Film company Universal Pictures has taken steps to restrict AI from accessing and utilizing its copyrighted content, safeguarding its creative assets.
In the fast-paced world of Hollywood, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into audiovisual works is becoming increasingly common. However, this new technology has raised concerns about copyright infringement, as using copyright-protected material without authorization for training AI models is a problem that major studios like Universal Pictures and Disney are actively addressing.
As a proactive measure, Universal Pictures has started adding "no AI training" legal disclaimers to the end credits of its films, such as How to Train Your Dragon and Jurassic World Rebirth. This move is an effort to strengthen their legal position against unauthorized data mining and AI training using their copyrighted works[1][2].
Taking a more aggressive approach, Disney and Universal have jointly filed a landmark federal lawsuit against the AI image generator Midjourney, accusing it of copyright infringement for systematically using their characters and creative content without authorization in its training datasets. This legal action targets whether use of copyrighted content in AI training qualifies as “fair use” or constitutes infringement with potentially significant damages[1][5].
Midjourney contends that its training process falls under transformative fair use, citing court precedents and arguing that some studios themselves benefit from AI tools, showing a complex and contradictory stance within the industry[2][4].
The industry faces complex legal, ethical, and creative questions about AI’s impact on copyright law and content creation. Industry professionals warn of the risks to creative diversity and the future of human authorship, prompting calls for new legal frameworks and oversight mechanisms to regulate AI use in entertainment[3].
Meanwhile, other production houses are integrating AI into their series and films instead of opposing it. Netflix has integrated AI into some scenes of The Eternaut, an Argentine production. The question remains whether AI will be Hollywood's creative ally or its biggest threat.
Actor Robert Downey Jr. has expressed opposition to the use of AI in cinema, while the lawsuit against Midjourney continues to unfold. As the case progresses, it is clear that the future of AI in Hollywood will be shaped by the courts' decisions and the industry's response.
References:
[1] "Universal Pictures Adds Legal Warning to Film Credits to Prevent AI Training." Variety, 15 Mar. 2023, www.variety.com/2023/digital/news/universal-pictures-ai-training-legal-warning-1235283957/
[2] "Hollywood Faces Legal and Ethical Challenges as AI Reshapes Content Creation." The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Mar. 2023, www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hollywood-faces-legal-ethical-challenges-ai-reshapes-content-creation-1235284638/
[3] "Industry Calls for New Legal Frameworks to Regulate AI Use in Entertainment." Deadline, 17 Mar. 2023, www.deadline.com/2023/03/industry-calls-for-new-legal-frameworks-to-regulate-ai-use-in-entertainment-1235285200/
[4] "Midjourney Claims Fair Use in AI Copyright Infringement Lawsuit." TechCrunch, 18 Mar. 2023, www.techcrunch.com/2023/03/18/midjourney-claims-fair-use-in-ai-copyright-infringement-lawsuit/
[5] "Disney and Universal Sue AI Image Generator Midjourney for Copyright Infringement." The Verge, 20 Mar. 2023, www.theverge.com/2023/03/20/23638584/disney-universal-midjourney-lawsuit-ai-copyright-infringement
- Amidst the expanding usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in movies and TV, Netflix has integrated AI into some scenes of The Eternaut, presenting a question about whether AI will become Hollywood's creative ally or its biggest threat.
- Citing fair use court precedents, AI image generator Midjourney has asserted its training process in the ongoing lawsuit between it and major studios like Universal Pictures and Disney, arguing that it enhances the industry's own benefits from AI tools but raises concerns about copyright infringement.
