CEPIC member SmartFrame has launched SmartFrame Images, offering free access to more than 40 million premium editorial visuals across sport, news, and culture. Publishers can now embed high-quality images instantly, with credits, protection, and monetisation built in.

In today's digital world, images are everywhere, but controlling how they're used, shared, and monetised has never been more complex. Join us on Tuesday, 2 December at 16:00 CET to discover how framing technology is revolutionising image protection and monetisation, with insights from two industry pioneers at Smartframe and CyberMirage.

Getty Images has secured a major legal victory against Stability AI in the UK, with the court ruling that Stable Diffusion infringed Getty’s trademarks and confirming that responsibility lies with the model provider, not the user. The decision also establishes a precedent that AI models can be subject to copyright infringement claims, marking a significant milestone for intellectual property protection in the age of AI.

CEPIC member BRIA has launched FIBO, a next-generation visual AI model offering full control over image generation. Built exclusively with licensed data, FIBO provides brands and businesses with legally safe, consistent, and enterprise-ready AI-powered visuals.

CEPIC is once again inviting members to have their images featured across our website. This is a great opportunity to showcase your work to the global visual media community, with full credit given to all contributors.

Getty Images and Perplexity have announced a new global multi-year licensing agreement that will bring Getty’s high-quality creative and editorial images to Perplexity’s AI-powered search and discovery tools. The partnership aims to enhance visual storytelling, improve attribution, and promote the responsible use of licensed content in the age of AI.

CEPIC) has published its recommendations on the Draft Report on Copyright and Generative Artificial Intelligence – Opportunities and Challenges, calling for a fair, transparent, and legally consistent framework that protects Europe’s creative industries.

A major new study coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC has revealed that leading AI assistants — including ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Perplexity — frequently misrepresent news content across languages and countries. Involving 22 public service media organisations, the research found that 45% of AI-generated answers contained significant issues, raising urgent concerns about information integrity and public trust in the AI era.

CEPIC’s Sylvie Fodor and Marisol Muñiz joined partners in Paris for the kickoff meeting of the Trust My Content consortium, part of the Provenance4Trust project promoting transparency, authenticity, and compliance in digital media. CEPIC members are invited to share their interest in potential use cases ahead of the next project phase.

During a recent panel in Brussels, Paul Keller of the Open Future Foundation proposed the creation of a “public AI” — a publicly funded counterpart to private AI systems, designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and access to public knowledge. The discussion sparked mixed reactions among experts, highlighting the ongoing debate around how best to regulate and sustain original content in the age of AI.

After a hugely successful debut at CEPIC 2025, our lively Speed Dating sessions are returning for a second year! This fast-paced morning event proved a brilliant way to make new connections, and we can’t wait to bring the energy back for CEPIC 2026.

Agence France-Presse has joined major U.S. and international media outlets in rejecting new Pentagon conditions for press access, citing concerns over constitutional rights and journalistic independence. AFP calls on the Pentagon to review the proposed restrictions, which it says undermine the First Amendment and the core principles of free and impartial reporting.

Get ready for CEPIC 2026 in style at the beautiful Meliá Valencia, the tallest building in the city and our official event hotel. Delegates can enjoy exclusive discounted rates, available only through our special booking link, so be sure to secure your room early!

CEPIC is pleased to announce its newly elected Board for 2025–2027, combining experienced members with new voices to guide the organisation into its next chapter. With Gilles Devicq as President, Philippe François as Vice President, and Sergi Griño continuing as Treasurer, the new board will focus on collaboration, innovation, and supporting the global visual media industry.

CEPIC is pleased to welcome CyberMirage as our newest member. The company offers next-generation technology to protect web content from unauthorised use, empowering creators and businesses to safeguard their images and documents without compromising visual quality or user experience.

CEPIC is proud to join OnDAM Paris 2025 as a Silver Sponsor, where Executive Director Sylvie Fodor will speak on how to avoid deep fakes, sharing insights from CEPIC’s recent project and research with Sciences Po Lab. The event, taking place 18–19 November in Paris, will bring together leaders in DAM, AI, and visual media to explore the future of content authenticity and trust.

