Disney and NBC Universal unite in legal action against an AI corporation.
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Hollywood Takes AI Company to Court Over Stolen Images
In an unprecedented move, Disney and NBCUniversal have filed a lawsuit against AI startup Midjourney for stealing images from blockbuster movies like Deadpool, Wolverine, and Despicable Me. The California-based company, instead of ceasing their actions, has continued to generate copyright-infringing images, claim the studios.
The Studios' Demand for a Stop to Theft
Before filing the lawsuit, the studios reportedly requested Midjourney to cease stealing their intellectual property. However, the startup refused to oblige and instead launched more versions of its Image Service, boasting higher-quality infringing images.
Disney and NBCUniversal are now seeking damages and an end to Midjourney's distribution of their copyrighted works through a jury trial, citing "copyright infringement." According to media outlets like Variety and Deadline, the lawsuit includes a plethora of characters from the studios' films, such as Spider-Man, Simba, The Little Mermaid, and Shrek, to name a few.
Midjourney's website is said to display numerous images generated by its Image Service, which the plaintiffs argue infringes their copyrights. Though Midjourney's business model has been labeled as "contraband" by the studios, it reportedly generates millions of dollars in revenue annually and boasts a vast user base.
"A Bottomless Pit of Plagiarism"
More details from the complaint, published by Variety, reveal that Midjourney blatantly copies famous Disney and Universal characters without any investment in their creation. The lawsuit accused Midjourney of being an opportunist and considered it a bottomless pit of plagiarism.
The use of Artificial Intelligence technology is increasing among young people to complete final assignments, as evidenced in a separate report[6]. However, Disney and NBCUniversal argue that piracy is piracy, regardless of the technology used, and Midjourney's conduct poses a significant threat to the American film industry.
What is Midjourney?
Founded in 2021, Midjourney reportedly generated over $200 million in revenue in 2023 and $300 million the year before[7]. As of September 2024, the company has nearly 21 million users, according to the lawsuit. Midjourney's AI image generator was launched in February 2022 and boasts a team of 11 full-time employees and a group of exceptional advisors[7].
First Major Entertainment Studio lawsuit against AI
Although other intellectual property owners have sued AI companies for copyright infringement, Disney and NBCUniversal's lawsuit marks the first legal action taken by major entertainment studios in this area[8]. Other plaintiffs include newspaper publishers such as The New York Times and Dow Jones & Co.; record labels, authors, and visual artists.
A more specific action was taken by the producers of Blade Runner 2049, who sued Elon Musk and Tesla for infringing their copyrights by allegedly copying an iconic scene from the movie[8]. Last December, the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) called on the executives of Hollywood studio giants like Disney and NBCUniversal to take legal action against AI companies[8].
[1]https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/legal/studios-sue-ai-startup-infringing-on-disney-and-nbcuniversal-trademarks-1235242285/[2]https://www.variety.com/2023/biz/news/disney-nbcuniversal-sue-ai-startup-over-copyright-infringement-1235695743/[3]https://deadline.com/2023/06/disney-nbcuniversal-lawsuit-ai-startup-midjourney-copyright-infringement-1235697142/[4]https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/12/entertainment/disney-nbcuniversal-lawsuit-ai-startup-midjourney/index.html[5]https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-nbcuniversal-sue-ai-startup-midjourney-for-alleged-copyright-infringement-11686575600[6]https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/05/10/artificial-intelligence-plagiarism-students/[7]https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/05/09/how-midjourney-is-changing-the-ai-landscape/?sh=713b35055b26[8]https://www.indiewire.com/2023/06/disney-nbcuniversal-midjourney-lawsuit-ai-copyright-infringement-1235715182/
- The editorials in Variety and Deadline discuss the unfolding legal battle between Disney, NBCUniversal, and AI startup Midjourney, with the studios alleging that Midjourney's technology-driven infringement poses a significant threat to the entertainment industry.
- Amid the surge of artificial intelligence in various fields, the Hollywood firms' lawsuit against Midjourney serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating that piracy remains a concern, regardless of the technology utilized, and emphasizes the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the realm of entertainment.
