Disney and Universal File Lawsuit Against AI Company Midjourney – June 12, 2025

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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