It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Amos Struck on 24th August 2024, at the age of just 43. Amos was a beloved member of CEPIC and a driving force in the stock media industry. His passion, open-mindedness, and boundless enthusiasm left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

In a context where regulating the GAFAM is crucial to preserving the integrity of democratic processes, such attitudes are not only irresponsible but also represent a threat to global political stability. The Open Internet Project expresses its deep concern over the recent actions of Elon Musk, head of the platform X, who chose to respond insultingly to a European political authority after receiving an official letter from Thierry Breton, a member of the European Commission.

Today, CEPIC are sharing the unfortunate news of Etienne van Den Heever's recent passing. Etienne van Den Heever, co-founder of Greatstock, passed away at his home on 09th August 2024 after a brave battle with cancer. An acclaimed director of photography and film director, Etienne was a pioneer in the South African creative and stock media industry. From all of us at CEPIC, we extend our deepest sympathies to Etienne's family during this difficult time.

The European AI Office recently launched a Multi-stakeholder Consultation on trustworthy general-purpose AI models under the AI Act. Submissions must be completed by Tuesday 10 September 2024. This will inform the drafting process to detail rules for general-purpose AI model providers in the first General-Purpose AI Code of Practice.

We are delighted to announce that ANSA has joined CEPIC as our newest member, they are the leading news agency in Italy and one of the top-ranking in the world. Headquartered in Rome since 1945 they have been collecting, publishing and distributing news and in-depth analysis in a variety of methods and on all transmission platforms.

To mark its 18th anniversary, Envato has announced a significant rebrand, introducing a fresh new logo and sonic identity that reflect its commitment to energising and empowering creatives around the globe. In addition to the visual overhaul, Envato has introduced a custom sonic identity created in collaboration with New York-based composer K. Sparks.

The European AI Office has opened a call for expression of interest to participate in the drawing-up of the first general-purpose AI Code of Practice. The European AI Office invites eligible general-purpose AI model providers, downstream providers and other industry organisations, other stakeholder organisations such as civil society organisations or rightsholders organisations, as well as academia and other independent experts to express their interest to participate in the drawing-up of the Code of Practice.

Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE: SSTK), a leading global creative platform offering high-quality creative content for transformative brands, digital media and marketing companies, today announced the launch of its generative 3D API, giving enterprises a fast and ethical way to produce realistic 3D models with AI.

Six agencies from Europe and the United States are proud to announce they have formed an alliance to enhance and expand coverage of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris. Abaca Press (France), belgaimage (Belgium), Bildbyrån (Sweden); Icon Sport (France), PIXSELL (Croatia) and Sipa USA will leverage the talents of nearly forty of their best photographers to cover the quadrennial event.

We are thrilled to share an insightful article by Amos Struck, founder of stockphotosecrets.com and co-founder of the AI-driven stock agency stockphotos.com. In this compelling piece, Amos unveils the findings from a recent survey conducted at CEPIC 2024, highlighting the transformative impact of AI on the stock photography industry.

Are you a picture agency owner looking to sell or acquire a collection? An investor or financial analyst interested in the visual content sector? Join us on July 23, 2024, at 5 PM CET, for our insightful webinar, "How to Value a Picture Agency." This comprehensive webinar will explore the financial, operational, and strategic factors affecting picture agency valuations. Gain valuable insights from industry experts who will share anonymised real-world case studies and actionable recommendations.

We are delighted to announce that Xinhua News Agency has joined CEPIC as a new member. Xinhua News Agency, established in 1931 and headquartered in Beijing, is one of the world's largest and most esteemed providers of news and multimedia content.

Submissions to working programme of Horizon and Creative Europe

Following Meta’s proposals to update its privacy policies to allow training of AI models, societies representing copyright of visual artists, writers, performers and directors have jointly written to the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF), which was established in 2020 to cooperate on the regulation of online platforms, to investigate the matter.

