🚨 URGENT — CMA OFFICIALLY INVITES COMMENTS UNTIL 18 MARCH
CMA Opens Remedies Consultation on Getty / Shutterstock Merger
Contributor Submissions Influenced the Course of the Investigation — The CMA Formally Invites Your Comments
Deadline: Wednesday 18 March 2026, 17:00 UK time — six days remain
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — 12 March 2026
What Has Happened
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed that the proposed merger of Getty Images and Shutterstock — which would create a single company controlling over 700 million licensed images and videos — presents a Substantial Lessening of Competition (SLC) in the supply of editorial content in the UK.
On 11 March 2026, the CMA published a formal Invitation to Comment on Remedies, calling on contributors, creators, and the wider public to submit their views. The deadline is 17:00 UK time on Wednesday 18 March 2026.
Our Submissions Had a Measurable Impact
An experienced stock photography contributor, representing in part the interests of the wider creator community, submitted formal evidence to the CMA Phase 2 investigation on 26 February 2026. These are the first known formal submissions by an individual contributor in this matter.
Several positions raised in those submissions have demonstrably influenced the course of the investigation:
- The CMA extended its final decision deadline by 8 weeks — from 19 April to 14 June 2026. The official reason: the complexity of the case and the need to assess the impact of generative AI on the market. This is precisely the argument made in our submission.
- The CMA separately identified the AI training data market as a distinct area of competitive concern — a framing that was central to our evidence. The merged entity would control the world's largest licensed visual AI training dataset, eliminating contributors' ability to exercise opt-out rights under EU law (DSM Directive, Article 4(3)).
- The CMA is now explicitly consulting on behavioural remedies — including contributor protections — as a result of evidence that structural remedies alone may be insufficient.
The CMA confirmed direct engagement. The Case Officer of the Inquiry Group confirmed personally that all submitted materials are under active review and that the Inquiry Group may follow up with additional questions. The response to the remedies consultation has been submitted directly to the Inquiry Group — the voice of contributors is present where decisions are being made.
Why This Matters for Every Stock Photographer
- Royalty rates: with no competing platform of comparable scale, the merged entity will face no market pressure to maintain or improve contributor royalties. Both platforms have already cut rates in recent years.
- AI training: post-merger, a single entity controls the world's largest licensed AI training dataset. With no viable alternative platform, contributors lose all practical ability to opt out of AI licensing.
- Account security: algorithmic decisions on uploads, suspension, and content removal will be concentrated in a single unaccountable entity, with nowhere to go.
- Contract terms: without a credible exit option, the merged entity can unilaterally impose less favourable terms on all 2.6 million contributors worldwide.
What the CMA Is Considering
- The Parties' own proposal: sell only Splash News and Backgrid. Does nothing for stock contributors — the entire stock business remains merged.
- Wider Shutterstock Editorial divestiture: sell Rex Features. Partially addresses editorial; the upstream monopsony over 2.6 million creators remains.
- Full prohibition: the only option that fully protects contributors. The 8-week extension reflects how seriously this option is being assessed.
A fourth option — any remedy proposed by third parties — is explicitly on the table. The contributor submission proposes a minimum royalty floor, revenue transparency, an AI opt-out mechanism, and account security safeguards.
Act Now — Deadline: 18 March 2026, 17:00 UK Time
The CMA formally invites your comments. You have until Wednesday 18 March 2026, 17:00 UK time. A short email is sufficient.
- Email: gettyimages.shutterstock@cma.gov.uk
- State that you are a contributor to one or both platforms
- Express concern about royalty rates, AI use of your content, and account security
- Support full prohibition as the only comprehensive remedy
Official documents:
Every submission counts. The 8-week extension proves regulators are listening. Make your voice heard before the window closes.
CMA case reference: ME/2252/25