Disney and Universal are suing Midjourney over its AI-based image generator, claiming it creates numerous infringing copies of famous characters. The lawsuit points to the transformation of iconic figures like Darth Vader and Elsa in ways that the studios believe do not constitute genuine creativity. Disney's chief legal officer acknowledges the potential for AI to enhance human creativity but emphasizes the importance of respecting copyright laws. The ongoing legal battles reflect the entertainment industry's struggle to embrace AI while protecting its intellectual property.
Disney's chief legal officer Horacio Gutierrez said the firm was "optimistic" about how AI "can be used responsibly as a tool to further human creativity". "But piracy is piracy, and the fact that it's done by an AI company does not make it any less infringing."
Syracuse University law professor Shubha Ghosh said: "A lot of the images that Midjourney produces just seem to be copies of copyright characters that might be in new locations or with a new background."
Randy McCarthy, head of the IP Law Group at US law firm Hall Estill said: "No litigation is ever a slam dunk, and that is true for Disney and Universal in this case."
Collection
[
|
...
]