This is clearly a trojan horse strategy. They are reserving the rights to use these assets offensively in the future. It seems better to be aware of this than not. Getty is offering "conetent" for pixel "real estate" and distribution. This is quite a huge shift from "pay and forget" relationship with image files.

These things are basically sleeper cells.

While this is technically possible, it's much more likely they intend to use the credit line as lead generation for license sales on stock photography. If I sold stock, I would prefer that to the current situation of rampant unlicensed use.