Both Shutterstock and Getty Images have decided to eliminate AI-generated content amid apprehensions about potential legal issues.
In Brief
Creative platformsThere are rising concerns about the legality surrounding AI-generated imagery.
In light of recent AI-generated image launches by Getty Images and Shutterstock, both companies have now formally prohibited the submission of AI-created artwork on their platforms. This decision stems from worries that such content could result in legal disputes in the future.
- The Coaching Knowledge Is Foggy
- Getty Images and iStock have both placed restrictions on AI-generated images, making them unavailable for sale.
- Understanding Copyright and AI Imagery: Essential Insights.
- Neither Getty nor Shutterstock is willing to risk licensing issues related to AI-generated imagery.
- What does the future hold for Getty Images in relation to AI-generated visuals?
Shortly after Getty Images made its announcement, Shutterstock echoed a similar sentiment through a post on their blog. According to them, 'Shutterstock is dedicated to maintaining business practices that respect both legal standards and ethical boundaries. Thus, we’ve resolved to withdraw all AI-generated artwork from our platform.'
The decision to remove these images has taken many in the industry by surprise, particularly since Getty Images had recently introduced a collection of AI-generated works developed by the artificial intelligence firm Obvious. Last week, they proudly announced this collection as 'a new type of digital art,' and mentioned plans to sell it under a royalty-free agreement.
Yet, following increasing concerns about the legal implications of such images, it appears the company has reconsidered its position. It remains to be seen how this might impact Getty Images’ collaboration with Obvious or whether other stock image platforms will choose to follow this path and ban AI-generated content.
The Coaching Knowledge Is Foggy
AI image generators like DALL-E tap into millions of images sourced from the web for training. Although companies behind these generators don't explicitly acknowledge it, the training data likely includes countless copyrighted materials.
For instance, one might emulate Ansel Adams' photographic style to create a dystopian scene. This approach raises questions of intertextuality and whether original artists should receive compensation for their influence on the creators of these AI tools.
Getty Images and iStock have both placed restrictions on AI-generated images, making them unavailable for sale.
Today, the renowned Getty Images has made it clear that AI-generated imagery will no longer be permitted on its platforms, including its microstock site, Stock.
Craig Peters, the CEO, shared with The Verge that moving forward, the company will reject images crafted by tools like Midjourney and DALL-E. He also confirmed the complete removal of existing AI-generated assets from their collections. Stable Diffusion In addition, Peters announced their collaboration with the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) to develop advanced AI image filters that will ensure compliance with their policies concerning the latest advancements in AI technology.
An instance of AI-generated content showcasing: Donald Trump with Coca-Cola in a futuristic neon city within the Metaverse.
Getty Images and iStock's bold move is poised to create a significant impact across the industry. It will be intriguing to observe whether other stock photo platforms will adopt similar restrictions on AI-generated content. For the moment, it appears that Getty Images and iStock are leading the way in safeguarding the integrity of their visuals.
Having previously tackled this matter in our featured article on AI imagery, titled 'Faces of AI: Permissions Must Be Secured Throughout,' the key challenge with AI-generated visuals lies in the necessity of obtaining permissions at every step; otherwise, copyright protection may not be as robust as desired.
Understanding Copyright and AI Imagery: Essential Insights.
Numerous innovative tools rely on vast collections of photos and illustrations scraped from the internet. However, many of these visuals remain protected by copyright laws or licensed through stock photo platforms. Reports indicate that select images used to train models like Stable Diffusion have indeed raised copyright issues. Once this software has absorbed these visuals, it can generate entirely original images that incorporate elements from various creators' works.
If it’s not indisputable that all copyright holders consented to the use of their work in training AI systems, then the legal standing of images produced by such systems may be compromised. With new tools emerging that detect whether images have been utilized in AI training—like Spawning’s identification tool—it seems increasingly likely that artists and others will voice concerns over their work being exploited without proper authorization. Stable Diffusion or Midjourney While users can enjoy the art they create, the underlying dataset used by the program must be entirely compliant; otherwise, there’s a chance that copyright claims could unravel even the ownership of the final product.
The restrictions imposed by Getty and Shutterstock on AI-generated media submissions arise from the legal uncertainties tied to copyright issues, as well as concerns regarding biometric data. This refers to individuals' rights to privacy concerning their images and their usage in training AI models.
It doesn’t matter that Dall-E Opting to purchase images from reputable sources is indeed a wise choice because unforeseen copyright disputes could arise over pictures that you believed were rightfully acquired.
Neither Getty nor Shutterstock is willing to risk licensing issues related to AI-generated imagery.
Given that AI-generated visuals are frequently a topic of discussion at major industry conferences, such as the upcoming DMLA Conference, it's likely that issues related to AI image licensing will continue to evolve. For the time being, however, the decision by Getty and Shutterstock to err on the side of caution regarding AI-generated imagery is certainly understandable.
The ban on AI-generated content by Getty Images is a significant setback for the rapidly growing sector of AI-created visuals. Nevertheless, considering the surrounding legal apprehensions and disputes about copyright, this development is not entirely unexpected.
The decision made by Getty Images is poised to influence other stock photo agencies, as they may opt to implement similar bans to sidestep the potential legal complications arising from AI-generated content.
What does the future hold for Getty Images in relation to AI-generated visuals?
Currently, it appears that Getty Images and iStock are at the forefront of ensuring the authenticity of their visual assets. However, as the sophistication and realism of AI-generated imagery continue to improve, it's possible that Getty Images' prohibition may serve only as a temporary measure.
Getty Images is one of the largest stock photo sites Delving into the implications and value associated with AI-generated artistry, it's essential to mention that the insights presented on this platform are not meant to serve as legal, financial, or any form of professional advice. It’s crucial to invest only what you can afford to lose and obtain independent financial counsel if needed. For detailed guidance, we encourage checking the comprehensive terms and conditions and support resources offered by the advertiser or issuer. MetaversePost is dedicated to providing accurate and unbiased content, although market conditions can change rapidly.
Damir leads the team at Metaverse Post, overseeing product management and editing roles that encompass topics related to AI, AGI, machine learning, the Metaverse, and Web3 sectors. His articles draw over a million readers each month. With a decade of expertise in SEO and digital marketing, Damir has been featured in prominent publications including Mashable, Wired, and Entrepreneur. As a digital nomad, he travels between the UAE, Turkey, Russia, and the CIS. His background in physics equips him with critical thinking abilities crucial for navigating the internet's dynamic landscape.
Related articles:
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines Cryptocurrencylistings.com has introduced CandyDrop, aiming to simplify the acquisition of cryptocurrencies while enhancing user engagement with quality projects.