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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