Getty Images v. Stability AI

Summary

This case involves 5 key legal issues related to AI copyright and training data usage.

Analysis Date: 2026-01-02

What's Next

Discovery ongoing.

Possible Outcomes

Plaintiff (Getty Images) wins
If Getty Images prevails, the court's ruling could set a significant precedent on fair use limits in AI training. The key issue is whether Stability AI's use of Getty's images is transformative; Getty claims Stability's commercial use harms its market, while Stability argues the AI outputs are transformative [8, 10]. A ruling for Getty could result in millions in damages for the unauthorized use of over 12 million images [9, 11]. This may force AI companies to adopt stricter licensing agreements and operational changes, affecting their economic models and creator compensation [13, 19]. Additionally, the court's decision on trademark infringement could clarify AI developers' responsibilities regarding user-generated content, potentially increasing operational burdens [19, 20]. However, the ruling would not address broader issues of international copyright enforcement and the jurisdictional reach of UK law over global AI operations, leaving these questions for future litigation [10, 12].
Defendant (Stability AI) wins
If Stability AI wins, it would mark a significant legal victory for AI developers, supporting the notion that AI training can be considered fair use, especially if outputs are transformative [10, 12]. This could weaken Getty's market power, allowing AI companies to use large amounts of copyrighted material without permission, potentially devaluing creative works [9, 19]. The court's ruling on trademark infringement found Stability liable but limited user responsibility, prompting AI companies to adopt stricter controls over training data [19, 20]. However, questions remain about fair compensation for creators and compliance with international copyright laws [10, 12]. The ruling would not clarify database rights infringement claims, leaving creators uncertain about their protections in the evolving AI landscape [1, 11].

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