AI Court Decision: Elon Musk's Tesla Remains Liable for Copyright Breach in Blade Runner 2049 Case
In the bizarre world of tech versus Hollywood, Alcon Entertainment, producers of the gritty sci-fi film, Blade Runner 2049, are taking on Tesla and Elon Musk in a copyright lawsuit. The bone of contention? An image strikingly similar to a scene from the movie, reportedly used in Tesla's promotional material for their autonomous taxicab, 'We, Robot.'
The lawsuit, brimming with allegations, claims that Tesla cashed in on the Blade Runner 2049 brand without securing permission, using an AI image generator to create the promotional content[1][2][3]. The image in question portrays Ryan Gosling's Officer K standing against an orange-hued wasteland backdrop, flanking a futuristic vehicle, a striking resemblance to the scene in the movie.
Initially, Alcon petitioned against Tesla for alleged copyright infringement, false association, and direct, vicarious, and contributory infringement under the Lanham Act[1][4]. However, the court sided with Tesla and Warner Bros., dismissing most of the claims, except for contributory infringement.
The technicality highlights a unique scenario. Tesla, in a hurry, requested and was denied permission to use Blade Runner 2049 assets hours before the presentation. Given the time crunch, the court deemed it plausible for Tesla to have turned to an AI image-generator to create their promotional image[1][4]. Noteworthy is Alcon's claim that it had previously denied the use of Blade Runner 2049 assets to Tesla.
Interestingly, the Lanham Act claim, invoking false association, is likely to be dismissed[1][4]. It seems Musk only mentioned the film once during the event, not in a way that could imply a legitimate connection to Alcon's accusations.
This odd saga underlines the complexities that arise when AI-generated content mirrors existing copyrighted works, potentially setting precedents for the treatment of AI-generated content under copyright law[3].
On a side note, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming releases in the Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who universes. Stay tuned for more news and updates!
[1] Louise, S. (2021) Tesla Wants a Judge to Throw Out 'Blade Runner 2049' Lawsuit Over AI-Generated Images. The Hollywood Reporter. URL: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tesla-blade-runner-2049-lawsuit-ai-unlicensed-promotional-materials-1235062237/
[2] Bell, J. (2021) Warner Bros. Sued Over Alleged Use Of Blade Runner 2049 Image For Tesla Cybertruck Ad. Forbes. URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesbell/2021/11/12/warner-bros-sued-over-alleged-use-of-blade-runner-2049-image-for-tesla-cybertruck-ad/?sh=6e39fd904677
[3] Borthwick, A. (2021) Alcon Sues Elon Musk and Tesla Over Blade Runner 2049 Cybertruck Photo. Variety. URL: https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/alcon-sues-elon-musk-tesla-blade-runner-2049-cybertruck-photo-1235022206/
[4] Madrigal, A. I. (2021) Can AI Steal Copyrights? The Atlantic. URL: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/08/ai-machine-learning-steal-copy-paste/538378/
- The lawsuit against Tesla by Alcon Entertainment over an image resembling a scene from Blade Runner 2049, used in Tesla's promotional material for their autonomous taxicab, 'We, Robot', continues to escalate.
- Despite initial allegations, a court dismissed most of the copyright infringement claims against Tesla, citing a time crunch that led to the use of an AI image generator to create the promotional content.
- Tesla was denied permission to use Blade Runner 2049 assets hours before their presentation, but the court found it plausible that they resorted to AI-generated content due to the time constraints.
- The case could set a precedent for the treatment of AI-generated content under copyright law, as it explores the complexities arising when AI-created content mirrors existing copyrighted works.
