Disney and NBCUniversal have initiated a federal lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney, accusing it of extensive copyright infringement. The 110-page complaint, filed in Los Angeles, claims Midjourney trained its AI models using numerous copyrighted works without permission, resulting in unauthorized copies of well-known characters from franchises like Star Wars and Shrek. The studios label Midjourney a “copyright-free-rider” that systematically incorporates protected intellectual property to create derivative images.
This legal action marks a significant move by major Hollywood entities into the realm of AI copyright litigation, following similar lawsuits against other AI firms. Both Disney and NBCUniversal emphasize the importance of protecting artistic investments and the rights of creators, with concerns about AI tools undermining traditional content creation and licensing. The lawsuit raises essential questions about the legality of using copyrighted materials for AI training and may set important precedents in the evolving relationship between AI technology and copyright law.
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