyright disputes caused by artificial intelligence technology. He pointed out that even a large company like Getty Images struggles to afford the litigation costs for every infringement case.
Peters mentioned that Getty Images is currently suing Stability AI, a generative AI company, for using 12 million of its images without authorization to train its AI system. He admitted that this lawsuit has already cost the company a huge amount of money. He frankly said: "We cannot pursue all instances of infringement within a week because the litigation costs are prohibitively expensive." He revealed that the cost of just one case could reach millions of dollars.
In response, Stability AI admitted using some of Getty Images' pictures but denied responsibility for these actions, arguing that their use fell under fair use. Peters opposed this, stating that some companies were exploiting technological progress as an excuse for unfair competition. He emphasized that Getty Images does not oppose competition, but believes that such companies' actions are essentially theft.
The legal dispute between Getty Images and Stability AI is just one of many copyright cases in the current AI industry. Other examples, such as The New York Times' lawsuit against OpenAI and music companies' complaints about AI music generators, highlight concerns over the use of copyrighted materials in AI training.
Despite rising litigation costs and a complex and uncertain legal environment, Peters remains steadfast in supporting creators' rights. He emphasized that Getty Images' strategy goes beyond litigation and includes advocating for stronger copyright protection in policy discussions. He called on the U.S. government to oppose proposals that weaken artists' rights under the guise of AI and pointed out that current copyright laws do not hinder AI development but provide a foundation for sustainable innovation.
Peters concluded by saying that although cross-jurisdictional litigation presents challenges, he believes that globally, Getty Images' demands are strong and it will continue to strive to defend creators' rights.
Key Points:
📸 Getty Images CEO stated that litigation costs are high and it's impossible to pursue every instance of infringement.
⚖️ The company is suing Stability AI, accusing it of unauthorized use of a large number of copyrighted images.
📢 Getty Images not only defends its rights through litigation but also advocates for stronger copyright protection in policy discussions.