Disney and Universal have filed a lawsuit against Midjourney, an AI image generator with millions of users, for allegedly using copyrighted characters from popular franchises like “Star Wars,” “The Simpsons,” and others without authorization. The 110-page lawsuit claims Midjourney trained its software on these copyrighted works, enabling users to create images that closely mimic Disney’s and Universal’s famous characters, labeling the platform as a “copyright free-rider.” This lawsuit sets a precedent as the first significant legal action from major Hollywood studios against AI-generated content. The companies assert that Midjourney ignored their requests to cease infringement and implement protective measures. Midjourney’s CEO, David Holz, mentioned the lawsuit during a user call but refrained from detailing any legal issues. Disney and Universal seek a jury trial, emphasizing that such activities threaten the essential principles of U.S. copyright law. The outcome could significantly impact the media industry’s approach to AI-generated content.
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Disney and Universal File Lawsuit Against AI Company Midjourney – June 12, 2025
Disney vs. Universal: A Pivotal Lawsuit that Could Reshape AI Copyright Issues
Disney and Universal have filed a lawsuit against the AI image generator Midjourney, accusing it of mass copyright infringement by allowing users to create images resembling their copyrighted characters, such as the Minions and Lion King. The companies claim that Midjourney’s AI was trained on their copyrighted material without permission, asserting that it is a “copyright free-rider” contributing to widespread plagiarism. Experts believe that Disney’s involvement signals a significant shift in AI copyright issues, highlighting the need for AI firms to strengthen protections against copyright violations. Ed Newton-Rex, from Fairly Trained, believes this lawsuit is a win for creators, suggesting it shows that legislation will not easily favor big tech over intellectual property rights. Legal experts predict that Midjourney may struggle to defend itself, especially against a formidable entity like Disney. The lawsuit may also prompt larger AI companies to adopt stricter policies to avoid similar legal challenges.
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OpenAI Postpones Open-Weight AI Model for an Exciting New Development
OpenAI’s open-weight AI model has faced delays since its initial announcement months ago, coinciding with increased competition from companies like Meta, DeepSeek, and xAI, which have launched their own open-weight models. This competitive landscape may be pressuring OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman to deliver a product meeting high expectations. Altman suggests that the research team’s unexpected developments will yield significant results, emphasizing that their upcoming model will be worth the wait. Despite hopes for a summer release, it’s uncertain if OpenAI can meet that timeline while ensuring the model impresses in light of the competitive developments in the market. The heightened anticipation surrounding this model underscores the importance of delivering a standout product.
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ChatGPT Dominates the Internet: OpenAI Captures 80% of the AI Market
ChatGPT dominates the generative AI landscape with 5.5 billion visits in May 2025, accounting for roughly 80% of traffic, far surpassing competitors like Gemini and Claude. Despite a setback earlier in the year, its user base has rebounded significantly, reaching over 500 million weekly active users. In contrast, traditional sectors such as freelance platforms and educational tools have seen drastic declines in user engagement as students increasingly rely on AI for assistance. Chinese startup DeepSeek has also emerged rapidly, growing from 33.7 to 436 million monthly visits within four months, operating at a fraction of the cost of Western models. Though Google’s Gemini and Claude show potential, their user adoption remains limited compared to ChatGPT’s mass appeal. The situation underscores that technical prowess does not guarantee success; rather, meeting user needs effectively drives adoption, with OpenAI’s strategy aligning with user preferences being key to its triumph.
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Unleash the Power of One-Click Video Transformation – West Island Blog
Meta has unveiled advanced video editing tools within its Meta AI platform, allowing users to creatively modify short videos with AI-driven preset prompts. These features are currently accessible in the U.S. via the Meta AI app, Meta.ai website, and the Edits application—positioning it as a competitor to TikTok’s Capcut app. Users can choose from 50 preset editing styles for videos up to 10 seconds long, catering to various creative transformations, such as altering aesthetics or changing lighting. The updates draw inspiration from Meta’s Movie Gen AI models, although the company hasn’t confirmed direct involvement. Edited videos can be shared directly on Facebook and Instagram. Meta emphasizes enabling creative experimentation with these tools, aiming to keep users engaged within its ecosystem rather than relying on external software. Additional customization options are anticipated later this year, further enhancing the creative possibilities for users.
