Microsoft and Getty Images bury the hatchet after legal action and form partnership

Late last year Getty Images hit Microsoft with a lawsuit for using its images without license in the Bing Image Widget. Getty had complained that Microsoft turned its images into "a vast, unlicensed clip art collection". In a bid to avoid trouble, Microsoft opted to take down the widget and now -- seven months down the line -- it seems that it may just have paid off.

Today, the two companies announced that they are forming a partnership to bring properly licensed images to products such as Bing and Cortana. Technologies from both Microsoft and Getty images will be used together to enrich services on both sides.

Neither company has revealed any specific details about what will be born of the partnership but Getty Images is pleased that properly licensed images can now be provided to Microsoft customers. Craig Peters, Senior Vice President of Business Development, says that his company will "take search experiences to a new level". Most importantly, however, is the fact that photographers will be correctly attributed.

Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Business Development Peggy Johnson says:

This collaboration enables Microsoft users to take full advantage of Getty Images' speed to market, structured metadata and unrivaled content. We look forward to working with Getty Images to provide the next generation of image depth and breadth for our users.

A statement issued by Getty Images implies that Microsoft is getting the best deal out of the new arrangement. Microsoft gains access to Getty Images' APIs that will provide new ways to work with images and metadata.

Photo credit: Marta Paniti / Shutterstock