LONDON (AP) - Getty Images has decided to drop copyright infringement allegations from its ongoing lawsuit against the artificial intelligence company Stability AI, as closing arguments commenced on Wednesday at the High Court in Britain. This decision marks a pivotal moment in a case that has garnered significant attention and is expected to set precedents affecting both the creative and technology sectors.
The Seattle-based Getty Images had previously accused Stability AI, which operates the widely-used AI image generator Stable Diffusion, of asserting intellectual property rights violations. These claims included accusations of copyright, trademark, and database rights infringement stemming from the alleged use of Getty's images by Stability AI.
By withdrawing the copyright claims, Getty signals a shift in strategy, suggesting that the company may not have confidence in the viability of its copyright allegations moving forward. After hearing witness testimonies and expert evaluations, Getty chose to focus on pursuing claims related to trademark infringement, passing off, and secondary infringement of copyright, as articulated in their written closing arguments.
In line with its adjusted legal strategy, Getty maintains that Stability AI infringed its trademark because the AI's training process utilized images that contained Getty's watermarks, which were sometimes replicated by the AI during image generation. Furthermore, Getty argues that Stability indirectly infringed upon its copyright, positing that despite the AI models being trained outside Britain, local laws still apply if the models generate images within British jurisdiction.
On the other hand, Stability AI contends that the jurisdiction of the case does not belong in the United Kingdom. The company argues that the AI model's training occurred on servers operated by Amazon in the United States, therefore challenging the applicability of UK law to the case.
In a statement following Getty's withdrawal of multiple claims, Stability AI expressed satisfaction with the development. The company acknowledged the UK court's efforts in addressing the complex issues at stake and stated, "We are pleased to see Getty's decision to drop multiple claims after the conclusion of testimony. We look forward to the court's final judgment."
As the week progresses, closing arguments are anticipated to continue until Friday, with a formal written decision from the judge expected to be issued at a later date. This lawsuit is one of the first high-profile legal battles concerning the intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property rights, heralding possible pivotal changes in how AI technologies can legally utilize artwork and other creative content.