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Disney and NBCUniversal File Lawsuit Against AI Creator Midjourney Over Copyright Issues
Disney and NBCUniversal have initiated a lawsuit against Midjourney, an AI image generator, in California for alleged copyright infringement. The claim states that Midjourney used and distributed proprietary characters from popular franchises like “The Simpsons,” “Star Wars,” and “Shrek” without authorization. This legal action marks a significant moment, as it is the first AI-related infringement case brought by major Hollywood entities. The studios argue that Midjourney’s operations threaten U.S. copyright law and the creative industry’s foundation. They claim the company’s website features thousands of AI-generated images infringing on their works and that Midjourney ignored prior cease-and-desist requests. With reported revenues exceeding $300 million in 2023, the studios seek monetary damages and injunctive relief to prevent future violations. IP attorney Chad Hummel emphasized the lawsuit’s importance in protecting intellectual property rights in the evolving digital landscape.
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Midjourney Hit with Copyright Lawsuit from Disney and Universal Pictures – Digital Music News
Midjourney, an AI-driven image generation platform, is facing a copyright lawsuit filed by Disney and Universal Pictures. The two entertainment giants claim that Midjourney’s technology infringes on their intellectual property rights by using copyrighted images to train its AI models without permission. Disney and Universal argue that this practice not only undermines their control over their creative assets but also creates unfair competition in the entertainment industry. The lawsuit raises broader questions about the legality and ethics of AI technology in creative fields, particularly regarding how AI models learn from existing works. As the case unfolds, it highlights the ongoing tension between innovation in AI and protecting artistic rights, setting a potential precedent for similar cases in the future. The outcome may have significant implications for the use of AI in content creation, prompting a reevaluation of copyright laws in the digital age.
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Canva Introduces AI Integration in Developer Job Interviews • The Register
Canva, the Australian graphic design SaaS company, has revamped its developer hiring process to include the use of AI coding assistants during technical interviews. Originally founded in 2012 and serving over 220 million monthly users with $3 billion in annual revenue, Canva has shifted from assessing candidates solely on traditional coding skills to embracing tools like Copilot, Cursor, and Claude. Head of Platforms Simon Newton explained that nearly half of their engineers use AI daily, making proficiency in these tools essential for productivity and competitiveness in software development. Although the initial response from existing engineers raised concerns about diminishing emphasis on computer science fundamentals, Canva assures that core skills will still be evaluated in new forms. The pilot process aims to test candidates on their ability to leverage AI effectively, tackle complex problems, and make sound technical decisions, emphasizing that the future of engineering integrates human creativity with AI capabilities.
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Unreal Editor for Fortnite: Aiming Higher Than Just Darth Vader with Its AI Character Creation Tool
Epic Games advanced its conversational AI in Fortnite by introducing an AI version of Darth Vader that interacts with players. Later this year, users of Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) will access a new tool called the Persona Device, enabling creators to design their own AI characters. During the 2025 State of Unreal keynote, Epic showcased a demo featuring a robot named Mr. Buttons, which engages players in humorous dialogue, responding to various prompts with personality. This AI can affect in-game environments, although it operates within programmed boundaries. Despite the AI’s amusing interactions, the novelty may wear off quickly, raising questions about its long-term entertainment value. Additionally, there are concerns about the risks of conversational AI in games, especially in relation to intellectual properties. While the Persona Device may offer unique experiences, its effectiveness ultimately depends on how creators implement it. Epic has pledged to address potential misuse of the technology.
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Meta AI Introduces Advanced Video Editing Features
Meta has announced the addition of video editing capabilities to its Meta AI platform, allowing users to edit short videos with preset AI prompts to change costumes, locations, and styles. This move positions Meta against competitors like Google and other AI editing platforms such as Captions. The new tools are available on the Meta AI app, the Meta.ai website, and Edits, Meta’s competitor to CapCut, in the U.S. Currently, users have access to 50 presets for editing 10-second videos, designed based on feedback from creators. Examples of presets include applying a “vintage comic book style,” altering lighting to simulate weather conditions, or changing subjects’ outfits. Users can share their edited videos directly on Facebook and Instagram. Meta aims to enhance customization options later this year, encouraging creativity and interaction among users, while also steering them towards using its own tools instead of third-party apps.
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