Shutterstock does not accept AI-generated contributor content
Shutterstock's contributor policy says AI-generated content is not accepted from contributors. What that means for AI B-roll sellers, and what Sume docs say.
Shutterstock's contributor policy page, dated 16 July 2025, says it does not accept AI-generated content from contributors. If you hoped to upload generated clips to Shutterstock for sale, that route is closed on the page I read; the stated reasons are IP ownership and artist compensation.
What the pages say
The contributor FAQ adds that contributors' own originals may be modified with Shutterstock's AI editing tools, but those edits stay exclusive to the buyer and do not enter the library. The FAQ I read does not address video.
| Item | Page says |
|---|---|
| AI-generated contributor uploads | Not accepted |
| Reasons given | IP ownership, artist compensation |
| AI-edited originals | Edits exclusive to the purchaser, not added to library |
| Video | Not addressed in the FAQ |
If you generate B-roll yourself
Use it in your own videos and keep the record. Sume bills each video job at provider list times 1.25 and usage.cost is the billable amount, so the cost of a clip is known per job. Whether a model's output can be used commercially depends on that model's terms, which this post does not cover.
Take-away
Do not plan a stock-sales business on generated clips for this marketplace. Re-check the page, because policies change.
Sources
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Written by Sume