News

From January 2026, Hamburg-based image agency plainpicture will join the Image Professionals portfolio while continuing to operate as an independent brand, strengthening its position as a leading pioneer of conceptual photography. The partnership expands Image Professionals’ creative offering while preserving plainpicture’s distinctive visual identity, exclusive portfolio, and long-standing relationships with photographers and clients worldwide.

The upcoming CEPIC legal webinar on 29 January will bring together photographer Robert Kneschke and his lawyer Sebastian Deubelli to discuss the appeal in the landmark Kneschke v LAION case and its wider implications for AI and copyright law.

Wishing all our members, partners, and supporters a joyful festive season and a very happy New Year. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of the CEPIC community.

The CEPIC 2026 website has been updated with an early preview of the conference programme, outlining three days of discussions, workshops, networking, and social events in Valencia under the theme AI Challenge as an Opportunity. We are now inviting speakers and sponsors to get involved and help shape CEPIC 2026.

A coalition of copyright and related-rights organisations has welcomed a new French legislative initiative proposing a legal presumption that AI providers exploit protected cultural content. The measure aims to rebalance power between creative sectors and AI companies by strengthening enforcement, transparency, and the development of licensing markets.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on opt-out protocols for text and data mining under the AI Act, aiming to establish widely adopted, technically viable standards for rights reservations. CEPIC will take part in the process and encourages members with technical expertise to contribute before the deadline of 23 January.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for “Framing the Future” webinar. Resources are available here also fo those who were not able to attend.

The Marco Luchetta International Press Award 2025 paid a moving tribute this weekend to EPA Images photojournalist Haitham Imad, whose work from Gaza earned him this year’s prize for Best Photography.