Getty Images (GYI)

The company is likely to be sold, driving the stock price up. Getty Images announced in January '08 that it was up for sale to the highest bidder, and it is consulting with Goldman Sachs to find a potential buyer. Private equity firms have demonstrated interest in purchasing Getty, and bids are reportedly exceeding $1.5 billion. If a sale goes through, stock holders will benefit as the new owner will have to purchase shares at a premium price in order to guarantee a majority stake in the firm.

The company is likely to be sold, driving the stock price up. Getty Images announced in January '08 that it was up for sale to the highest bidder, and it is consulting with Goldman Sachs to find a potential buyer. Private equity firms have demonstrated interest in purchasing Getty, and bids are reportedly exceeding $1.5 billion. If a sale goes through, stock holders will benefit as the new owner will have to purchase shares at a premium price in order to guarantee a majority stake in the firm.

Getty has first mover advantage in its industry, it is the clear market leader, and it has demonstrated that it will take action to retain this position. With revenues nearly eight times those of its closest competitor, it is clear that Getty is the dominant firm in the licensed imagery business. The company has additional credibility in that it was the first to sell its images over the internet, which is now the only medium for the distribution of digital imagery. Finally, Getty has consolidated its competitors and branched out into new industries like film and music, showing that it will continue to move aggressively to retain its leading position in the media licensing market.