Warner Bros. Discovery Sues Midjourney Over Alleged Copyright Infringement
Key Points
- Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney.
- The complaint alleges Midjourney creates countless unauthorized images of copyrighted characters.
- Examples include depictions of characters such as Superman, Bugs Bunny, Scooby‑Doo, and others.
- Midjourney is accused of generating infringing images even from generic prompts.
- Warner Bros. Discovery claims the behavior is willful and intended to attract subscribers.
- The lawsuit seeks a court order to stop Midjourney from copying or distributing the content.
- Midjourney has not responded to requests for comment.
Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a lawsuit against the AI image generator Midjourney, accusing the company of repeatedly producing unauthorized copies of its copyrighted characters. The complaint alleges that Midjourney’s tools generate countless infringing images and videos, even when prompts do not specifically name the characters. Warner Bros. Discovery claims the AI service is exploiting its intellectual property to attract subscribers and seeks a court order to halt the alleged violations.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Legal Action
Warner Bros. Discovery has taken legal action against Midjourney, an AI startup that offers image and video generation services. The lawsuit contends that Midjourney "brazenly dispenses" the media company’s intellectual property as if it were its own, creating countless infringing images of well‑known characters.
Allegations of Widespread Infringement
The complaint asserts that Midjourney’s tools produce unauthorized derivatives of Warner Bros. Discovery’s copyrighted works. Examples cited include images of iconic characters such as Superman, Bugs Bunny, Scooby‑Doo, Wonder Woman, Tweety, the Power Puff Girls, and even characters from other popular series. The lawsuit notes that Midjourney can generate these images even when prompts are generic, such as a request for a classic comic‑book superhero battle, which allegedly results in downloadable depictions of multiple superheroes.
Claims of Willful Exploitation
Warner Bros. Discovery argues that Midjourney is fully aware of the extensive scope of the alleged piracy yet continues to provide the content without safeguards. The company describes the behavior as willful and purposeful, stating that Midjourney is exploiting valuable intellectual property to attract and retain subscribers, profiting from the distribution of endless copies and derivatives of protected works.
Relief Sought
The lawsuit seeks a court order that would block Midjourney from reproducing, displaying, or distributing Warner Bros. Discovery’s copyrighted material. It also requests that the AI service implement measures to protect the rights of copyright holders and to cease offering tools that generate infringing content without proper safeguards.
Industry Context
This legal move follows similar actions taken by other major entertainment companies, alleging that AI image generators function as a "virtual vending machine" that creates unlimited unauthorized copies of protected works. Midjourney has not provided a comment in response to the filing.