Getty Images / Shutterstock merger inquiry
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Getty Images Holdings, Inc. of Shutterstock, Inc.
Statutory timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 20 October 2025 | Deadline for phase 1 decision (*) |
| 22 August 2025 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 23 June 2025 to 7 July 2025 | Invitation to comment |
(*) Whilst the CMA will seek to determine its investigation as quickly as possible, the statutory deadline can be extended in exceptional circumstances.
Phase 1
Launch of merger inquiry
22 August 2025: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (22.8.25)
Invitation to comment: closed
23 June 2025: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.
The CMA is issuing this ‘invitation to comment’ to allow interested parties to submit to the CMA any views on the impact that the transaction could have on competition in the UK. The CMA has not yet launched its formal investigation into this transaction.
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.
Contact
Please send written representations about any competition issues to: gettyImages.shutterstock@cma.gov.uk
Your name and contact details are your personal data. In collecting, receiving, storing, accessing and using your personal data, the CMA, as controller, is processing your personal data. The CMA processes personal data in accordance with data protection law. The CMA is processing your personal data so that it can contact you again, should it need further help or information from you, in order to carry out its merger work under Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002. For more information about how the CMA processes personal data and your rights relating to that data, please see our Privacy Notice.
Updates to this page
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Commencement notice published
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First published.