- This information is intended for CEPIC Members ONLY -

The study, commissioned by the Art Fund Foundation (Stiftung Kunstfonds) and the Authors' Rights Initiative (Initiative Urheberrecht) and compiled by Goldmedia GmbH, shows that many visual artists are already using AI-based tools and that recipients are also open to AI art. However, the majority of the more than 3,000 artists surveyed are concerned about disadvantages and loss of income, and many express concrete demands to AI companies and politicians. The study also sheds light on the economic dimension of generative AI.

We are excited to announce that Pond5 has joined the CEPIC community as our newest member. Pond5 is renowned for its dedication to empowering world-class storytellers by providing an accessible marketplace of media assets. With over 35 million video clips, award-winning tools including the patented Visual Search for video, and seamless integrations with all major video-editing software, Pond5 has established itself as the go-to video marketplace for filmmakers, media organisations, and marketers worldwide.

It has been a month since the close of the CEPIC Congress 2024 in the picturesque town of Juan-les-Pins. We are grateful for the enthusiastic participation and invaluable feedback from all attendees, sponsors, and speakers. Based on the responses received, we are pleased to share some key highlights and areas for improvement as we prepare for an even better event in 2025.

Amel Benhachemi Pain has been appointed as the next Editor-in-Chief at European Pressphoto Agency (EPA Images), which was announced today in Frankfurt by EPA Images’ President & CEO, Julia R. Arévalo. Effective 15 August 2024, Amel Pain will succeed José Luis Paniagua.

We are excited to share the two keynote talks exclusively with CEPIC members. Gain insights from industry leaders on the future of visual content and the impact of AI and innovation in our field. To watch these insightful keynotes, find the links provided in this post. Enjoy this exclusive content as a valued member of CEPIC!

As required by the Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market (DSM Directive) the Commission is assessing the lighter liability regime provided in Article 17(6). This article provides for a carve out of the obligations of the Directive for start-ups. CEPIC has provided an own response and contributed to the response of CW!

CEPIC AGM 2024 - Agenda & Financial Documents available for CEPIC Members only

Shutterstock's extensive library of nearly a billion creative content assets is now accessible on the Databricks Marketplace, marking a significant advancement in open data and AI collaboration. This collaboration underscores the importance of using licensed data for training models, ensuring artists contributing to data sets are compensated and retain the right to opt out.

Ever wished you could seamlessly integrate your favourite design resources? Introducing Envato’s new app for Canva! This innovative app allows users to access Envato's extensive library of premium photos and icon assets directly within Canva, with the added capability of generating custom icons using AI.

Horizon Europe gave us the opportunity to complete a feedback survey which will be used to implement the key strategic orientations in the Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027. Review this post to view the survey submitted on behalf of FEP, CEPIC, IMPALA and VGE by Enrico Turrin, Deputy Director of the Federation of European Publishers.

DMLA are kindly offering CEPIC members free tickets to their upcoming webinar 'The Future of Responsible AI' sponsored by Vaisual on Wednesday 5th June at 10 AM.

All the pictures of CEPIC 2024 including those of the annual industry party at the villa Djunah are now available on two platforms. Links are provided in this post.

Creativity Works!, Europe's premier coalition representing vibrant cultural and creative sectors, is celebrating 10 years of fostering creativity and cultural diversity. Their latest manifesto, covering 2024-2029, outlines a bold vision for the future of Europe’s creative industries. With a geographically diverse membership that spans writers, book publishers, music publishers, film producers, broadcasters, and video game companies, this coalition is committed to promoting creativity, enhancing cultural diversity, and protecting intellectual property rights in both physical and digital realms.

As you may remember, CW! submitted a contribution to the Belgian consultation on the implementation of NIS2 in December 2023. This was an opportunity to reiterate our DSA position on public access to the WHOIS database. Some members have brought to our attention that Sweden was now consulting stakeholders on the same matter (until 28th May).

We are excited to introduce our final speaker for this year's CEPIC Congress, Lucia Hasbach, a dynamic leader and creative visionary who will bring her extensive expertise to our closing session focusing on the environmental implications of AI, the evolving visual vocabulary for climate change, and the importance of corporate responsibility.

