Microsoft takes down Bing Image Widget in light of lawsuit from Getty Images

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Published onSeptember 8, 2014

published onSeptember 8, 2014

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On September 4th, it was revealed thatGetty Images had filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in U.S. District Court targeting the newly released Bing Image Widget. Getty wanted the Bing Image Widget to be blocked, claiming that Microsoft had turned digital images into a free ‘clip art’ collection.

In light of these allegations, Microsoft has taken down the Beta version of the Bing Image Widget. “We have temporarily removed the Bing Image Widget beta so we can take time to talk with Getty Images and better understand its concerns,” a Microsoft spokesmantold Recode.

For those that did not know, the Bing Image Widget allows websites to embed galleries and slideshows into websites. These images are supplied by Bing. Getty claims that these images are not from a licensed or purchased collection of images, effectively turning “the entirety of the world’s online images into little more than a vast, unlicensed ‘clip art’ collection for the benefit of those website publishers who implement the Bing Image Widget, all without seeking permission from the owners of copyrights in those images.”

If you head over to theBing Image Widget website, you will now see an error that says “We have temporarily removed the beta.” Microsoft will keep the tool offline until it can resolve the issue with Getty Images.

Getty, for those who did not know, is a company that produces and provides media, and has a product similar to the Bing Image Widget. However, Getty’s tool is only used on non-commercial websites and includes photographer attribution.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Microsoft takes down Bing Image Widget in light of lawsuit from Getty Images#