Getty says its landmark UK copyright case doesn't threaten AI
Getty produces editorial content and creative stock images and video. (EPA Images pic)
LONDON : Getty Images' landmark copyright lawsuit against artificial intelligence company Stability AI began at London's high court today, with Getty rejecting Stability AI's contention the case posed a threat to the generative AI industry.
Seattle-based Getty, which produces editorial content and creative stock images and video, accuses Stability AI of using its images to 'train' its Stable Diffusion system, which can generate images from text inputs.
Getty, which is bringing a parallel lawsuit against Stability AI in the US, says Stability AI unlawfully scraped millions of images from its websites and used them to train and develop Stable Diffusion.
Stability AI – which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and in March announced investment by the world's largest advertising company, WPP – is fighting the case and denies infringing any of Getty's rights.
Before the trial began today, Stability AI's spokesman said 'the wider dispute is about technological innovation and freedom of ideas'.
'Artists using our tools are producing works built upon collective human knowledge, which is at the core of fair use and freedom of expression,' the spokesman said.
In court filings, Stability AI lawyer Hugo Cuddigan said Getty's lawsuit posed 'an overt threat to Stability's whole business and the wider generative AI industry'.
Getty's lawyers said that argument was incorrect and their case was about upholding intellectual property rights.
'It is not a battle between creatives and technology, where a win for Getty Images means the end of AI,' Getty's lawyer Lindsay Lane told the court.
She added: 'The two industries can exist in synergistic harmony because copyright works and database rights are critical to the advancement and success of AI… the problem is when AI companies such as Stability want to use those works without payment.'
Wider impact
Getty's case is one of several lawsuits brought in Britain, the US and elsewhere over the use of copyright-protected material to train AI models, after ChatGPT and other AI tools became widely available more than two years ago.
Creative industries are grappling with the legal and ethical implications of AI models that can produce their own work after being trained on existing material.
Prominent figures including Elton John have called for greater protections for artistes.
Lawyers say Getty's case will have a major impact on the law, as well as potentially informing government policy on copyright protections relating to AI.
'Legally, we're in uncharted territory. This case will be pivotal in setting the boundaries of the monopoly granted by UK copyright in the age of AI,' Rebecca Newman, a lawyer at Addleshaw Goddard, who is not involved in the case, said.
Cerys Wyn Davies, from the law firm Pinsent Masons, said the high court's ruling 'could have a major bearing on market practice and the UK's attractiveness as a jurisdiction for AI development'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Getty says its landmark UK copyright case doesn't threaten AI
Getty produces editorial content and creative stock images and video. (EPA Images pic) LONDON : Getty Images' landmark copyright lawsuit against artificial intelligence company Stability AI began at London's high court today, with Getty rejecting Stability AI's contention the case posed a threat to the generative AI industry. Seattle-based Getty, which produces editorial content and creative stock images and video, accuses Stability AI of using its images to 'train' its Stable Diffusion system, which can generate images from text inputs. Getty, which is bringing a parallel lawsuit against Stability AI in the US, says Stability AI unlawfully scraped millions of images from its websites and used them to train and develop Stable Diffusion. Stability AI – which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and in March announced investment by the world's largest advertising company, WPP – is fighting the case and denies infringing any of Getty's rights. Before the trial began today, Stability AI's spokesman said 'the wider dispute is about technological innovation and freedom of ideas'. 'Artists using our tools are producing works built upon collective human knowledge, which is at the core of fair use and freedom of expression,' the spokesman said. In court filings, Stability AI lawyer Hugo Cuddigan said Getty's lawsuit posed 'an overt threat to Stability's whole business and the wider generative AI industry'. Getty's lawyers said that argument was incorrect and their case was about upholding intellectual property rights. 'It is not a battle between creatives and technology, where a win for Getty Images means the end of AI,' Getty's lawyer Lindsay Lane told the court. She added: 'The two industries can exist in synergistic harmony because copyright works and database rights are critical to the advancement and success of AI… the problem is when AI companies such as Stability want to use those works without payment.' Wider impact Getty's case is one of several lawsuits brought in Britain, the US and elsewhere over the use of copyright-protected material to train AI models, after ChatGPT and other AI tools became widely available more than two years ago. Creative industries are grappling with the legal and ethical implications of AI models that can produce their own work after being trained on existing material. Prominent figures including Elton John have called for greater protections for artistes. Lawyers say Getty's case will have a major impact on the law, as well as potentially informing government policy on copyright protections relating to AI. 'Legally, we're in uncharted territory. This case will be pivotal in setting the boundaries of the monopoly granted by UK copyright in the age of AI,' Rebecca Newman, a lawyer at Addleshaw Goddard, who is not involved in the case, said. Cerys Wyn Davies, from the law firm Pinsent Masons, said the high court's ruling 'could have a major bearing on market practice and the UK's attractiveness as a jurisdiction for AI development'.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
