Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery have sued a Chinese company over copyright infringement. The lawsuit alleges that MiniMax image- and video-generating service Hailuo AI utilized intellectual property that was stolen from the three Hollywood studios.
The suit was filed in a district court in California and claims that MiniMax “audaciously” utilized the studios’ famous copyrighted characters to market Hailuo as a “Hollywood studio in your pocket” to advertise and promote its services.
Hailuo could utilize a text prompt to create downloadable images and videos that included the likeness of characters, including Darth Vader from Star Wars, minions from Despicable Me, and Wonder Woman. According to the lawsuit, all of this was done with MiniMax Hailuo branding.
The studios requested MiniMax to take reasonable measures to avoid infringement with its AI, which the company failed to heed or act on. The studios say that MiniMax actively engaged in and encouraged infringement by disregarding United States copyright law and also treating the valuable copyrighted characters as if they were its own.
“A responsible approach to AI innovation is critical, and today’s lawsuit against MiniMax again demonstrates our shared commitment to holding accountable those who violate copyright laws, wherever they may be based,” the companies said in a statement.
The studios are seeking any profits or financial gains from MiniMax’s alleged copyright infringement, along with a court order to halt future infringement and prevent the company from offering Hailuo AI services without copyright protections.
This is not the first case that was filed by Hollywood studios regarding copyright infringement and AI. Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. Discovery, and others have filed suits against AI companies alleging copyright infringement of one type or another.
