March Newsbreak
2025
International Digital Media Licensing Conference (IDMLC)
ATLANTA, here we come!
We’re thrilled to announce that the International Digital Media Licensing Conference (IDMLC) 2025 will take place in Atlanta, Georgia—a city at the heart of media, entertainment, and technology. Home to global media giants like CNN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Tyler Perry Studios, as well as a booming creative industry, Atlanta is a powerhouse for content creation and digital innovation.
Beyond business, Atlanta offers a vibrant cultural scene, world-class dining, and deep historical significance as a hub for civil rights and storytelling. Mark your calendars and get ready for an inspiring and impactful conference in one of the most dynamic media markets in the U.S.!
Where: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
When: October 20 - 22
Arrival day and reception - October 20
Education and networking Day 1 - October 21
Education and networking Day 2 - October 22
We will be publishing registration and hotel information in the coming weeks. So please watch for more information, and mark your calendars!
Expert Insights
At DMLA, we’re fortunate to have an incredible network of members shaping the future of digital media production, distribution and licensing. This month, new DMLA member, MediaViz, explores how AI adaptation and personalization are transforming content creation, distribution, and user engagement. As AI continues to evolve, understanding its role in tailoring media experiences is more important than ever. Read on for their expert take on navigating this rapidly changing landscape.
Read the full article HERE!
(If you are a DMLA member and would like to submit an article, please reach out to marketing@dmla.org.)
Dreamstime Integrates Fully-Enabled AI Keywording
BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dreamstime introduces its advanced AI keywording tool, enabling fully automated metadata generation. Titles, descriptions, keywords, and categories of stock photos and illustrations are now crafted instantly and directly from an image, streamlining the submission process, saving time for contributors, and enhancing search accuracy for buyers.
Read the full article HERE!
Webinars Now Available!
Best Practices for Use of Digital Content
The webinar "Best Practices for Use of Digital Content" with Nancy Wolff, her partner, Scott Sholder and Sr. Associate CeCe Cole, from CDAS, is now available! In this insightful session, Nancy covers essential topics like copyright, trademark, and right-of-publicity, along with best practices for sourcing and using digital content legally. Don’t miss this valuable training designed for in-house legal, marketing, advertising, and creative teams.
📺 Watch the full recording HERE!
💻 For more information about CDAS, please visit their website HERE!
Visual & Creative Styles of 2025
Last month, we had the privilege of hosting a webinar with Brenda Milis, Adobe’s Principal of Consumer and Creative Insights. Brenda shared visual and creative trends of 2025.
DMLA members may check out the full video in the member’s area of the DMLA website!
Copyright Corner
Copyright is the foundation of the digital media licensing industry, and at DMLA, we are committed to protecting and advocating for the rights of creators and content owners. That’s why we’re launching Copyright Corner—a dedicated section of our newsletter to keep you informed on the latest developments in copyright law, policy, and enforcement. Each month, we’ll share timely updates, expert insights, and critical industry news to help our members navigate the ever-evolving copyright landscape. This month we are sharing two articles:
DMLA Submits Response to NSF Request for Information on AI Action Plan
The Digital Media Licensing Association (DMLA) appreciates the opportunity to submit the following comments in response to the request for information (RFI) published by the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) National Coordination Office (NCO), National Science Foundation on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Federal Register on February 6, 2025, requesting input from interested parties on priority actions that should be included in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan.(1, 2)
The DMLA is a non-profit, non-partisan trade association founded in 1951 that represents the interests of content creators, digital media producers, distributors, and licensors. Our membership spans thousands of industry professionals across the visual content ecosystem, from individual photographers and illustrators to major stock agencies, technology innovators, and AI developers. For more than seven decades, we have worked to establish business standards, develop best practices, and advocate for copyright protection, privacy rights, fair licensing practices, and now ethical AI development. DMLA members license millions of images, videos, illustrations, vectors, audio, and other creative content globally each day, powering everything from news media and educational materials to corporate communications, advertising campaigns, and entertainment products.
