Getty Images’ landmark UK copyright lawsuit against Stability AI kicked off at London’s High Court on Monday, with Getty firmly rejecting Stability AI’s claim that the case threatens the broader generative AI sector.
The Seattle-based visual content company alleges that Stability AI unlawfully scraped millions of Getty’s images to train its Stable Diffusion system, which generates images from text prompts. Getty has also filed a parallel lawsuit against Stability AI in the United States.
Stability AI, backed by hundreds of millions in funding and a recent investment from advertising giant WPP, denies infringing Getty’s rights. A spokesperson emphasized that the case concerns “technological innovation and freedom of ideas,” arguing that their tools enable artists to build on collective human knowledge—a core aspect of fair use and freedom of expression.
However, Stability AI’s lawyer described Getty’s lawsuit as “an overt threat” to both Stability AI’s business and the wider AI industry.
Getty’s legal team countered that their case centers on protecting intellectual property, not hindering AI development. Lawyer Lindsay Lane told the court, “It is not a battle between creatives and technology… copyright and database rights are critical to AI’s advancement. The issue arises when AI companies use protected works without payment.”
This case is among several global lawsuits addressing the use of copyrighted material to train AI models since the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. The creative sector is actively debating the legal and ethical implications, with notable artists calling for stronger protections.
Legal experts say the outcome will be pivotal in defining copyright’s role in AI, potentially influencing future government policy. Rebecca Newman, a UK lawyer not involved in the case, said, “We’re in uncharted legal territory… this case will set important boundaries on copyright monopolies in the AI era.” Similarly, Cerys Wyn Davies noted the ruling could significantly impact market practices and the UK’s appeal for AI development.