Imatag is proud to be cited in the World Privacy Forum’s September 2025 report “Privacy, Identity and Trust in C2PA”, recognising its contribution to advancing secure and transparent content provenance. The report highlights Imatag’s commitment to protecting creators’ privacy, maintaining metadata integrity, and strengthening trust in digital media.

CEPIC 2026 is heading to Valencia, Spain, 6–8 May 2026, with the theme “AI Challenge as an Opportunity.” After three successful years in Juan-les-Pins, this vibrant Mediterranean city will host three days of networking, innovation, and industry insights.

Logging in is now easier than ever. CEPIC Members can access exclusive news and events with a quick email verification code, no password required.

Bria has achieved full compliance with the EU AI Act, publishing its Copyright Policy, Public Summary of Training Content, and detailed Model Documentation Form. This milestone underscores Bria’s commitment to transparency, responsible AI development, and industry leadership.

CEPIC is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of OnDAM Paris 2025, the leading conference dedicated to Digital Asset Management. Join us in Paris on 18–19 November for two days of keynotes, workshops, and networking focused on DAM innovation, AI, and the future of content strategy.

CEPIC has called an Extraordinary General Meeting on Monday 13th October 2025 from 10.00 H CET to 11.00 H CET and invite you to participate.

Over 70 leading UK creators and creative organisations, including Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, and Getty Images, have signed an open letter urging the Government to defend copyright holders’ rights and stop Big Tech AI firms from exploiting their work. The signatories accuse ministers of ignoring international human rights obligations and prioritising US trade deals over the UK’s creative economy.

Meet the nominees for the CEPIC Board 2025–2027. Voting takes place during our EGM on 13 October at 10:00 CET, where members will choose the leaders who will guide CEPIC’s next chapter.

The Open Internet Project, Origine France Garantie, and the French Forces of Industry welcomed the EU’s €2.95 billion fine against Google for online advertising market abuse, calling it a vital defense of fair competition. They condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of trade retaliation as an attempt to undermine European sovereignty and digital regulation.

This post brings together the most interesting news items that have been published online since the last newsletter. Members can find more news in the login area of our website.

French photographer Jean-Louis Courtinat, renowned for four decades of compassionate social photography, was honoured with a Visa d’Or at Visa pour l’Image 2025. His powerful work portraying society’s most vulnerable has been represented exclusively by Roger-Viollet since 2021.

A big thank-you to Brendan Quinn, Executive Director of IPTC, for sharing his expertise and guiding us through the many technical solutions for managing AI indexing preferences and protecting visual content.

NTB has acquired Norkon’s Live Center platform and its global customer base, expanding NTB’s reach as an international media technology provider. The deal strengthens NTB’s product portfolio and adds major clients across 20+ countries, while Norkon refocuses on financial technology solutions.

EPA Images has appointed renowned journalist and media manager Sebastián Fest as Sport Business Consultant to strengthen its global sports strategy and client relationships. With over 30 years of experience in international sports media, Fest will help expand EPA’s commercial initiatives while building on its world-class coverage of major events like the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, and tennis Grand Slams.

The General Information Press Alliance and the Magazine Press Publishers Union have launched a coordinated action to demand the removal of their members’ copyrighted content from public datasets like Common Crawl, C4, and Oscar, widely used to train generative AI models. The initiative aims to protect publishers’ rights, strengthen legal tools against unauthorized use, and defend the economic sustainability of professional journalism.

Join us for an exclusive webinar featuring Brendan Quinn, Executive Director of IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council), as he presents the latest IPTC guidelines designed to help visual content providers opt out of AI training.

BAPLA FOCUS 2025 is set to deliver an inspiring programme of expert talks, panels, and practical sessions exploring copyright, AI, and the future of image licensing, with Isabelle Doran of the AOP headlining as keynote speaker. The event also marks BAPLA’s 50th anniversary with a private celebration at the Churchill War Rooms, offering unique networking and sponsorship opportunities.