We are pleased to announce Valérie Théveniaud-Violette as our co-moderator and speaker for the upcoming roundtable discussion on "State of the Industry and What CEPIC Can Do for You." Valérie brings a wealth of experience and expertise gained from her extensive career in the media and photography industry. Join us for an engaging discussion led by Valérie and Veneta Bullen, where we'll explore the latest industry trends and strategies for navigating the future of visual content on Friday, May 17th at 10.00 AM CET.

Join Lars Modie as he moderates our session on Thursday, May 16th at 16:00 CET. This legal conference promises insightful discussions on the intersection of law and technology, featuring esteemed guest speakers such as Robert Kneschke, Serguei Fomin, Brendan Quinn, Franck Bardol, Nancy Wolff, and Katherine Briggs.

Join us on Friday, May 17th at 10.00 AM CET, for a thought-provoking roundtable discussion led by Veneta Bullen, in collaboration with CEPIC's Valérie Théveniaud-Violette. Together, they will explore the current state of the industry and the valuable resources and opportunities offered by CEPIC.

We are excited to announce Jean-David Benichou as a speaker at today's session on Heritage Photography and Authenticity: Is The Past Real? Jean-David is a seasoned entrepreneur and renowned business angel with a remarkable track record in the tech industry. Join Jean-David Benichou as he shares his insights and experiences on Andrea's panel at 14:45 CET on Thursday, 16th May.

We are delighted to announce Alexandru Giboi as the moderator for our conference on Authenticity in News, in partnership with the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA). With a distinguished background in journalism and international strategic management, Alexandru brings a wealth of expertise to our event. The conference will take place at 11:45 CET on Thursday, 16th May.

We are pleased to announce Andrea Stern as the moderator for our upcoming session on Heritage Photography and Authenticity: Is The Past Real? Andrea brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the visual content industry, particularly in managing collections and enabling content accessibility across diverse markets.

We are excited to announce Raphaël Richard as the moderator for the conference sponsored by Wirestock: "Content Monetization in the Age of AI," scheduled for Wednesday, 15th May at 10:15 CET. Raphaël brings extensive experience in internet entrepreneurship and digital marketing to guide our discussions on this vital topic.

We are excited to announce Katharina Familia Almonte as a speaker at this week's CEPIC Congress 2024 in Juan-les-Pins. With 13 years of experience at Google, Katharina brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion on AI and provenance in the digital landscape. Join Katharina for her insightful session on AI and Provenance at 10:15 CET on Thursday, 16th May. Following the discussion, the conversation will continue with Katharina and other attendees in the Google Lounge area on the 2nd floor.

We are pleased to announce Samantha Holman as a speaker at this week's upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. Samantha is the First Vice President of IFRRO, the international umbrella body for Reproduction Rights Organisations, representing the collective management organisations (CMOs) for the Text & Image sector. Additionally, she serves as the CEO of the CMOs for Text & Image and Visual Arts in Ireland.

We are thrilled to announce Gilles Devicq as the interviewer for our keynote speaker session at this week's CEPIC Congress 2024. Gilles will be conducting an insightful interview with our keynote speaker, Franck Bardol, on the Limits of AI, ethics, and the protection of intellectual property. Join us on Thursday, 16th May at 09:30 CET for what promises to be a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving landscape of AI and its ethical considerations.

We are thrilled to announce Georgi Kadrev, Co-founder & CEO of Imagga Technologies & Kelvin Health, as a speaker at this week's CEPIC Congress 2024. With a wealth of expertise in artificial intelligence and technology innovation, Georgi brings invaluable insights to our conference sessions.

We are delighted to announce Emily Shelley as the interviewer for the opening Keynote conversation at this week's CEPIC Congress 2024. Emily is the Chief Executive Officer of PA Media Group, the parent company of visual content marketplace Alamy and PA Media, the UK’s leading multimedia news agency. Additionally, she serves as President of CEPIC, further showcasing her leadership and influence within the industry.

We are pleased to introduce Marisol Muñiz as the moderator for the upcoming conference, "How Ethical is AI Law? Exploring the Ethical Dimensions of AI Law around the world," scheduled for Wednesday, 15th May at 14:00 CET. Marisol brings a wealth of legal expertise and industry knowledge to guide our discussions on this critical topic.

