In a blockbuster courtroom clash, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Universal joined forces Tuesday to sue Chinese artificial intelligence firm MiniMax, accusing it of exploiting Hollywood’s most beloved characters—from Spider-Man to Darth Vader—to churn out what they call “an endless supply of pirated images and videos.”
A Hollywood Studio in Your Pocket—Or Piracy at Scale?
Founded in 2021, MiniMax operates Hailuo AI, a flashy service it markets as a “Hollywood studio in your pocket.” But the lawsuit claims its secret ingredient isn’t innovation—it’s theft. The complaint accuses MiniMax of building its tools by ripping copyrighted content on a massive scale, encouraging users to create and download infringing media featuring iconic characters.
One ad allegedly lured subscribers with videos of Disney’s Groot and Rocket Raccoon, alongside Warner Bros.’ Supergirl. The suit says users can type in a simple prompt—“Spider-Man swinging between buildings”—and instantly receive polished, branded downloads of the superhero in action.
