Disney and Universal Join Forces to Sue Midjourney for AI Copyright Infringement

Disney and Universal have initiated a lawsuit against the AI firm Midjourney in a California federal court, alleging that it unlawfully uses beloved characters—such as Darth Vader and Spider-Man—without permission or compensation. The lawsuit accuses Midjourney of functioning as a “copyright free-rider,” exploiting decades of creative investment to enhance its generative art platform. The companies argue that Midjourney’s AI tool acts as a “virtual vending machine” for pirated content, generating revenue and a subscriber base of nearly 21 million users by utilizing protected materials. The core of the dispute revolves around the AI’s ability to produce images that closely resemble copyrighted works based on user prompts, undermining the original creators. This clash represents a significant legal confrontation between Hollywood’s creative entities and the technological advancements of Silicon Valley.

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