Stability AI Achieves Partial Triumph in UK High Court Copyright Case
Stability AI has successfully defended aspects of its operations against allegations of copyright infringement in a notable ruling from the UK High Court. In a case initiated by Getty Images in 2023, the court found that Stability AI did not unlawfully copy images to train its Stable Diffusion AI art generation tool, despite Getty’s claims that millions of copyright-protected images were used without authorization.
Initially, Getty claimed that Stability AI had engaged in serious copyright violations by utilizing its images without permission. However, the Seattle-based firm was able to demonstrate that evidence of direct copyright infringement within the UK was insufficient, leading Getty to withdraw its primary claims.
The ruling, presided over by Justice Joanna Smith, focused instead on secondary infringement allegations. Justice Smith concluded that because Stable Diffusion does not store or reproduce any copyrighted works, it does not constitute an “infringing copy” under UK copyright law. The court acknowledged some instances of Getty’s imagery being used, albeit limited in scope and historic in nature, as evidenced by traceable watermarks.
Key takeaways from the ruling include:
– The court’s differentiation between primary and secondary copyright infringement.
– A reassertion that responsibility for trademark infringements lies with the AI model provider, not individual users.
– The establishment that AI models, like Stable Diffusion, can be subject to copyright claims similar to physical works.
In a statement, Getty asserted that the ruling validated its concerns regarding intellectual property rights in the realm of AI, emphasizing the need for clearer guidelines to protect creators. Conversely, Stability AI’s general counsel, Christian Dowell, expressed relief that the court’s decision addressed the core copyright concerns initially posed.
The ruling comes shortly after Getty Images secured a licensing agreement with Perplexity AI, allowing access to Getty’s vast media library under specific conditions to enhance legal usage education. As discussions on copyright in AI technologies continue to evolve, both companies are preparing to navigate shifting legal landscapes.
