The Stakes: Damages, Injunctions, and AI’s Legal Future
The studios are seeking maximum statutory damages, a full accounting of profits, and a permanent injunction to block Midjourney from using or distributing content that infringes on their copyrights.
They also accuse Midjourney of secondary infringement by allowing users to prompt the AI to generate images of protected characters and of falsely implying endorsement by using these characters in promotional materials.
While Midjourney did not immediately respond to media inquiries, Disney and Universal’s top legal executives were swift and unambiguous in their statements.
“We are bullish on the promise of AI,” said Horacio Gutierrez, Disney’s chief legal officer. “But the fact that it’s an AI company doesn’t make it any less infringing.”
NBCUniversal’s general counsel Kim Harris echoed the sentiment:
“Creativity is the cornerstone of our business. We’re bringing this action to protect the hard work of artists and the investments that make it possible.”
