Perplexity, an AI search startup, has entered a multi-year licensing agreement with Getty Images, allowing it to use Getty’s stock photos within its search and discovery tools. This deal comes after a year of scrutiny over Perplexity’s practices, including allegations of content scraping and plagiarism. The partnership signals a shift toward more formal content agreements, especially following accusations from various media organizations regarding copyright infringement, notably involving a Wall Street Journal article. The licensing deal isn't traditional; Perplexity doesn’t train its own foundational models, which complicates the typical licensing framework. Despite the lack of specific terms disclosed, the agreement is seen as a way for Perplexity to legitimize its previous use of Getty images. Perplexity has faced legal challenges, including a recent lawsuit from Reddit for allegedly scraping user content unlawfully. The deal aims to improve the display of images in search results, ensuring proper attribution and links to the original sources. Both companies emphasize the importance of attribution in AI, with Getty's vice president highlighting its role in enhancing AI products. Perplexity’s head of content reiterated the commitment to helping users find content while clarifying its origins. This focus on attribution is part of Perplexity's defense strategy against copyright claims, arguing that its use of publicly available content falls under "fair use."