US, China seek to extend trade truce with London talks
US President Donald Trump accused China of violating a tariff de-escalation deal last month. (AP pic) LONDON : The US and China are to sit down at the negotiating table in London today to attempt to preserve a fragile truce on trade, despite simmering tensions. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and trade representative Jamieson Greer are leading the US delegation, president Donald Trump announced on Friday. Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng – who led Beijing's negotiating team at previous talks with the US last month in Geneva – would also head the team in London, China's foreign ministry announced at the weekend. 'The meeting should go very well,' Trump said on his Truth Social platform. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told Fox News today: 'We want China and the US to continue moving forward with the agreement that was struck in Geneva.' While the UK government reiterated that it was not involved in the content of the discussions in any way, a spokesman said: 'We are a nation that champions free trade.' UK authorities 'have always been clear that a trade war is in nobody's interests, so we welcome these talks', the spokesman added. Rare earths The talks in London come just a few days after Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally held their first publicly announced telephone talks since the Republican returned to the White House. Trump said the call, which took place on Thursday, had reached a 'very positive conclusion'. Xi was quoted by state-run news agency Xinhua as saying that 'correcting the course of the big ship of Sino-US relations requires us to steer well and set the direction'. The call came after tensions between the world's two biggest economies soared, with Trump accusing Beijing of violating a tariff de-escalation deal reached in Geneva in mid-May. 'We need China to comply with their side of the deal. And so that's what the trade team will be discussing tomorrow,' Leavitt said today. A key issue in the negotiations will be Beijing's shipments of rare earths – crucial to a range of goods including electric vehicle batteries and which have been a bone of contention for some time. 'Rare earth shipments from China to the US have slowed since President Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs in April,' said Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB. 'The US wants these shipments to be reinstated, while China wants the US to rethink immigration curbs on students, restrictions on access to advanced technology including microchips, and to make it easier for Chinese tech providers to access US consumers,' she added. In April, Trump introduced sweeping worldwide tariffs that targeted China most heavily. At one point the US hit China with additional levies of 145% on its goods as both sides engaged in tit-for-tat escalation. China's countermeasures on US goods reached 125%. Then in Switzerland, after two days of talks, the two sides agreed to slash their staggeringly high tariffs for 90 days. But differences have persisted, including over China's restrictions on exporting rare earth minerals. The impact was reflected in the latest official export data released today in Beijing. Exports to the US fell 12.7% on month in May, with China shipping US$28.8 billion worth in goods last month. This is down from US$33 billion in April, according to Beijing's general administration of customs. There is also huge uncertainty around the outcome of other trade disputes. 'Green channel' Throughout its talks with Washington, China has also launched discussions with other trading partners – including Japan and South Korea – in a bid to build a united front to counter Trump's tariffs. On Thursday, Beijing turned to Canada, with the two sides agreeing to regularise their channels of communication after a period of strained ties. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang also discussed trade and the fentanyl crisis, Ottawa said. Beijing has also proposed establishing a 'green channel' to ease the export of rare earths to the European Union, and the fast-tracking approval of some export licenses. China is expected to host a summit with the EU in July, marking 50 years since Beijing and Brussels established diplomatic ties.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
TikTok to increase investment in UK, create 500 jobs
Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month. (AFP pic) LONDON : TikTok plans to raise its investment in the UK, its biggest community in Europe, with the creation of 500 more jobs, the Chinese-owned social media giant announced today. The news coincided with the start of London's Tech Week, which sees British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcoming some of sector's biggest firms. 'TikTok's UK workforce will grow to 3,000 this year with the addition of more than 500 jobs,' the company said in a statement. It added that it was investing in a new London office, set to open next year, and whose size will dwarf its current UK head office. It will take TikTok's investment in UK infrastructure to around £140 million, the group said. Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month, making it the platform's 'largest user-community in Europe', the statement added. 'Whether through direct investment in jobs and innovation, or the wider economic contribution from millions of British businesses on TikTok, we're pleased to be increasing our investment and presence here in the UK,' said Adam Presser, director of TikTok UK and global head of operations and trust and safety. TikTok has been in the crosshairs of western governments for years over fears personal data could be used by China for espionage or propaganda purposes. 'What underpins our continued growth is our deep commitment to safety and to creating an enjoyable and secure digital space to sustainably support creators, entrepreneurs and the wider economy, which is why we also invest significantly in safety,' Presser added today.
