Warner Bros. Discovery is suing Midjourney for copyright infringement

Published: Friday, September 5, 2025 at 3:58 am

Warner Bros. Discovery Sues Midjourney Over Copyright Infringement

New York, NY - Warner Bros. Discovery has launched a legal battle against the AI image generator Midjourney, alleging copyright infringement. The media giant claims Midjourney is illegally using its intellectual property to train its AI models and generate images and videos of its iconic characters.

The lawsuit centers on Midjourney's ability to produce visuals featuring characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Scooby Doo, and Looney Tunes characters. Warner Bros. Discovery argues that Midjourney's commercial subscription service, which ranges from $10 to $120 per month, profits from the unauthorized use of its copyrighted works. The company contends that Midjourney could prevent the generation of its characters but has chosen not to, prioritizing its revenue stream.

The complaint highlights examples of Midjourney-generated images alongside promotional materials from Warner Bros. productions, demonstrating the alleged infringement. Furthermore, the lawsuit points out that even generic prompts can result in the creation of images featuring Warner Bros. characters.

This isn't the first time Midjourney has faced such accusations. The AI service is already embroiled in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Disney and Universal Studios, which also alleges the unauthorized use of copyrighted materials to train its models.

Warner Bros. Discovery is seeking statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work. Midjourney has been contacted for comment, and this story will be updated upon receiving a response.

BNN's Perspective:

This lawsuit highlights the complex legal challenges posed by rapidly evolving AI technology. While the potential for innovation is undeniable, the need to protect intellectual property rights is paramount. Striking a balance between fostering technological advancement and safeguarding creators' rights will be crucial as AI continues to reshape the creative landscape.

Keywords: Warner Bros. Discovery, Midjourney, copyright infringement, lawsuit, AI, image generator, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, intellectual property, damages, Disney, Universal Studios, AI models, legal, technology, creative landscape

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