Adobe Stock updates generative AI submission and labeling rules for contributors
Adobe Stock updated its generative AI content guidelines on June 11, 2026. The rules require contributors to have the necessary rights to submit generative AI assets for commercial licensing, prohibit prompt and metadata references to artists, real people, fictional characters, copyrighted works, government agencies, and third-party IP, and explain when AI labels and fictional people/property checkboxes are required.
Why visual creators should care
For stock contributors, photographers, illustrators, designers, and AI image creators, this is a practical submission-risk update. A contributor can lose content or even face account termination if prompts, titles, keywords, releases, or labels do not match Adobe’s AI content rules.
Practical takeaway
Contributors should keep a submission record for every AI-assisted stock asset: tool used, prompts, rights to source inputs, release status, whether real or fictional people/property appear, and whether generative AI labeling is required.
What to watch next
Watch whether Adobe tightens enforcement around artist names, fictional characters, copyrighted works, source images used as prompts, and AI-assisted edits that change or add primary subjects.
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iStock AI Generator FAQ clarifies reference-image licensing and resale limits
iStock’s AI Generator FAQ says AI-generated images are covered by its standard licensing agreement, but cannot be used in resale products such as print-on-demand products or electronic templates. It also says licensed or unlicensed iStock creative images can be used as reference images, but any iStock visual used to inspire a downloaded AI image must be licensed before download.
Why visual creators should care
For agencies, designers, marketers, and stock buyers, this shows how stock libraries are moving from simple image licensing into AI reference-image workflows. A stock image can become a colour, composition, or concept reference for a generated image, but licensing obligations may still attach to the source reference.
Practical takeaway
Client agreements should state whether stock imagery may be used as AI reference material, who must license the reference image, whether generated outputs can be used in resale products, and whether indemnity or legal protection changes after AI generation or modification.
What to watch next
Watch whether iStock, Getty, Adobe Stock, and Shutterstock continue separating ordinary stock licensing from AI reference-image use, AI modification rights, resale-product restrictions, and contributor compensation.
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Midjourney’s current terms place ownership, input rights, and non-infringement risk on users
Midjourney’s current Terms of Service, effective May 27, 2026, say users own assets they create to the fullest extent possible under applicable law. The terms also require users to have necessary rights and permissions for content they provide, grant Midjourney a broad license to input and output content, and provide the service and assets without title or non-infringement warranties.
Why visual creators should care
For designers, illustrators, agencies, and AI image creators, this is a reminder that tool output permission is not the same as clean copyright ownership or client-ready exclusivity. A creator may be able to use an output commercially while still carrying responsibility for prompts, uploads, source images, and downstream infringement risk.
Practical takeaway
Before delivering Midjourney-generated or Midjourney-assisted assets to a client, creators should check whether the project requires exclusivity, non-infringement warranties, source-file confidentiality, or restrictions on platform reuse of prompts, uploads, and outputs.
What to watch next
Watch whether clients begin asking creators to disclose which AI tools were used, whether inputs were uploaded, whether outputs are exclusive, and whether the tool terms conflict with client ownership or confidentiality expectations.
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