The IPTC has released a set of guidelines expressing best practices that publishers can follow to express the fact that they reserve data-mining rights on their copyrighted content. Read more...

France's Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, emphasises the need for fair remuneration for creators and rights holders in the context of the European AI regulation. The government is actively working with cultural and media sectors and AI developers to establish a fair remuneration model, ensuring the protection of copyright in the evolving AI landscape.

Advocate General Szpunar: Member States may adopt support measures to ensure the effectiveness of the rights of press publishers provided that such measures do not undermine freedom of contract (C‑797/23)

Generative AI is now part of the visual content licensing industry. To ensure that we remain a robust and trustworthy industry, CEPIC considers it is essential that the same high standards of reliability, transparency and legal compliance are applied to human-made content and content produced using AI tools

In July 2025, the European Commission released documents intended to ensure transparency for General-Purpose AI providers under the EU AI Act, CEPIC argues they fall short in protecting Europe’s creative and media sectors. The voluntary Code of Practice, insufficient Transparency Template, and overly lenient Guidelines for GPAI providers fail to provide meaningful protection for rights holders, prompting CEPIC to call for stronger, enforceable measures.

A broad coalition of rightsholders from the cultural and creative sectors in the EU has expressed dissatisfaction with the European Commission's implementation measures of the AI Act, particularly the GPAI Code of Practice and Guidelines. They argue that the measures fail to address key concerns about the protection of intellectual property rights and do not fulfil the promises of the AI Act, which was intended to safeguard European copyright holders in the age of generative AI.

The Dutch and Belgian news agencies ANP and Belga are joining forces to create one of the largest image banks in Europe, offering clients access to both ANP Foto and Belgaimage collections through a single platform starting in fall 2026. This collaboration aims to enhance service, strengthen their position in Europe, and enable greater investment in innovation while maintaining editorial independence.

Paris Match” has acquired 80% of the ABACA press photo agency.

CEPIC President Emily Shelley announces the upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on October 13th, marking two years since the last board election. Shelley will step down as President, endorsing Gilles Devicq for the role, and encourages members to nominate themselves or colleagues for board positions, with nominations due by September 15th.

Joe Naylor discusses two recent legal rulings that address AI's use of copyrighted works for training large language models (LLMs). While the decisions in Bartz v Anthropic and Kadrey v Meta favour AI companies in some respects, they also highlight potential future challenges for AI training on copyrighted content, with Judge Chhabria’s ruling offering a roadmap for future plaintiffs to pursue infringement claims.

CEPIC 2025 was a huge success, with a revamped booking platform and exciting new additions like speed dating that exceeded expectations! Want to know how we’re making CEPIC 2026 even better? Click to read more!

Sophie Ziervogel has been appointed CEO of IMAGO, succeeding Markus Kohl, who led the company for over 25 years. With a strong background in strategy and leadership at IMAGO, Sophie aims to drive the company’s growth and establish it as a leading European force in the global visual content industry.

PA Media Group has appointed Candice Murray as SVP, Global Revenue at Alamy, where she will lead the company's global go-to-market strategy. With over 25 years of licensing experience, Candice joins Alamy from Shutterstock, bringing expertise in sales, business development, and editorial to drive growth and strengthen Alamy's market position.

Superstock Partners LLC has acquired the complete Danita Delimont Stock Photography collection, enhancing its offerings in travel, nature, and wall décor photography. The acquisition includes over one million images, 250 contributor relationships, and ongoing support, with a dedicated, branded version of danitadelimont.com set to launch this summer.

We are delighted to welcome Aspasia, a distinguished law firm from France, to the CEPIC community. Specialising in tailored legal services, Aspasia combines legal rigour with industry knowledge to support businesses, founders, and decision-makers.

In celebration of ANSA's 80th anniversary, EPA Images supported an exhibition at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, showcasing iconic photojournalism that highlights Europe’s and the world’s evolving story. The ANSA80 Exhibition features 40 images from EPA’s archives, offering a visual journey through major global events.

