TLDR: Warner Bros. Discovery has initiated a copyright infringement lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney, alleging the unauthorized use of its iconic characters like Superman, Batman, and Scooby-Doo for AI training and the generation of infringing content for subscribers. This legal action follows similar suits filed by Walt Disney Co. and Universal Pictures, intensifying Hollywood’s battle against generative AI over intellectual property rights.
In a significant development for the burgeoning field of generative artificial intelligence, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced on September 4, 2025, that it has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Midjourney Inc., a prominent AI image-generating platform. This move positions WBD alongside Walt Disney Co. and Comcast’s Universal Pictures, who initiated similar legal battles against Midjourney in June, marking a coordinated effort by major Hollywood studios to address the unauthorized use of their intellectual property by AI technologies.
The lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles federal court, accuses Midjourney of ‘blatantly and purposefully infringing [our] copyrighted works’ by utilizing WBD’s extensive catalog of characters for training its AI models. The complaint specifically highlights the platform’s ability to produce ‘blatant rip-offs’ of beloved and copyright-protected characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tom and Jerry, Rick & Morty, and even Harry Potter. WBD’s legal filing reportedly includes compelling side-by-side comparisons of official artwork and AI-generated images to demonstrate the striking similarities, down to minute details such as the color of Scooby-Doo’s collar and fur.
In a statement, Warner Bros. Discovery emphasized its commitment to protecting its creative assets: “The heart of what we do is develop stories and characters to entertain our audiences, bringing to life the vision and passion of our creative partners. Midjourney is blatantly and purposefully infringing copyrighted works, and we filed this suit to protect our content, our partners, and our investments.” The lawsuit further alleges that Midjourney recently removed ‘guardrails’ that previously prevented users from creating infringing videos, suggesting a ‘calculated and profit-driven decision to offer zero protection for copyright owners.’
Midjourney, which describes itself on its website as ‘an independent research lab exploring new mediums of thought and expanding the imaginative powers of the human species,’ has yet to officially respond to WBD’s specific complaint. However, in its defense against the earlier Disney-Universal lawsuit, Midjourney has argued that its use of copyrighted material for AI training falls under the legal doctrine of ‘fair use,’ a protection intended for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, research, or parody. The company has also attempted to shift responsibility to its millions of paid subscribers, asserting that users are bound by the platform’s terms of service, which prohibit intellectual property violations.
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Warner Bros. Discovery is seeking statutory damages of $150,000 per infringed work. Given the vast number of images potentially generated on Midjourney, this could result in substantial financial penalties for the AI firm. The outcome of these lawsuits is anticipated to have a profound impact on the future of copyright law and the development of generative AI technologies, potentially redefining the boundaries of intellectual property in the digital age.
