Walt Disney Co., Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery sued a Chinese artificial intelligence company called Minimax for copyright infringement on Tuesday, claiming that the AI service is producing well-known characters such as Darth Vader, Minion and Wonder Woman without studio permission.
“Minimax's bootlegging business model and rebellion of the US copyright law is not only an attack on the hardworking creative community that makes the magic of plaintiffs and films, but also a broader threat to the American film industry.”
The entertainment company demanded that Minimax control further infringement. They seek up to $150,000 in damages per breached labor, as well as attorneys' fees and costs.
This is the latest round of copyright lawsuits that major studios have raised against AI companies over intellectual property concerns. In June, Disney and Universal Pictures sued AI company Midjourney for copyright infringement. This month, Warner Bros Discovery also sued the Mid Journey.
Based in Shanghai, Minimax has a service called Hailooai, sold as “Hollywood Studios in Pockets,” and used characters such as Joker and Groot without the studio's permission. Users can enter text prompts requesting characters such as “Star Wars” or Yoda from Superman in DC Comics. HailuoAI can raise high quality, downloadable images and character videos, according to the documents.
“Minimax completely ignores our copyright laws and treats the plaintiff's valuable copyrighted characters as themselves,” the lawsuit states. “Minimax's copyright infringement is intentional and brave.”
“Given the rapid advances in technology in the AI video generation field, it's only a matter of time before Hailuo AI can generate fraudulent and infringing videos, even for the vastly long period of time as film and television programs,” the lawsuit states.
Minimax did not immediately return a request for comment.
Hollywood is tackling key challenges, including the threat of AI, as businesses consolidate and reduce costs amid rising production costs. Many actors and writers, still recovering from the strike that took place in 2023, are rushing to find work. Some believe that AI growth is a threat to their livelihoods, as Tech Tool allows copyrighted characters to be replicated at text prompts.
Some studios are suing AI companies, while others are looking for ways to partner with them. For example, Lionsgate has partnered with AI Startup Runway to help with behind-the-scenes processes, such as storyboarding.