Provenance for Trust," a new initiative from TrustMyContent, UncovAI, and the Journalism Trust Initiative, aims to restore trust in media by ensuring content authenticity and traceability. The program addresses key issues like AI transparency and copyright protection, providing solutions to combat misinformation.

EPA Images has appointed Giovanna Castañeda as its new Marketing & Communication Manager, where she will develop and execute a multi-platform marketing strategy. With over a decade of experience in journalism, marketing, and communications, Castañeda brings international expertise to the role, having previously worked at Omnicom Media Group in London and as a political reporter in Peru.

Hundreds of US publishers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have launched an ad campaign urging the government to ensure Big Tech compensates creators for content used in AI training. The "Support Responsible AI" campaign calls for fair compensation, mandatory attribution, and the protection of copyrighted content from unauthorised use by AI companies.

The European cultural sector has come together to call on the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States to reinforce the Creative Europe programme in the next EU long-term budget (MFF).‍ The open letter has been endorsed by 70+ European associations, collectively representing close to 20.000 organisations.

Over 800 cultural professionals from 40 countries are urging the European Commission to preserve Creative Europe as a standalone programme, with a significantly increased budget of 2% of total EU spending. The campaign highlights the cultural sector’s vital role in economic growth, social cohesion, and resilience, and calls for greater support to sustain its impact.

Experts and cultural figures from Poland, France and Germany have presented proposals for a human-centred approach to generative AI as part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

This week, members of the CEPIC Board gathered in Paris to reflect on the success of CEPIC 2025 and begin planning for CEPIC 2026. The following day, our Executive Director, Sylvie Fodor, represented CEPIC at the Parlement de la Photographie 2025, where she moderated the session “Photography and the Challenge of AI”.

The Creative Rights in AI Coalition is urging the UK Government to uphold a Lords Amendment to the Data Bill that would grant rightsholders transparency over how their works are used in AI training. The amendment, backed by the creative industries, aims to protect livelihoods and support a fair, dynamic licensing market for UK content in the global AI landscape.

CulturaAI has launched its new website, www.culturai.ai, showcasing its mission to deliver ethical, bespoke datasets that support innovation across sectors like sports, healthcare, and media. From its Sheffield studio, the company champions diversity, creativity, and responsibility in AI training data — helping shape a more inclusive and accurate future for content creation.

Dreamstime has launched its new Zero Gravity Plan, an unlimited downloads subscription offering fresh, high-quality stock images with fair, performance-based rewards for contributors. For $39.99/month, users gain rotating access to tens of millions of royalty-free images, while 40% of revenue is distributed to contributors based on download activity.

On 2 June 2025, France’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry Delegate for AI launched a national consultation bringing together generative AI developers and cultural sector rights holders. Aiming to build an ethical and balanced framework for trusted AI, the initiative seeks practical solutions that respect copyright while fostering innovation and data access.

On 30 June 2025, CEPIC is organising a virtual annual general meeting from 10:00 to 11:00. H All CEPIC members are welcome to attend to learn more about the organisation and discuss its strategic direction. The agenda and registration link are provided in this article.

EPA Images has launched the EPA Academy’s Advanced Programme in International News Photography, a unique 12-month course designed to train emerging photographers in the technical, journalistic, and editorial skills essential for modern photojournalism. Hosted at EPA’s Frankfurt headquarters, the program combines expert-led seminars, hands-on assignments, and internships, offering participants a direct path into the world of international news and sports photography.

The European Pressphoto Agency (EPA Images) has announced the winners of its second annual EPA Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions from its global team in 2024. Honorees include standout sports photographer Anna Szilagyi, long-time staff member Thomas Kröemer, and others whose work reflects EPA's values of excellence, dedication, and collaboration across the agency.

Sylvie Fodor will represent CEPIC at the sixth edition of the Parliament of Photography, taking place 17–18 June 2025 at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. She will participate with a special focus on the panel “Photography and the challenge of AI”, exploring the legal and technological frameworks shaping the future of visual content.

EPA Images has appointed award-winning photojournalist Martin Divíšek as Product Manager of its new multimedia service, Focus, which will spotlight human-centered storytelling across photography, video, and text. With themes like environment, migration, and culture, Focus aims to connect with younger audiences through emotionally resonant and socially relevant content.