DMLA commends the National Science Foundation, the OSTP, and each federal agency involved in the Administration's coordinated effort to ensure that America's AI dominance is sustained and enhanced. We have been actively engaged in discussions regarding AI and copyright with our members, industry partners, and government agencies, including participating in the Copyright Office's and Patent and Trademark Office's (PTO) studies on AI. We firmly believe that the insights provided by these expert intellectual property agencies on the intersection of copyright and AI should meaningfully inform the development of the AI Action Plan.
DMLA supports the responsible, respectful, and ethical development and use of AI technologies that drive innovation while honoring intellectual property rights. An AI ecosystem that properly values visual content and respects the rights of creators and copyright owners will be stronger and more sustainable than one that doesn’t, and this requires acknowledging the critical role of properly licensed works in AI development. Creators should be able to determine if, how, and when their content is used and shared. Many of our members are exploring how generative artificial intelligence (GAI) can enhance their businesses while developing specialized licensing solutions specifically for AI training and development. We are actively establishing standards for ethical AI practices, content authenticity, and proper attribution across the media landscape, ensuring our industry continues to thrive amid technological transformation….
Read the full submission HERE
U.S. Copyright Office Issues a Notice of Inquiry Initiating a Study of the Copyright Claims Board
Issue No. 1064 - March 10, 2025
As required by the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2020, the Copyright Office has issued a notice of inquiry initiating a study of the Copyright Claims Board (CCB). To inform the study, the Office seeks comments on issues pertaining to the CCB, including its use and efficacy. After completion, the study will be delivered to Congress no later than February 2026.
The notice of inquiry and instructions on how to submit comments are available on the Office’s website. Initial written comments must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time on Friday, May 9, 2025. Written reply comments must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Library of Congress to Host Copyright Public Modernization Committee Meeting - April 3
Issue No. 1065 - March 10, 2025
The Library of Congress issued the following press release:
The Library of Congress has announced the next meeting of the Copyright Public Modernization Committee (CPMC) will take place on Thursday, April 3, at 1:00 p.m. eastern time. This virtual meeting is open to the public.
This second meeting of the second term of the CPMC will highlight results from the limited pilot of the new Enterprise Copyright System (ECS) standard application and group registration functionalities. Attendees will also see a demonstration of the responsive design features in the new Copyright Public Records System (CPRS). Committee members will lead a discussion of the responsive design for ECS, including the planned features for registration, followed by a public question and answer time.
This virtual public forum is free and open to the public. Participants must register in advance to attend. Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.
Copyright Office Continuous Development of IT Systems is a joint effort between the U.S. Copyright Office and the Library of Congress Office of the Chief Information Officer. For more information about Copyright Office technology and to view recordings of previous CPMC meetings, visit the Copyright Office’s Continuous Development website.
The EU AI Act is Coming into Force. Here’s What It Means for You
Morningstar UK recently published an article on the EU Act that is Coming into Force and what is means to financial markets.
Back in April 2021, the European Commission proposed the first EU regulatory framework for artificial intelligence—the Artificial Intelligence Act. The goal: Protect users from risks posed by the deployment of AI systems.
Four years later, parts of the regulation have now come into effect. But what is the EU AI Act? Who does it apply to? What does it mean for financial market participants and how are investors reacting?
Here’s what you need to know.
Read the full article HERE
Your input matters!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent DMLA survey and for those conference attendees who participated in our follow up survey! The information we gathered helped to inform decisions made regarding the conference, as well as provided valuable insight into how members see the value of DMLA membership.
* DMLA membership experience - 70% rated the DMLA experience excellent, 100% good, very good or excellent.
* Value most: Education, Networking, Advocacy or All of the above - 50% said all of the above, followed by 30% saying education & information.
* Top 3 reasons you attended the conference in NY - education/panels and all of the above tied for the top reason, followed by networking, then legal updates.
* Conference timing - the largest group 40% said Fall is the best time, followed by winter and spring.
* 93% of conference attendees rated the conference very good or excellent
* 93% said the conference met or exceeded expectations
* 40%, the largest pool said their main reason for attending was learning, followed by 33% saying networkingWe’re excited to announce the following prize winners, whose names were selected by an auto-generator:
Amazon $100 Winner
Ed Whitley - Bridgeman
Amazon $25 Winners
Keyla DaSilva - Getty Images
Jen Ihl - Stocksy
Matthew Gingrich - Getty Images
To claim your prize, please email marketing@dmla.org.