Getty Images partners with OpenAI after years of AI copyright battles

Getty Images, long known for criticizing AI companies over unlicensed training data, has entered a formal partnership with OpenAI to supply licensed photos for ChatGPT’s search and discovery features. The deal allows ChatGPT to integrate Getty’s professional imagery directly into responses, aiming to make AI‑generated answers more trustworthy and grounded in properly sourced content. The move marks a major shift in the AI copyright debate, signaling that major rights holders may prefer licensing agreements over legal battles. For OpenAI, the partnership unlocks access to one of the world’s largest archives of editorial, historical, and commercial photography. For Getty, it offers a new revenue stream while reinforcing its stance that AI should rely on licensed material. The collaboration suggests the AI industry is entering a new phase where cooperation replaces conflict.

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