Perplexity Keeps Growing and Growing: It Signed a Licensing Deal with Getty Images for Image Data

Post Summary:

• AI search startup Perplexity has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Getty Images to legally use its vast library of photos.
• The move comes as Perplexity faces multiple lawsuits and accusations of plagiarism for scraping content without permission.
• The deal is structured differently from typical AI training data licenses, likely based on performance and attribution rather than a lump sum.
• This partnership aims to improve user experience by providing high-quality, properly credited images and could set a new standard for AI and content creators.

A Landmark Deal Changes the AI Search Landscape

In a significant move for the AI world, Getty Images and Perplexity have announced a multi-year licensing agreement. This deal allows Perplexity to feature content from Getty’s massive collection for its AI users. According to Nick Unsworth, Vice President of Strategic Development at Getty Images, “Getty Images and Perplexity have signed a multi-year licensing agreement to show Getty content to Perplexity AI users.” This partnership is seen as a major step for Perplexity to legitimize its use of images and move past the controversies that have clouded its impressive growth, as noted in a recent TechBuzz report. The agreement retroactively legitimizes previous use of Getty photos, signaling the company’s effort to address accusations of scraping that have dogged its rapid expansion.

How Perplexity’s Growth Led to Content Controversy

Perplexity’s rapid rise in the AI search space hasn’t been without its troubles. The company has found itself in hot water over how it handles copyrighted material. As one TechBuzz editorial analysis put it, “Perplexity just made its biggest move yet to clean up its copyright mess.” The timing is crucial. Perplexity has been battling accusations of plagiarism and legal headaches, including a pending lawsuit from Reddit filed in October that alleges “industrial-scale, unlawful” data scraping. These issues aren’t new; publications like TechCrunch have reported on allegations of illegal scraping against the company for years.

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Getty Images’ Perspective on AI and Content Creators

From Getty Images’ point of view, this deal is about acknowledging the value of creative work in the age of AI. Nick Unsworth stated, “We are pleased to reach this agreement with Perplexity, which acknowledges the importance of properly attributed content and its value in enhancing AI-powered products.” He added that the agreement paves the way for a collaborative partnership where both companies will work to improve attribution for contributors. This move helps ensure that the creators behind the images receive the credit they deserve.

A New Model for AI Content Licensing

What makes this deal particularly interesting is its structure. It’s not your typical licensing agreement. Since Perplexity doesn’t train its own large-scale AI models like Google or OpenAI, it isn’t paying the massive lump-sum fees usually seen in AI data deals. According to industry sources cited by TechBuzz, it seems to be a performance-based arrangement tied to how images are actually used and credited. This could set a new precedent for how AI companies license content in the future.

Perplexity’s Position on Attribution and the Future

Perplexity frames this partnership as a core part of its mission. Jessica Chan, Perplexity’s Head of Content and Publisher Partnerships, emphasized that “Attribution and accuracy are fundamental to how people should understand the world in an age of AI.” She also noted that Getty Images shares their belief that the future of AI-powered discovery requires respecting creators.

How the Partnership Changes the User Experience

So, what does this mean for people using Perplexity? The platform will gain access to Getty’s extensive library of creative and editorial images to display in its search results. As reported by PetaPixel, Perplexity has committed to improving how it displays these images, including better credits, links to the source, and other resources to help users understand legal image use. This should lead to a richer and more reliable experience for anyone using the service, much like having a powerful AI assistant like Gemini on the new Google Pixel 9a.

Is This a Turning Point for AI and Copyright?

The deal could be a pivotal moment. Perplexity has previously argued that its use of public content falls under ‘fair use’ because facts aren’t copyrightable. That argument became harder to defend when reports showed Perplexity lifting entire photos alongside scraped articles. This partnership suggests a shift from confrontation to collaboration. As Nick Unsworth of Getty Images commented, such partnerships help AI platforms improve the quality and accuracy of information, creating a more engaging and reliable experience for consumers.

What’s Next for Perplexity

This Getty Images partnership is a significant win for Perplexity, marking its first major content licensing victory. It’s a clear sign that the company is looking to move beyond its controversial past and toward sustainable growth. Jessica Chan’s statement that “the future of AI-powered discovery requires respecting the creators behind the content” underscores this new direction. It will be interesting to see if this leads to more partnerships with other media companies, potentially reshaping the debate around AI and web traffic.

The Stakes for the Broader AI and Media Industry

This deal between a rising AI star and a legacy media giant highlights a growing trend toward legal clarity and responsible practices in the AI industry. However, the larger debate over fair use and fair compensation for creators is far from over. While partnerships signal progress, the fundamental questions about how AI interacts with copyrighted material will continue to be a central issue for both tech companies and media outlets.