Disney and Universal have slammed AI image generator Midjourney with a copyright lawsuit. This is the first major Hollywood legal battle targeting AI over intellectual property.
The studios accuse Midjourney of using and distributing AI-created images of iconic characters from Star Wars, The Simpsons, Cars, Toy Story, Shrek, The Avengers, and more. They claim the AI company ignored repeated requests to stop.
They want a jury trial, arguing Midjourney’s actions threaten the foundation of U.S. copyright law. 
The studios are blunt:
“Midjourney is the quintessential copyright free-rider and a bottomless pit of plagiarism,” the movie studios said, calling the actions “calculated and willful.”
Both Disney and Universal sent legal letters demanding Midjourney halt the use of their copyrighted characters. Midjourney allegedly reviewed but never responded to Disney, and did not respond at all to Universal.
NBCUniversal EVP Kimberley Harris said this case is about protecting artists’ work and huge content investments.
“Creativity is the cornerstone of our business,” she said. “We are bringing this action today to protect the hard work of all the artists whose work entertains and inspires us and the significant investment we make in our content.”
Disney legal chief Horacio Gutierrez added:
“We are bullish on the promise of AI technology and optimistic about how it can be used responsibly as a tool to further human creativity,” said Horacio Gutierrez, senior executive vice president and chief legal and compliance officer of The Walt Disney Company, in a statement. “But piracy is piracy, and the fact that it’s done by an AI company does not make it any less infringing.”
The complaint is filed at the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. CNBC reached out to Midjourney for comment.
This lawsuit sharply raises the stakes for AI and copyrighted media content.
WATCH: Disney, Universal file complaint against AI company Midjourney alleging copyright
