# Getty Images Files Bankruptcy, Goes Private

> Getty Images plans Chapter 11 bankruptcy and private ownership after abandoning a $3.7 billion merger with Shutterstock.
- Title: Getty Images Files Bankruptcy, Goes Private | Shortify
- Summary: Getty Images plans Chapter 11 bankruptcy and private ownership after abandoning a $3.7 billion merger with Shutterstock. Getty Images will file for Chapter…
- Keywords: getty images, shutterstock, chapter 11, charles koch, koch equity development, stock photography, Getty, Images, Files, Bankruptcy, Goes, Private
- Source: The Hollywood Reporter — https://hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/getty-images-to-file-for-bankruptcy-go-private-1236727902
- Author: Erik Hayden
- Published: 2026-10-12T17:40:02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: getty images, shutterstock, chapter 11, charles koch, koch equity development, stock photography
## Getty Images Abandons Merger
Getty Images abandoned a $3.7 billion merger with Shutterstock after the UK's Competition and Markets Authority blocked the deal.
## Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Plan
Getty Images plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and go private with Charles Koch's investment firm by year-end.
## No Operational Impact
The company says operations, employees, partners, and vendors will face no impact from the restructuring.
## iStock Business Decline
Getty's iStock eCommerce business faces declining agency demand due to rapid AI adoption making stock image creation easy.
## Core Editorial Growth
Getty forecasts its core editorial image unit will grow from $369 million to $400 million by 2029.
## Koch Equity Investment
Koch Equity Development pledged up to $533 million in new equity to help Getty go private and strengthen its financial foundation.
## Key takeaway

Getty Images will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and go private with $533 million in equity from Koch Equity Development.