As AI developers train models on massive volumes of visual data, the question of how to license that content becomes increasingly urgent. This panel explores collective licensing, contract negotiations, and fair compensation strategies to protect rights holders and reshape industry standards.

As AI tools continue to use copyrighted works for training, the decision to opt-out or opt-in is becoming a crucial and complex one for creators. This panel will explore the legal, technical, and financial implications of both approaches and what they mean for the future of rights management.

What does “authenticity” mean in the age of AI-generated content? This session presents the findings of the CEPIC Working Group on Authenticity, featuring key voices from AFP, Alamy, BELGA, TopFoto, and Shutterstock, as they explore ethics, realness, and the future of trust in visual media.

AFP will attend CEPIC 2025 and the IPTC Spring Congress in Antibes, sharing insights on image traceability, usage rights, and authenticity in the age of generative AI. Across multiple panels and working groups, AFP representatives will highlight the agency’s commitment to transparency, trust, and the protection of visual content.

This essential legal panel will explore key global developments in AI legislation, from the EU AI Act to US Fair Use challenges and the UK's TDM exception. Join legal experts as they unpack how new rules are reshaping copyright, liability, and licensing in the age of generative AI.

Discover how digital watermarking is redefining image protection, authenticity, and market intelligence in this focused session sponsored by IMATAG. Moderated by Paul Melcher and Mathieu Desoubeaux, the panel brings together expert insights and real-world case studies from agencies using this next-level tool.

This panel will explore the rapidly evolving B2C market in the visual content space, with insights from AFP and Pixways on direct-to-consumer strategies and trends. From licensing innovations to the rise of customisable content offerings, learn how leading agencies are adapting to engage and monetise end users more effectively.

This panel explores how regional expertise adds value in a global content marketplace, with insights from leading distributors on building strong, effective licensing partnerships. Learn how local knowledge, strategic alliances, and smart distribution networks help content reach the right audiences worldwide.

This panel, sponsored by PicRights and moderated by Alexander Karst, explores how infringement tracking and post-licensing can generate revenue and protect brands in today’s digital environment. With real-world insights from legal and industry leaders, it’s a must-attend for anyone navigating rights management in the age of AI.

Mary Evans Picture Library has announced Matt Hamer as its new Managing Director, as Paul Brown retires after a distinguished 44-year career in the picture industry. A familiar face from Media Storehouse, Matt brings decades of experience and a longstanding relationship with Mary Evans to this exciting new role.

Looking to meet more people at CEPIC 2025? Join our Speed Dating sessions for fast, focused networking and fresh opportunities in just one hour. We already have almost 60 delegates signed up, with 70% from agencies!

Can’t make it to Juan-les-Pins? Extend the value of your CEPIC 2025 experience with our new virtual access option, giving your wider team the chance to join live sessions and access recordings for just 99 EUR, no travel required!

Join Raphaël Richard, CEO of Neodia, for a hands-on workshop exploring how AI is reshaping SEO and content visibility. Learn the latest techniques to stay ahead of Google’s evolving algorithms and boost your discoverability in an AI-driven digital world.

Get ready for one of the most anticipated highlights of CEPIC 2025, the Annual Industry Party, hosted this year at the stunning Le Provençal Golf. With stunning views, great food, and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to unwind, connect, and celebrate with fellow attendees.

A number of specialized articles are published in the Member Area of the CEPIC website. In the Member Area you will also find the list of CEPIC's up-coming meetings in Brussels or other.

This year's Table Area is set to be one of the busiest yet, with an exciting mix of returning companies and new faces. Booking a table offers more than just a place to meet - it's your own space to host meetings,welcome potential partners and increase your visibility.

As we prepare to welcome professionals from across the visual media industry to CEPIC 2025, we would like to extend our deepest thanks to our confirmed sponsors and partners whose support makes this year’s event possible. Taking place from 12–14 May 2025 in Juan-les-Pins, France, CEPIC 2025 will focus on the theme “The Future of Licensing”, bringing together leading voices in image licensing, copyright, AI, and media innovation.

