London court commences trial between Getty Images and Stability AI
Hot Off The Press: Getty Images vs Stability AI's AI Copyright Showdown
The world of stock photographs is about to witness a shakeup as Getty Images slaps UK-based AI image generator Stability AI with a high-stakes lawsuit at London's High Court. Read more
This legal tussle, set to redefine the boundaries of AI-driven intellectual property rights, centers on Getty Images accusing Stability AI of illegally copying and processing millions of copyrighted images to train its AI-generated technology. The bone of contention is Stable Diffusion, a tool owned by Stability AI, which churns out images based on text or visual prompts.
Getty Images is demanding that its copyrights have been violated by this tool, arguing that countless copyrighted images were used in the training process of Stable Diffusion. However, Stability AI denies any wrongdoing.
Precedent-setting trial
Launched to the Intellectual Property List in January 2023, this trial marks the first to reach the English High Court concerning a generative AI developer. Over the last year and a half, the parties exchanged volleys, with the court issuing several orders. The trial, scheduled to run for three weeks, kicks off on June 5, 2023, before Judge Joanna Smith.
Rebecca Newman, managing associate at Addleshaw Goddard, asserts, "Legally, we're in uncharted territory." The ensuing judgment will be closely scrutinized because it will tackle fundamental concerns about copyright law and AI technology. Newman emphasizes that the judgment will offer clarity on the UK's stance on copyright law concerning AI but admits that changes might be on the horizon if the decision is appealed or if UK legislation is updated to address emerging technologies.
UK grapples with AI boom
The UK government, alongside other countries, is dealing with the challenges presented by the AI boom, triggering an AI copyright crisis. Recently, Elton John, Dua Lipa, Paul McCartney, Sir Ian McKellen, and other leading figures within the UK's creative industry petitioned the Prime Minister to bolster copyright protections in the era of AI.
Simultaneously, Getty Images is engaged in a legal battle against Stability AI in the District of Delaware as well.
According to Alex Shandro, partner in the AI group at A&O Shearman, this case serves as a pioneer in the fight against copyright claims in the generative AI landscape. He highlights that US cases are still in their early stages; thus, this case takes the lead in setting copyright standards for generative AI development and deployment.
Recent decisions on AI training and copyright infringement in Germany and Delaware provide limited guidance. However, the Stability AI case, with its wide-ranging consequences, could reshape the landscape for both developers and users of generative AI models.
The upcoming trial between Getty Images and Stability AI is poised to establish new boundaries for AI-driven intellectual property rights in the arena of copyright law, particularly focusing on the use of copyrighted images to train AI-generated technology. The outcome of this case, involving Getty Images' allegations against Stability AI's Stable Diffusion tool, will likely influence the development and deployment of generative AI technology worldwide.