We are thrilled to announce Amos Struck as the moderator for our upcoming pitch sessions on Wednesday, May 15th at 12:00 CET. Amos is the visionary Co-Founder of Stockphotos.com, a groundbreaking AI-powered stock media marketplace revolutionising the industry with millions of premium assets, advanced tools, and exceptional support.

We are thrilled to announce Auriel Wright as the conference lead for the upcoming discussion on "Biases in AI models" at this week's CEPIC Congress 2024. Auriel brings extensive expertise and insight from her role at Google, where she is deeply engaged in exploring and addressing biases within AI systems.

Background: On 25th April CEPIC received an invitation to participate in a workshop organised by the European Commission on THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TDM OPT-OUT AND DEVELOPMENT OF LICENSING SOLUTIONS

SIPA Press in France is now an Associate Member of CEPIC

These companies have a Table at CEPIC 2024.

Date of the CEPIC AGM is 15th July at 10 CET Online

We are thrilled to announce Paul Melcher as one of our moderators at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades in the visual content licensing and technology innovation landscape, Paul brings unparalleled expertise to the discussion on the Diversity of Industrial Applications of AI.

As the CEPIC Congress 2024 approaches, we understand that getting to Juan les Pins from Nice Airport is a key part of your journey. But fear not! We've got you covered with some fantastic options to make your travel as seamless as possible.

We're thrilled to welcome Magdalena König as a distinguished speaker at our upcoming conference, "Authenticity in News" organised in partnership with EANA. As a key member of AIQ's executive leadership team, Magdalena oversees Legal Governance and Compliance, driving the company's legal affairs and shaping its compliance and risk strategies. With her expertise, she ensures AIQ's responsible growth and fosters a risk management culture.

We're thrilled to announce Stefan Britton as a distinguished speaker at the upcoming "Diversity of Industrial Applications of AI" conference, moderated by Paul Melcher from BRIA. Stefan brings over fifteen years of expertise in AI and Digital Marketing to the table, making him a powerhouse in the industry.

We are thrilled to announce SIPA Press who are generously sponsoring the photographers for the event. As a leading international media agency specialising in entertainment, news, and sports content, SIPA Press serves top media companies worldwide. With bureaus in New York and Los Angeles, they cover the day's top events, delivering real-time news through their dedicated team of photographers and global network of partners.

We're thrilled to welcome Alamy as one of our sponsors for the upcoming CEPIC Congress! As a leading stock image platform, Alamy is not just a source of creative inspiration; it's a vibrant community that celebrates diversity and empowers creators worldwide.

We're delighted to announce MomaPIX as one of our esteemed sponsors for the upcoming CEPIC Congress! With their cutting-edge Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform and innovative use of artificial intelligence, MomaPIX is at the forefront of revolutionising image management.

We're thrilled to announce that Activo Consulting will be joining us as a valued sponsor for our upcoming event! As part of our ongoing partnership, Activo will be representing the DAM (Digital Asset Management) community with two esteemed delegates. Frédéric Sanuy will be representing Activo at the prestigious "State of the Industry Roundtable" on Friday, May 17th, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. This roundtable will feature key representatives from across the visual media industry, offering valuable insights and perspectives on the current landscape.

We are excited to introduce Brendan Quinn as a speaker at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. Brendan brings a wealth of experience as the Managing Director of IPTC, a prominent industry standards body dedicated to advancing standards in the news and media industries.

Today marks an exciting chapter in Envato’s journey as we proudly announce that we have entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Shutterstock—a respected leader in creative content (this agreement is subject to customary conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of this calendar year).

We are thrilled to announce Martin LeBlanc as a speaker at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. Martin brings a wealth of experience as the Chief Product Officer at Freepik and the founder of Iconfinder, demonstrating his expertise at the intersection of technology, business, and design.

We are thrilled to announce Vered Horesh as one of our speakers at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. Vered brings a wealth of expertise and leadership in the field of ethical AI development, making her a valuable addition to our lineup of esteemed speakers.

