Disney and NBCUniversal Launch Groundbreaking AI Lawsuit Against Midjourney

Tech
By 24matins.uk,  published 12 June 2025 at 19h04, updated on 12 June 2025 at 19h05.
Tech

For the first time, entertainment giants Disney and NBCUniversal have launched legal action against AI image generator Midjourney. The lawsuit signals a significant move by major studios to address copyright concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in content creation.

Tl;dr

  • Disney and NBCUniversal sue Midjourney over AI image use.
  • Iconic franchises like Star Wars and Shrek at stake.
  • Case could reshape copyright in the AI era.

    • In a significant move shaking up the entertainment landscape, Disney and NBCUniversal have launched a lawsuit against California-based firm Midjourney. The case, brought before the federal court in Los Angeles, targets what the studios allege is the unauthorized use of their most celebrated intellectual properties. As artificial intelligence continues to blur the lines between artistic originality and algorithmic generation, this legal action underscores just how fraught those boundaries have become.

    Iconic Characters at the Heart of Controversy

    What’s particularly striking here is the scale and prominence of the content involved. According to the complaint, Midjourney‘s AI models are accused of drawing from protected works such as Star Wars, Shrek, and The Simpsons. The studios claim that, during its training process, Midjourney « aidée à elle-même à une myriade d’œuvres protégées par le droit d’auteur lors de l’entraînement de ses modèles, lesquels créent et diffusent ensuite des copies innombrables. » In other words, they argue that AI systems are replicating — even proliferating — creative assets without consent or compensation.

    Cautious Embrace of Artificial Intelligence

    Interestingly, both companies avoid a blanket rejection of new technologies. In statements following the lawsuit, Horacio Gutierrez, Chief Legal Officer for Disney, emphasized, « Nous croyons au potentiel créatif de l’IA utilisée de manière responsable » », while also warning that « la piraterie reste la piraterie, même sous couvert technologique. » His counterpart at NBCUniversal, Kim Harris, was equally emphatic about protecting « le travail acharné des artistes et nos investissements considérables dans ces créations. » This dual approach—open to innovation but firmly protective of rights—reflects broader industry anxieties as generative AI becomes more capable.

    The significance of this case extends well beyond these two giants. For the first time, leading Hollywood studios are confronting an AI company head-on regarding alleged copyright infringement. It’s worth noting that recent months have seen similar lawsuits filed against other prominent technology players such as OpenAI, Meta, and Perplexity AI. At this stage, it remains uncertain what impact these legal battles will ultimately have. However, one thing is clear: this courtroom showdown may fundamentally reshape how creative ownership is defined and defended in an age dominated by generative algorithms.