Disney and Universal file a lawsuit against Midjourney over AI-related issues
In a Defamatory Load, Disney and Universal square off against AI Company
In a shocking lawsuit, mega-corporations Disney and Universal have accused AI company Midjourney of copyright infringement. Labeling Midjourney as a "bottomless pit of plagiarism," The Guardian reports such claims.
These titans of entertainment allege that Midjourney, through its AI network, has blatantly used libraries from Hollywood studios without permission. Characters such as Darth Vader, Elsa, and the Minions have been sprawled across numerous creations, all without proper authorization.
Disney's Chief Legal Officer, Horacio Gutiérrez, commented, "We celebrate AI's potential to fuel human creativity. But, let's be clear, piracy is piracy. Even if it's coming from a robot developer, it's still a copyright violation."
Universal's Chief Legal Counsel, Kim Harris, echoed Gutiérrez's sentiments, stating, "We're suing to safeguard our creators' hard work, and the investments we make in that content."
The studios are petitioning the court for a preliminary injunction to halt Midjourney from replicating their works, and they seek damages — the exact figure remains undisclosed.
Known for its ability to create images based on text descriptions, Midjourney is an AI network primarily engaged in image work.
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The Midjourney lawsuit sparks a debate about AI's dependence on the supposed "fair use" doctrine for training models on copyrighted materials, potentially leading to significant industry-wide implications. Additionally, the lawsuit sheds light on the broader issue of AI corporations profiting off unauthorized use of copyrighted materials and the artists' labor[1].
The lawsuit against AI company Midjourney by Disney and Universal has extended the debate on AI's dependence on copyrighted materials for training models, particularly in the realm of entertainment. Their allegation that Midjourney used characters like Darth Vader and Elsa without permission raises questions about the ethical boundaries of technology in the entertainment industry.
