The main theme of CEPIC 2025 is “The Future of Licensing.” The event will feature speed-dating sessions for quick introductions and better networking outside of meetings; Workshops on the new world of SEO, metadata best practice and panel debates on the pros and cons of subscriptions; Discussions on AI’s impact on RM and a new era for offline, what’s next for collective licensing and new innovations in infringements that protect existing licences;Tales from the frontline in the fight against disinformation and misinformation in conflict photography and an Industry party to celebrate and connect in a glamorous new venue.

In particular, noteworthy to mention due to the participation of two of Photoconsortium Steering Committee members, John Balean (Topfoto) and Frederik Temmermans (imec), are the following sessions:

Tuesday 13 May | 16:45 – 17:30
Authencity Working Group: Presentation of Results (CEPIC Working Group)
What is a “real” image? What is a “good” or “ethical” GenAI dataset? Are news photographers the only “real” photographers? Do you want to know what a CEPIC working group has to say about it? A CEPIC working group has attempted to define “Authenticity”.

Moderator is Valérie Théveniaud-Violette, participants are John Balean, Anna Dickson, Isabelle Wirth, Philippe François and James Allsworth.

Wednesday 14 May | 15.30 – 16.30
The Role of Blockchains in the Protection of Image Archives
In this panel, we will explore the role of blockchains, and other mechanisms, that preserve provenance, record process, and create trust and transparency in relation to image archives and licensing. This is primarily a response to the rapid circulation of visually convincing Generative AI imagery which has added a new layer of intentional and unintentional disinformation in all forms of media.

Moderator is John Balean, participants are Ari Abelson, Isabelle Wirth and Frederik Temmermans.

Read more about CEPIC 2025 in the event’s website: https://www.cepic.org/cepic/cepic-2025