AI image generator Midjourney is facing serious legal repercussions as it has been sued by industry giants Disney and Universal. According to reports, the two companies claim that Midjourney’s unauthorized utilization of their famous characters labels it a “bottomless pit of plagiarism.”

Midjourney is an AI tool that generates images based on text prompts, allowing users to create virtually anything, including fictional scenarios not appropriate for existing copyrighted content like, for example, ‘Snow White stabbing Shrek with a lightsaber.’

This issue arises because a significant amount of the imagery produced by Midjourney leverages characters belonging to other creators. The lawsuit describes its operation as akin to a “virtual vending machine,” generating multiple unlicensed replicas of Disney and Universal’s copyrighted works.

“By appropriating the Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works without any payment and subsequently distributing images (and likely videos soon), notable for their incorporation and reproduction of characters from Disney and Universal, Midjourney is the embodiment of copyright infringement and a bottomless pit of plagiarism. Piracy is piracy, and the use of AI or any other technology has no bearing on its legality.”

Disney and Universal previously urged Midjourney to cease these practices, but according to the lawsuit, the company opted instead to enhance and release more advanced iterations of its tool. The legal claim notes that Midjourney has also started to train its forthcoming video service on copyrighted content, raising further eyebrows regarding potential violations.

This is not the first time Midjourney has faced a lawsuit; in 2023, artists initiated a class action against it, StabilityAI, and DeviantArt, alleging misuse of copyright material for training purposes.

However, the stakes are markedly higher in this case given that it involves Disney and Universal, enormous corporations with formidable legal teams capable of intimidating even the most powerful states. The timeframe and relevance of this case indicate that it won’t be resolved quickly.

The lawsuit features various images generated by Midjourney that depict Disney’s and Universal’s characters like Darth Vader, Minions, Shrek, and Yoda. Users can easily find these creations on Midjourney’s official website, specifically showcased on its ‘Explore’ page.

“Midjourney’s unauthorized business model is an attack not only on Disney and Universal and the dedicated creative community that brings films to life but also aligns with a broader threat to the American film industry which supports millions of jobs and contributes substantially to the U.S. economy.”

The legal documents assert that Midjourney’s practices are a blatant violation of established copyright laws and undermine the rights of originality and creativity that protect the livelihood of creators.

As the battle unfolds, the implications of this case could foster new definitions and limitations concerning what generative AI services can lawfully generate, ensuring that the intellectual rights of creators are respected and maintained.