Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery Take Legal Action Against Chinese AI Firm Amid Escalating Copyright Disputes in Hollywood

Walt Disney Co., Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Discovery have filed a lawsuit against Chinese AI firm MiniMax for copyright infringement, claiming its Hailuo AI service generates iconic characters like Darth Vader and Wonder Woman without consent. The studios argue that MiniMax’s practices not only violate U.S. copyright law but also undermine the creative community that drives the film industry. They seek damages of up to $150,000 per infringement, along with legal fees, and demand an injunction to prevent further violations. This case follows previous lawsuits against AI firms like Midjourney over similar intellectual property concerns. MiniMax’s service allows users to generate high-quality images and videos of copyrighted characters by entering text prompts, raising alarms about the potential for unauthorized content creation. Meanwhile, while some studios pursue legal action, others, like Lionsgate, are exploring partnerships with AI companies to enhance production processes.

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