WASHINGTON -- The Carlyle Group LP on Thursday completed its acquisition of a controlling stake in Getty Images Inc. in a deal worth about $3.3 billion.
The private equity firm partnered with Getty's co-founders, Mark Getty and Jonathan Klein, and with the Getty family in buying the company from another private equity firm, Hellman & Friedman.
Carlyle, which is based in Washington, has just over 50 percent control, with the remainder mostly held by the Getty family and a smaller stake for the company's management.
Getty creates and distributes still images, video and multimedia products for customers to use in brochures, websites and other outlets.
Hellman & Friedman bought Getty Images and took it private in 2008 in a deal valued at $2.04 billion.
Carlyle shares were unchanged at $26.32 in midday trading.