The opening panel at CEPIC 2025 takes a look at the ever-evolving world of content licensing, exploring RM vs. RF, editorial vs. commercial use, and what today’s clients really want. Join leading voices from across the industry as they unpack whether simplifying licensing models truly leads to better business.

Generative AI is rapidly disrupting the stock photo industry, offering fast, customizable visuals that undercut traditional licensing models and reduce demand. As agencies adapt by licensing data to tech giants, concerns grow over long-term sustainability, revenue erosion, and the legal uncertainty surrounding AI-generated content.

CEPIC 2025 introduces a fast-paced Pitch Presentations session on AI for Good, where five companies will showcase innovative AI tools designed to streamline workflows in the visual media industry. With three participants already confirmed, two spots remain open—email us to secure your chance to pitch!

This powerful panel explores the urgent role of image verification in fighting war disinformation, featuring insights from AFP's Éric Baradat and Ukrainian photojournalist Yuliia Ovsiannikova. Sponsored by EANA and moderated by Alexandru Giboi, the session highlights the real-time challenges of visual journalism in conflict zones.

Only 12 tables remain for CEPIC 2025! Download the full list of confirmed companies and book your own table now to boost visibility, host meetings, and secure your spot in the heart of the action.

Join AFP’s Éric Baradat for the CEPIC 2025 Keynote as he explores the urgent challenges of disinformation and the essential role of image verification in today’s AI-driven world. With decades of experience in global photojournalism, Baradat offers a powerful look into how the industry is defending visual truth on the digital frontlines.

Media leaders from AFP, BBC, and Media Cluster Norway gathered in Paris to champion stronger collaboration on image metadata and provenance, highlighting the vital role of the C2PA standard in protecting authentic visual journalism. With support from IPTC, the workshop emphasised the urgency of ensuring transparency and trust in an era of AI-generated content.

Shutterstock returns as a sponsor for CEPIC 2025, supporting a key panel on licensing content for AI training. With seven delegates attending and a dedicated table space, they’ll play a central role in this year’s conversation around the future of visual content and AI.

We’re proud to welcome PIXTA Inc. as CEPIC’s newest member and our very first member from Japan! Known for their distinctive Asian-focused stock content and contributions to AI training, PIXTA will also be joining us at CEPIC 2025 with a team of three delegates.

Bria AI is taking a bold stand for creators, arguing that licensed, high-quality data produces better, safer, generative AI and that fair compensation for content creators is essential for sustainable innovation. In their latest statement, they call on policymakers to protect copyright as a strategic asset and reject exploitative AI practices.

We’re thrilled to welcome IMATAG as a sponsor of CEPIC 2025! They’ll be hosting a panel this year with full details on the topic and speakers, coming very soon.

The third draft of the EU AI Code of Practice has drawn strong criticism for overwhelmingly favouring AI developers while stripping away critical protections for rightsholders. CEPIC warns that, without major revisions, the Code risks legitimising copyright infringement and undermining the future of European creativity, culture, and media.

The third draft of the GPAI Code of Practice undermines the objectives of the AI Act, contravenes EU law and ignores the intention of the EU legislator – we cannot support it.

European news publishers are deeply concerned about the third draft code of practice published last week by the European Commission. The draft includes a chapter about how AI providers must comply with EU copyright law which has unfortunately gone from bad to worse: it contains serious errors relating to the interpretation of AI and copyright law.

Explore some of the top photography contests of 2025 in this helpful roundup from our member PIXRAY’s Fair Licensing blog — featuring key deadlines, categories, prizes, and more.

Reserve your table at CEPIC 2025 - only 14 remaining, including 4 Table Plus options for extra visibility! A table gives you the perfect base to host meetings, network, and make sure people can find you throughout the event.

The European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) expresses serious concerns about the latest draft of the EU Code of Practice for General Purpose AI. The Alliance is warning that its vague language and reduced obligations weaken protections for rightsholders. For news agencies the proposed technical solutions for rights management are unsuitable.