We are delighted to introduce John Balean as a speaker at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. With three decades of experience in the image licensing industry, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion on heritage photography and authenticity. Currently serving as the Operations Manager at Topfoto, one of Europe's premier independently owned photographic archives, John plays a pivotal role in preserving and curating a vast collection of historical imagery.

We are thrilled to announce Matthew Hibberd as one of our speakers for the upcoming conference on "Authenticity in News," organised in partnership with the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA).

We are delighted to introduce Joël Halioua as one of the speakers at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. With over 30 years of experience as an independent photo editor and curator, Joël brings a wealth of expertise and insights to this year's Congress.

We are thrilled to announce Alan Capel as one of the esteemed speakers at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. With a wealth of experience in the photography industry, Alan brings a unique perspective to the discussion on heritage photography and authenticity. As the Chief Commercial Officer at SmartFrame, a leading UK-based tech-led content business, Alan is at the forefront of driving revenue potential and protecting intellectual property for picture agencies and top sports brands.

We are thrilled to announce Robert Kneschke as a speaker at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. With nearly two decades of experience as a full-time photographer and image producer, Robert brings a wealth of expertise to the discussion on copyright infringement in the realm of generative AI.

We are thrilled to share details of the remarkable winners of the World Press Photo Global Awards 2024, representing the greatest in visual storytelling from around the globe. Chosen from among the 24 regional winners, these captivating photographs and stories encapsulate the profound human experiences and challenges of our time.

We are thrilled to announce that Shutterstock, an industry giant in the world of digital content, is joining us as a Gold Sponsor of CEPIC Congress 2024! Shutterstock is a premier partner for transformative brands, digital media and marketing companies, empowering the world to create with confidence. Fueled by millions of creators around the world with a fearless approach to product innovation, Shutterstock is one of the leading innovators in the global multi-media content industry, embracing the power of artificial intelligence to complement human creativity.

With CEPIC Congress 2024 just two weeks away, we want to ensure that all arrangements for your participation are in order. If you have selected a table at the congress, it is essential to arrange for your items to be shipped in time and correctly labelled with your table number. Packages for Congress can arrive from May 6th onwards. Please note that May 8th and 9th are public holidays in France, so make sure your deliveries are planned accordingly.

We are thrilled to introduce Stéphanie de Roquefeuil as one of our esteemed speakers at CEPIC Congress 2024! Stéphanie will be leading an insightful session titled "How Ethical is AI Law? Exploring the Ethical Dimensions of AI Law around the World," scheduled for Wednesday, May 15th at 14:00.

We are delighted to announce that Nancy Wolff will be joining us as a distinguished speaker at CEPIC Congress 2024! Nancy will be sharing her wealth of knowledge and expertise at the conference session titled "How Ethical is AI Law? Exploring the Ethical Dimensions of AI Law around the World," alongside other esteemed panellists.

Is AI Copyrightable? Part III - We have invited 2 legal experts to discuss how AI Output can be protected if not by copyright.

CEPIC 2024 Agenda includes important dates for your diary, such as our lobbying efforts, webinars, important meetings and of course, CEPIC Congress.

We are thrilled to announce IMATAG as one of our incredible sponsors for this year's CEPIC Congress! Their invaluable support underscores their commitment to advancing authenticity in the realm of news photography. In an era where the rise of AI has accelerated the proliferation of fake news, IMATAG stands at the forefront of safeguarding the trustworthiness of publishers and preserving the integrity of content.

We are thrilled to announce another speaker joining the lineup for this year's CEPIC Congress: Anthony Level, AI Regulatory and Legal Strategy Lead at IMATAG. With over two decades of expertise in digital law, intellectual property, and AI regulation, Anthony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the forefront of our discussions.

We are thrilled to announce Stefano De Alessandri as one of our speakers at CEPIC Congress 2024! Stefano currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of ANSA, bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise in media-publishing companies and management consulting.

