Disney and Universal file a copyright infringement lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney for allegedly utilizing their intellectual property in generated images.
In a groundbreaking move, Walt Disney Co. and NBCUniversal have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney, marking the first time major Hollywood studios have waded into the conflict between legacy media and generative AI firms. The lawsuit, filed in June 2025, alleges direct and secondary copyright infringement, with the studios seeking undisclosed amounts in damages and court-ordered restrictions on Midjourney's generation tools.
Disney's general counsel stated that AI companies are not exempt from legal standards protecting intellectual property. The studios accuse Midjourney of profiting from unauthorized copies of iconic characters, labelling it as piracy. Disney and Universal claim that Midjourney's service functions as a "virtual vending machine," generating endless unauthorized copies of their copyrighted characters and works.
Midjourney, however, has defended itself by asserting that AI training is protected under the fair use doctrine. The company argues that its training of AI models on copyrighted works is protected as fair use under copyright law and accuses Disney and Universal of trying to "have it both ways" since employees at those companies also use AI tools like Midjourney themselves. Midjourney's legal team has also raised the doctrine of "unclean hands," pointing out that Disney and Universal use generative AI themselves.
As of mid-August 2025, the dispute is ongoing with filings from both sides but no final court ruling yet. Midjourney has publicly stated it requires users to follow terms of service prohibiting copyright infringement, but Disney and Universal contest the effectiveness of these measures.
The lawsuit represents one of the first major legal battles between large entertainment studios and an AI image generator over copyright issues, highlighting the complex legal terrain surrounding AI training and intellectual property rights. Midjourney has amassed around 21 million users in three years since its foundation in 2022 and reported $300 million in revenue last year, a significant increase from the $50 million it earned in its first year of operation.
This legal battle is part of a larger industry crackdown on image generation platforms, with other platforms like Open AI and StabilityAI also targeted in lawsuits by major media brands. The studios maintain that they are obligated to protect the creative labor they have invested in, while Midjourney argues that limiting AI training would harm public interests in the free flow of ideas.
[1] ABC News. (2025, June 1). Disney and NBCUniversal sue AI image generator Midjourney for copyright infringement. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/technology/wireStory/disney-nbcuniversal-sue-ai-image-generator-midjourney-copyright-78423201
[2] The Verge. (2025, June 1). Disney and NBCUniversal sue Midjourney over AI-generated images. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/6/1/23154062/disney-nbcuniversal-sue-midjourney-ai-images-copyright-infringement
[3] Variety. (2025, June 1). Disney and NBCUniversal sue Midjourney over AI-generated images. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/disney-nbcuniversal-sue-midjourney-over-ai-generated-images-1235195304/
[4] TechCrunch. (2025, June 1). Disney and NBCUniversal sue Midjourney over AI-generated images. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/01/disney-nbcuniversal-sue-midjourney-over-ai-generated-images/
[5] CNET. (2025, June 1). Disney and NBCUniversal sue Midjourney over AI-generated images. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/tech/disney-nbcuniversal-sue-midjourney-over-ai-generated-images/
