Why Midjourney Became the Prime Target for Hollywood’s Landmark AI Lawsuit

On June 11, Disney, supported by Universal, filed a lawsuit against Midjourney, an AI image generator, marking a significant stance from major studios on intellectual property issues related to AI. Praised by the Writers Guild of America and other creatives, this lawsuit was seen as overdue action against perceived copyright violations. The suit alleges that Midjourney unlawfully reproduces iconic characters like Buzz Lightyear and Yoda, likening its actions to selling counterfeit merchandise. However, it does not challenge the legality of training AI models on copyrighted works, focusing instead on the outputs. While some Hollywood executives viewed this lawsuit as limited in scope, the studios aim to protect their IP while still exploring AI for cost-cutting in production. Critics warn that the industry’s focus on outputs may still leave the underlying questions of AI’s impact on copyright unresolved. The Animation Guild views the lawsuit as a necessary move to safeguard jobs against AI encroachment.

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