Bird & Bird, a major international law firm, represented Stability AI in a closely watched High Court copyright dispute with Getty Images over the use of copyrighted photographs to train Stable Diffusion, one of the most widely used open-source image-generation models. The case centered on whether Stability AI needed permission from photographers and copyright holders before using their work to train generative AI systems.

What Was the Getty Images Case About?

Getty Images, the world's largest stock photography company, brought legal action against Stability AI over the use of copyrighted photographs in training Stable Diffusion. The lawsuit posed a fundamental question: do AI companies need permission from photographers and copyright holders before using their work to train generative AI systems? Bird & Bird's representation of Stability AI in this dispute highlights the growing importance of specialized legal expertise in AI development and training practices.

The case touches on one of the most contentious issues in artificial intelligence development: how AI companies source and use training data. Generative AI models like Stable Diffusion learn by analyzing millions of images, identifying patterns, and using those patterns to create new images based on text descriptions. The quality and diversity of training data directly affect the model's output quality.

Why Are Law Firms Investing Heavily in AI Expertise?

Bird & Bird's involvement in high-stakes AI litigation reflects a broader strategic focus on technology law and AI governance. The firm reported revenue of €702 million in 2025/26, a 4% increase from the previous year, and has been investing heavily in AI expertise to help clients navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

"The firm's strategy remains focused on becoming the leading international law firm guiding organisations through a world shaped by technology, innovation and regulation," said Christian Bartsch.

Christian Bartsch, Chief Executive at Bird & Bird

This investment in AI expertise reflects a broader trend among major law firms: as AI regulation becomes more complex and high-stakes litigation over AI training practices increases, legal expertise in this domain is becoming a competitive advantage.

How Are Law Firms Preparing for the AI Era?

• Digital Academy Program: Bird & Bird launched a Digital Academy at the end of 2025 to train lawyers in the use of generative AI, covering practical skills like prompt engineering, data handling, and understanding the limitations and risks of large language models.
• Global AI Policy Framework: The firm rolled out a global AI policy covering confidentiality, data use, human oversight, and quality controls to ensure responsible use of AI across the organization.
• International Expansion: Bird & Bird continued expanding internationally during the year, opening new offices in Lisbon and Riyadh following the launch of its Tokyo office in 2024, positioning the firm to advise clients on AI regulation across multiple jurisdictions.

These initiatives demonstrate how law firms are systematically building internal AI competency while simultaneously positioning themselves to advise clients on complex AI-related legal matters. The Digital Academy approach is particularly notable, as it ensures that Bird & Bird's entire legal team can understand generative AI capabilities, limitations, and risks.

What Does This Case Mean for the AI Industry?

Bird & Bird's representation of Stability AI in this dispute provides the company with a significant legal precedent in the UK. While this ruling does not automatically apply to cases in the United States or Europe, it demonstrates that courts are engaging seriously with questions about AI training practices and data sourcing.

For the broader image-generation market, the case underscores the importance of specialized legal representation in AI disputes. Similar lawsuits are pending in other jurisdictions, and regulatory bodies in the European Union and elsewhere are actively considering new rules around AI training data sourcing. As these legal and regulatory questions continue to evolve, law firms with deep expertise in AI technology and governance will play an increasingly critical role in shaping how AI companies operate.

Bird & Bird's confidence in reaching its €1 billion revenue target by 2029 suggests that the firm believes demand for AI-focused legal services will continue to grow. The firm's current revenue of €702 million represents a 4% increase, and the firm's chief executive noted that the current financial year had started positively with a strong pipeline of work.