Warner Bros. is suing AI startup Midjourney for copyright infringement, alleging that the corporate permits customers to generate photos and movies of characters like Superman, Batman, and Bugs Bunny with out permission.
As first reported by Reuters, Warner Bros. says that Midjourney knowingly engaged in wrongful conduct, noting that the corporate beforehand restricted subscribers from producing content material based mostly on infringing photos however just lately lifted these protections.
“Midjourney has made a calculated and profit-driven resolution to supply zero safety for copyright homeowners although Midjourney is aware of concerning the breathtaking scope of its piracy and copyright infringement,” the grievance reads.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, the return of any income earned from the alleged infringement, and a halt to additional violations.
Warner Bros.’ lawsuit follows an identical one filed in June by Walt Disney and Common towards Midjourney for copyright infringement involving characters similar to Darth Vader, Bart Simpson, Shrek, and others. On this case, Midjourney has argued that utilizing these works to coach generative AI fashions is authorized underneath the honest use doctrine of U.S. copyright regulation.
Midjourney didn’t reply to iinfoai’s request for remark.
