Disney and Universal File $300M Lawsuit Against AI Startup Midjourney for Alleged ‘Endless Plagiarism’ in Landmark Case

Disney and Universal have filed a significant copyright lawsuit against Midjourney, an AI startup known for its text-to-image generator that allows users to create visuals of copyrighted characters. The complaint, lodged in a Los Angeles court, claims that Midjourney has unlawfully built a commercial entity using the studios’ intellectual property, despite receiving cease-and-desist letters. Midjourney, which has quickly grown since its 2021 launch and reportedly made $300 million last year, is accused of ignoring the studios’ demands while profiting from their characters. The lawsuit specifically mentions unauthorized representations of well-known figures like Darth Vader and Elsa, arguing that Midjourney poses a significant threat to both copyright laws and the U.S. film industry. Disney and Universal seek a jury trial to clarify the legal limits on AI-generated content, framing their case as essential for protecting the creative economy. This lawsuit comes amid increasing legal challenges in the AI domain.

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