Disney, Universal sue Midjourney for stealing "countless" copyrighted works
Disney and Universal Studios filed a lawsuit against AI company Midjourney accusing it of unlawfully using millions of their copyrighted characters and images to train its AI and produce infringing AI-generated art. What happened Midjourney allegedly trained its AI model using an immense quantity of copyrighted works, including Disney’s Marvel superheroes, Star Wars characters, and Universal’s Shrek and Minions, without obtaining permission. The company then allowed users to generate images that closely replicate these iconic characters, profiting through subscriptions and distribution of unauthorised derivative works. This has potentially harmed the studios’ intellectual property rights, brand value, and revenue streams by enabling widespread reproduction without licensing or control. Why it happened Midjourney's actions exemplify a “copyright free-rider” secretly exploiting existing creative works for commercial gain without proper licensing. The studios allege previous warnings were ignored, compelling legal action to enforce their IP rights. What it means For the studios and creators , the lawsuit is critical to protecting their copyrighted content, financial interests, and creative control. For society , the case underlines growing challenges in regulating AI technologies and highlights the pressing need for clear legal rules on the training of AI systems. A legal precedent in this case could shape the future boundaries of AI-generated content and copyright enforcement, impacting artists, companies, and consumers alike. System 🤖 Midjourney Developer: Midjourney Country: USA Sector: Media/entertainment/sports/arts Purpose: Train AI m odels Technology: Generativ e AI; Machine learning Issue: Accountability; Copyright; Transparency Regulation ⚖️ U.S. Copyright Act Legal, regulatory 👩🏼⚖️ Disney Enterprises Inc. et al v. Midjourney Inc.
- Date it happened
- 2025-06-01
- Product, system or model
- Midjourney
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