We are delighted to announce that Mikayel Khachatryan will be joining us as a speaker at this year's CEPIC Congress 2024! As the CEO of Wirestock, Mikayel Khachatryan has played an important role in innovating content licensing and distribution, helping hundreds of thousands of artists license their work across the largest content marketplaces and earning millions in royalties.

Can't commit to the full 3 days of Congress? No problem! We're thrilled to announce that day tickets are now available, offering you the chance to immerse yourself in the world of visual content and innovation for a day of your choice.

We're thrilled to announce Katherine Briggs as one of our esteemed speakers at CEPIC Congress 2024! With a distinguished career spanning the fintech, telecommunications, and technology sectors, both domestically in Australia and across international landscapes, Katherine brings a wealth of expertise and insight to our event.

In an era dominated by AI-generated content, Dove reaffirms its commitment to authenticity and diversity in beauty representation. Two decades after launching its iconic "Campaign for Real Beauty," Dove has recently introduced "The Code," a powerful initiative aimed at challenging the impact of AI on beauty standards.

We're excited to announce James Allsworth, Head of Content at Alamy, as one of our speakers for CEPIC Congress 2024. Since joining Alamy in 2004, he has been instrumental in shaping the strategy, development, and performance of the Content, Distribution, and Infringement departments.

We are excited to introduce another one of our fantastic speakers for the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024: Isabelle Galy from ClusterIA. With extensive experience in the French and local AI ecosystem, Isabelle serves as the Vice President of ClusterIA, the AI startups association, and is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in technology.

We are thrilled to announce one of our esteemed speakers for the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024: Antoine Julienne from IFRRO. Antoine brings a wealth of experience in policy-making, particularly in the legal domain, having previously served with the Greens/EFA group in the Legal Affairs Committee at the European Parliament.

Today, a pivotal new report by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee has been released calling for better support and compensation for creators, through a statutory scheme to pay them for their copyright, and the establishment of new support mechanisms for freelancers. One of the standout recommendations from the report is the implementation of The Smart Fund, which is aimed at compensating creators for private copying of their content.

CEPIC is thrilled to announce BRIA as one of the sponsors for the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. BRIA, a leading organisation dedicated to ethical AI solutions, will be playing a pivotal role in shaping discussions on the ethical use of AI during the congress.

We are delighted to introduce Franck Bardol, an esteemed Associate Professor and Deep Learning Instructor, who will be taking the stage as a keynote speaker at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. Join us on Thursday, May 16th, for an engaging keynote conversation titled "The limits of AI, Ethics and the protection of intellectual property," where Franck will share his profound insights into the complex intersection of artificial intelligence, ethical considerations, and intellectual property rights.

We are thrilled to introduce Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, who will be gracing the stage as a keynote speaker at the upcoming CEPIC Congress 2024. Join us on Wednesday, May 15th, for an insightful keynote conversation titled "What’s next for the creative stock industry?" where Craig will share his invaluable expertise and vision for the future of content licensing.

We are excited to share a significant development in the realm of news media standards: Google LLC has officially become a Voting Member of the International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC), a global technical standards body for the news media.

Topfoto, the historical picture agency and archive established in 1927, is embarking on an exciting journey with a fresh brand identity. As the world moves into the digital age, Topfoto reaffirms its commitment to authenticity, exclusivity, and commercial ingenuity, making it easier than ever for image buyers and creatives to access its extensive archive.

CEPIC is delighted to announce that for the sixth year in a row, Google will be sponsoring the annual Congress and reaffirming its commitment to support the visual content licensing industry.

We're delighted to announce that FotoArena has joined us as our latest confirmed sponsor for the highly anticipated 2024 CEPIC Congress! As a leading Brazilian stock agency renowned for its diverse range of news and sports photography, FotoArena brings a wealth of expertise and experience to our event.

As anticipation builds for the 2024 CEPIC Congress, we are thrilled to introduce you to our prestigious keynote speakers who will bring their insights and expertise to our event.

We are thrilled to announce the continuation of the collaboration between CEPIC (International Association of the Visual Media Licensing Industry) and EANA - The European Alliance of News Agencies!