Disney and Universal have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Midjourney, alleging the AI platform created unauthorized copies of their characters.
Midjourney, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based image generator platform, is once again embroiled in legal controversy. This time, it faces a lawsuit from Hollywood giants Walt Disney and Comcast’s Universal Pictures. These companies have filed a lawsuit in a Los Angeles federal court, accusing Midjourney of illegally copying their copyrighted characters and materials.
What is the Case About?
Disney and Universal claim Midjourney has created unauthorized copies of thousands of their popular characters and used these copyrighted works for training in its AI image generation process. These characters include well-known figures such as Darth Vader (Star Wars), Elsa (Frozen), Minions, Yoda, Bart Simpson skateboarding, Iron Man, Buzz Lightyear, Shrek, Toothless, and Po.
The Studios’ Argument
In the lawsuit, the studios labeled Midjourney a "vast pit of literary theft," claiming the platform engaged in legally punishable activities by using their copyrighted works for training and then profiting commercially from them. The studios also stated they requested Midjourney to cease or at least limit the creation of AI images copying their characters, but Midjourney refused to comply with any such requests.
Court Relief Sought
Disney and Universal have requested a preliminary injunction from the court to prevent Midjourney from copying the studios' material or using it in AI training. They have also sought unspecified damages.
Midjourney's Silence
To date, there has been no official statement from Midjourney or its CEO, David Holz. However, in a 2022 interview, David Holz stated that his team had conducted a "massive scrape of the internet" and it was not possible to say where every image originated. This statement is now fueling further controversy.
The Clash Between AI Training and Copyright
This case exemplifies the growing conflict between AI technology and copyright. In recent years, many creative communities, including writers, artists, journalists, and music labels, have filed similar lawsuits against AI companies, alleging the unauthorized use of their content to train AI tools.
The Battle for Creativity and Rights
Disney’s legal officer, Horacio Gutiérrez, stated in a release, "The possibilities of AI are vast, but theft cannot be accepted in any form." Meanwhile, Universal's Kim Harris said, "This lawsuit is about protecting the rights of the artists whose hard work brought our stories to life."
MPA Support
The Motion Picture Association (MPA), a leading film industry body, also supported the lawsuit, stating, "Strong copyright protection is the backbone of our industry." MPA President Charles Rivkin added that AI adoption is necessary but requires a balanced approach that protects intellectual property.
Prior Allegations
This is not the first time Midjourney has faced controversy. A year ago, a California court case filed by 10 artists accused Midjourney, Stability AI, and other companies of illegally using and storing artists' works on their servers. The court allowed the case to proceed, and it remains ongoing.
