Warner Bros. Sues Midjourney Over AI-Generated Icons: Copyright Infringement Alleged

Warner Bros. Sues Midjourney Over AI-Generated Images of Beloved Characters LOS ANGELES - Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. has filed a lawsuit against AI startup Midjourney, alleging copyright infringement for generating images and videos of iconic characters such as Superman, Batman, and Bugs Bunny without permission. According to the complaint, Midjourney knowingly engaged in wrongful conduct by lifting restrictions on subscribers who were previously barred from creating content based on infringing images. The lawsuit claims that Midjourney made a "calculated and profit-driven decision" to offer zero protection for copyright owners despite being aware of the scope of its piracy. Warner Bros.' lawsuit follows a similar one filed in June by Walt Disney and Universal against Midjourney, which involved characters like Darth Vader, Bart Simpson, Shrek, and others. In that case, Midjourney argued that using those works to train generative AI models was legal under the fair use doctrine of U.S. copyright law. "We take intellectual property rights very seriously," said a Warner Bros. spokesperson in an interview. "We believe that Midjourney's actions are a clear infringement on our copyrights and we will vigorously defend our rights." Midjourney has not commented publicly on the lawsuit, but its previous statement on the matter noted that using copyrighted works to train AI models is a legitimate use under fair use provisions. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, the return of any profits earned from the alleged infringement, and a halt to further violations. The case highlights the ongoing debate over the intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property rights. As AI-generated content becomes increasingly prevalent, experts warn that the lack of clear regulations and guidelines could lead to widespread copyright infringement. "The use of AI to generate copyrighted material raises complex questions about ownership and control," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a professor of law at Stanford University. "We need to develop clearer rules and standards for this emerging field." The lawsuit against Midjourney is the latest development in a growing trend of companies using AI-generated content without permission. As the technology continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how courts will balance the rights of creators with the demands of innovation. Warner Bros.' lawsuit was filed on February 10 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The case is ongoing and no trial date has been set. Additional reporting by Reuters contributed to this article. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*