Warner Bros. Discovery Sues Midjourney for Copyright Infringement on Superman, Scooby-Doo, and Other Icons

Warner Bros. Discovery has initiated a copyright infringement lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney, accusing the company of enabling users to create unauthorized reproductions of its iconic characters, including Superman, Batman, and Scooby-Doo. This lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles federal court, makes Warner Bros. the third major studio to challenge Midjourney, following similar actions by Disney and Universal Pictures. The complaint highlights that users can prompt the AI to create specific images of trademarked characters, showcasing side-by-side comparisons to illustrate infringing details. Warner Bros. argues that Midjourney previously restricted such creations but later relaxed its policies, indicating a disregard for copyright laws. The company seeks unspecified damages and an injunction to prevent further violations, with potential statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringement. As the case unfolds, it underscores ongoing tensions between entertainment firms and AI companies over the use of copyrighted material.

Source link