Shutterstock is pioneering a “research licensing” model with Lightricks, lowering barriers to AI training data

shutterstock It is reshaping how AI companies access training data with a new “research licensing” approach, first launched with AI technology company Creative Litrix. The partnership, announced today, allows Lightricks to train its open source video generation model LTXV using Shutterstock’s extensive HD and 4K video library.

The new licensing model addresses a major challenge in AI development: the high cost of access to high-quality training data. It enables companies to start with a smaller research license for testing and experimentation before committing to more expensive commercial licenses.

Making ethical AI development accessible to startups

“Many companies and model trainers have taken the unauthorized data mining route (rather than) making the necessary investment to achieve the quality and level of trust needed to develop commercially viable models,” said Daniel Mandell, global head of data and AI licensing at Shutterstock. In an exclusive interview with VentureBeat. “However, we do not believe that financial investment should be a barrier for those looking to enter this field with an ethical approach.”

This two-stage approach could change the way startups approach AI development. Craig Andrews, Global PR Director at Lightricks, describes it as “a turning point for smaller, more agile developers who want to explore innovative applications of generative AI without the high upfront costs of traditional licensing.”

Legal protection and fair compensation in the age of artificial intelligence

The timing is important, as it comes amid increasing legal scrutiny of AI training data practices. Several major AI companies are facing lawsuits over alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted materials for model training. Shutterstock’s approach offers a legitimate alternative while ensuring that content creators receive compensation.

“We are setting the standard for ethical AI development while ensuring creators receive fair compensation for their work,” Andrews explains. “This approach not only strengthens trust in the creative ecosystem, but also creates a sustainable framework for responsible innovation in AI.”

Revenue sharing: a win-win for creators and AI companies

Shutterstock has implemented a revenue-sharing model where contributors receive 20% of revenue from data licensing deals. Contributors can also opt out of having their content used for AI training, though Mandell notes that only about 1% have chosen to do so.

Lightricks plans to use licensed video data to improve it LTXVan open source video creation model that was released last month. The template has already gained significant traction, with “thousands of downloads”. github and Face hugging“, according to Andrews. One notable use case is real-time video creation for interactive e-commerce.

The partnership aims to address technical challenges in creating AI-powered videos, especially motion consistency in long-form videos. “One of the biggest technical hurdles in AI video production is achieving consistent movement and structure over longer videos without sacrificing quality,” says Andrews. “Shutterstock’s high-quality video library provides an extensive dataset that helps us address this challenge.”

For Shutterstock, this partnership represents a strategic shift in its business model. The company has already established partnerships with major AI companies including Nvidia, deadand OpenAI. Mandel emphasizes that the research licensing model can democratize access to high-quality training data for small organizations and research institutions.

Setting new industry standards for the development of ethical AI

The collaboration also reflects a growing trend toward transparency and ethical considerations in AI development. Lightricks has made LTXV open source to promote collaboration and innovation, while Shutterstock’s licensing approach ensures content creators are properly compensated.

“The important message here is that companies, regardless of their size or funding, no longer have an excuse to mine unlicensed content for training purposes,” Mandel concludes. “There is a better way to enter this evolving market.”

This partnership could set a new standard for how AI companies access training data, which could impact industry practices as concerns about the sources of AI training data continue to grow. The success of this model could determine whether other content providers follow Shutterstock’s lead in creating more flexible and accessible licensing options for AI development.

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