Ai art ban getty shutterstock

In 2022, both Getty and Shutterstock made a decision to ban AI-generated images from their platforms. However, many experts argue that this move was premature and misguided. Let’s take a closer look at why, according to AI experts and a copyright attorney.

The debate around AI image generators like Jasper Art revolves around the concept of fair use versus copyright infringement. Since these generators are trained on existing images, some argue that the resulting AI-generated images infringe on copyright laws.

As a result, there are those who completely oppose the use of AI image-creation tools. Others believe that the original creators should at least receive royalties for their work. Getty Images and Shutterstock, two prominent image providers, have taken positions on this issue.

Out of the two, Getty has taken a firm stance. CEO Craig Peters expressed concerns about the ownership of copyright and the associated legal risks. In September 2022, Getty implemented a ban on the sale of AI-generated images.

Interestingly, Shutterstock also implemented a ban, but with a different approach. The company is not against AI technology itself, but it is focused on ethical considerations. Shutterstock plans to compensate artists whose work is used to train their AI data sets.

While the intention to be fair and compensate artists is commendable, is such compensation necessary for visually-focused AI content creation tools? And were the bans by Getty and Shutterstock truly necessary? Let’s delve deeper into these questions.

3 Reasons Why Getty and Shutterstock Bans on AI-Generated Images Are Unnecessary

We spoke to experts in artificial intelligence to understand why the bans on Getty and Shutterstock are unnecessary. Here’s why they believe AI-generated images should have a place in the industry.

1. AI-generated images bring benefits for everyone

According to Amey Dharwadker, a Staff Machine Learning Engineer at Facebook, AI-generated images offer advantages for artists, consumers, and stock photo sites. Artists have new opportunities to create high-quality images and increase their income. Customers can get personalized images quickly and affordably. And stock image websites benefit from increased business as users come back for more. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Concerned about the artists whose work trained the AI? We’ll address that next.

2. The idea of “original work” is misunderstood

Some argue that AI-generated images infringe on the copyrights of human artists because they are trained on their work. However, Amey makes a good point. It’s widely accepted that no human can create an original work from scratch. All images are derived from others in some way.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that copying someone else’s work is okay. But AI art generators don’t copy. They take inspiration from multiple images and use machine learning algorithms to create something new. While there may be a gray area when it comes to images that are too similar to originals, fair use arguments can also be made.

William Scott Goldman, a trademark and copyright attorney, explains that fair use depends on factors such as the purpose of use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used, and the impact on the market value. In the case of AI-generated images, they are transformative and substantially different from the original works used to train the AI.

3. AI-generated art is still art

The definition of art varies from person to person, but let’s consider some basic definitions. Oxford Languages describes art as the expression of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form. AI art, like Jasper Art, fits this definition.

To generate an image with Jasper Art, you provide prompts and select parameters like mood, medium, inspiration, style, and keywords. This process requires creativity, skill in writing prompts, and practice to achieve the desired results. It’s a form of expression and a demonstration of creativity.

Brennan Woodruff, Co-founder and COO of GoCharlie, a generative AI company, believes that AI-generated images are just as valid as stock photography. They require an investment of time and creative direction. However, Brennan also emphasizes the importance of giving credit to the data and artists used to train the AI models.

Discover the Exciting Potential of AI Art and the Future of Stock Photo Sites!

Don’t underestimate the power of AI-generated art! In fact, it could revolutionize the way image providers like Getty Images and Shutterstock operate. Are they ready to embrace this innovative form of creativity? There’s a chance!

Here’s how we see it unfolding:

According to expert Brennan, we might see a combination of “open-source models” and “certified models” where artists contribute their works to benefit the long-term use of AI. In return, those with existing intellectual property libraries could receive royalties through licensing their content for training.

We already know that AI art brings benefits to artists, consumers, and stock photo sites. Plus, the fair use exception under the Copyright Act can often apply. So, an arrangement like this could be the answer for companies concerned about compensating creators whose works are used by AI.

But what if stock photo sites keep resisting?

There’s another exciting possibility – the emergence of AI art-specific marketplaces. Many companies behind AI image creation tools might create their own platforms. After all, their users already embrace the technology and would be eager to share and download AI-generated art created by fellow users.

Only time will tell which prediction proves more accurate, or if both become reality.

In the meantime, why not unleash your creativity with Jasper Art? And if you’re in the business of content creation, don’t miss out on a free trial of Jasper. These two incredible tools can help you generate stunning images or write high-converting content with ease! So go ahead, let your imagination soar.