Getty Images plans to use Chapter 11 proceedings to restructure its business and transition from public ownership to a private company, with financial backing from Koch Equity Development.
The move follows the collapse of a proposed $3.7 billion merger with Shutterstock. Announced in January 2025, the deal was abandoned after UK regulatory requirements would have forced the combined company to sell Shutterstock's editorial business--an outcome Getty's board did not accept. Getty CEO Craig Peters previously said the company had spent more than $100 million on the proposed merger.
Koch Equity Development, which has supported Getty Images since 2018, is expected to provide about $500 million for the restructuring. Getty says the process is not expected to lead to layoffs or affect its operations, content partners, or vendors. The company aims to complete its transition to private ownership by the end of the year.
The restructuring could reshape how a major visual-content provider manages its business, while offering a measure of stability for the partners and customers who rely on its global image library.
