Predicting the Future of Digital Archives: Getty Images Acquires Stock Photo Giant 'Motorsport Images' | Release #109
cover image by Douglas
We discuss the notable trend in the visual content industry: Getty Images' acquisition of Motorsport Images. This acquisition is expected to drive innovation in digital archives using AI, sparking new discussions about the future of copyright and data management. The customization and specialization of stock photo services are anticipated to advance, shedding light on the industry's overall outlook.
New Collections in the Digital Age
Getty Images, a leading global supplier of photos and videos, has acquired Motorsport Images, an archive specializing in motorsports. The archive includes approximately 29 million photos and 8,900 hours of video that chronicle the history of auto racing. Among them are images from the first 24 Hours of Le Mans held in 1923 and valuable early F1 race photos and historical moments from 1950 onwards.
Image by Douglas
Utilizing AI and Archives
An 'archive' is a place where important documents and photos are stored. Motorsport Images, acquired by Getty Images, is a treasure trove that tells the history of motorsports. These photos and videos are not just old; sometimes, modern technology like AI (artificial intelligence) helps rediscover their new value. AI understands the content of photos and aids in quickly finding the needed images using search functions.
By integrating AI with archives, we can easily view scenes from past races.
Image by 佐藤亜梨沙 │ Sato Arisa
Personalized Stock Photo Services and License Management
This acquisition will strengthen Getty Images' presence in the automotive and motorsports sectors. Many photos and videos will continue to provide colorful stories to our lives and media.
Moreover, the advancement of AI image generation technology emphasizes the importance of photo license management, prompting companies like Getty Images to enhance archives in specific fields and enforce strict license management. Companies offering stock photo services are expected to secure licenses for archive photos, enhance the value of their unique content, and differentiate themselves in the market.
With the progress of AI technology, stock photo services are expected to expand their value by providing high-quality, unique content in specific themes or genres, playing a crucial role in the future visual content market.
