Getty Images signs deal to show photos in ChatGPT results
Key Takeaways
- Getty Images will provide licensed content to ChatGPT and OpenAI search results
- The partnership reverses Getty's previous adversarial stance toward AI companies
- Getty has not disclosed whether images can be used for AI training
Getty Images has signed a multi-year deal with OpenAI to license its photo and video library for display in ChatGPT and OpenAI's search tools. The partnership marks a significant reversal for a company that spent years fighting AI firms in court.
"High-quality, licensed visual content makes AI-powered search and discovery more useful and more trustworthy," Getty CEO Craig Peters said in a statement. "This partnership with OpenAI reflects a shared recognition of that, and together we will deliver richer visual experiences to ChatGPT users."
The announcement comes less than a year after Getty signed a similar agreement with Perplexity AI. That deal included a requirement for Perplexity to display image credits with links to the source, addressing concerns about how AI tools attribute licensed content.
How did Getty go from suing AI companies to partnering with them?
Getty's relationship with AI has been complicated. In September 2022, the company banned all AI-generated art from its library. A few months later, Getty sued Stability AI, alleging the image generator had committed copyright violations by training on Getty's photos without permission. The court rejected that argument late last year.
The legal defeat appears to have shifted Getty's strategy. Rather than continue fighting in court, the company pivoted to licensing. In 2023, Getty launched its own generative AI tool, trained exclusively on its library and powered by NVIDIA's Edify model. Every image the tool produces comes with a royalty-free license.
The Perplexity deal in October 2025 signaled that Getty was open to working with AI search tools. The OpenAI partnership extends that approach to ChatGPT's massive user base.
What does this mean for ChatGPT users?
ChatGPT users should see Getty's licensed images appearing in search results and conversations. The change addresses a persistent problem with AI tools: when they surface images, the licensing and attribution are often unclear or nonexistent. Getty's library includes over 500 million photos, illustrations, and videos distributed in more than 160 countries.
The deal should reduce OpenAI's legal exposure. AI companies have faced waves of copyright lawsuits from content creators, and licensing agreements offer a straightforward defense.
Will Getty's images be used to train OpenAI's models?
Getty has not disclosed whether the OpenAI deal allows images to be used for AI training. The Perplexity agreement explicitly prohibited training on Getty content. If the OpenAI deal follows the same structure, the images would only be displayed in results, not fed into model development.
This distinction matters. Training on copyrighted images was the core allegation in Getty's lawsuit against Stability AI. If Getty is now allowing training, it would represent a complete abandonment of its earlier legal position. If training remains off-limits, the deal is purely about distribution rights.
Neither Getty nor OpenAI has clarified this point publicly.
The broader pattern: litigation to licensing
Getty's shift mirrors a trend across the content industry. News publishers, record labels, and image libraries initially responded to AI with lawsuits. Many are now signing licensing deals instead. The calculus is simple: courts have been skeptical of copyright claims against AI training, and licensing generates revenue.
Perplexity has faced its own lawsuits over alleged illegal use of copyrighted materials. The Getty partnership included requirements around image attribution, which suggests content owners can negotiate specific protections even outside of court.
OpenAI has been aggressive about signing content deals. The Getty agreement adds visual content to a portfolio that already includes partnerships with news organizations. For AI companies, these deals provide legal cover and better content. For content owners, they provide revenue from technology that's using their work regardless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Getty Images appear in all ChatGPT conversations?
Getty images will appear in ChatGPT and OpenAI search results where relevant. The exact implementation depends on how OpenAI integrates the licensed content into its tools.
Can OpenAI train its models on Getty's photos?
Getty has not disclosed whether the deal allows AI training. The company's similar deal with Perplexity explicitly prohibits training on Getty content.
Why did Getty stop fighting AI companies in court?
A court rejected Getty's copyright claims against Stability AI late last year. The legal defeat appears to have prompted a shift toward licensing deals instead of litigation.
How many images does Getty have?
Getty's library includes over 500 million photos, illustrations, and videos distributed across more than 160 countries.
Logicity's Take
Getty's pivot from plaintiff to partner says more about the courts than about AI ethics. When judges signaled they wouldn't treat AI training as copyright infringement, content owners lost their leverage. Licensing deals are the fallback. The real question is price: are these agreements worth what Getty would have won in a successful lawsuit, or is the company settling for pennies to avoid getting nothing? Until the financial terms leak, we won't know whether this is a win or a capitulation.
Need Help Implementing This?
If your company is navigating AI content licensing or building products that integrate licensed media, our team can connect you with specialists in AI copyright law and content partnerships. Contact us at hello@logicity.in.
Source: Engadget
Manaal Khan
Tech & Innovation Writer
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