Entertainment Giants Team Up to Sue AI Image Creator Midjourney
Disney and Universal have filed a joint lawsuit against Midjourney, alleging that the AI image creator infringed upon their copyrights by generating unauthorized images of their copyrighted characters. The lawsuit claims that Midjourney’s AI image-generating service acts as a “virtual vending machine” producing endless unauthorized copies of Disney’s and Universal’s copyrighted works, including characters from “Star Wars,” “The Simpsons,” Shrek, and Minions.
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The complaint states that Midjourney generated $300 million in revenue last year and ignored Disney and Universal’s demands to cease its actions. The companies are now seeking a jury trial, referring to Midjourney as a “quintessential copyright free-rider” and a “bottomless pit of plagiarism.” Midjourney has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This legal action highlights the growing tension between traditional entertainment companies and emerging AI technologies. The lawsuit references specific AI-generated images of copyrighted characters, arguing that these demonstrate Midjourney’s infringement. The case is expected to draw significant attention from both the entertainment and tech industries as it navigates issues of copyright and AI-generated content.
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