AI search startup Perplexity secures multi-year licensing deal with Getty Images
Perplexity, an AI search startup, has recently announced a significant partnership with Getty Images through a multi-year licensing agreement. This collaboration grants Perplexity access to display Getty’s vast collection of images across its AI-powered search and discovery tools. The deal signifies a strategic move for Perplexity, aiming to establish formal content partnerships amidst previous allegations of content scraping and plagiarism.
According to a source familiar with the agreement, Perplexity and Getty have been working together for over a year, with Getty previously participating in Perplexity’s Publishers’ Program. This initiative involved revenue sharing with publishers when their content appeared in search results, showcasing a mutual benefit for both parties.
While specifics of the new licensing deal remain undisclosed, it is a departure from traditional lump sum agreements due to Perplexity’s reliance on external foundational models. This agreement with Getty serves to legitimize Perplexity’s past use of Getty’s stock photos, addressing previous plagiarism accusations from various news outlets.
The partnership with Getty enables Perplexity to enhance its image display capabilities and ensure proper attribution with links back to the original source. Nick Unsworth, Vice President of Strategic Development at Getty, emphasized the importance of attributed consent in enhancing AI-powered products, reflecting a shared commitment to accuracy and ethical content usage.
Jessica Chan, Head of Content and Publisher Partnerships at Perplexity, highlighted the significance of attribution in facilitating powerful visual storytelling and maintaining transparency in content sourcing. The emphasis on proper attribution aligns with Perplexity’s strategy of defending against copyright accusations by emphasizing fair use of publicly available facts.
Perplexity’s collaboration with Getty signals a strategic shift towards responsible content partnerships and ethical AI usage, setting a precedent for industry standards in attribution and content sourcing.
