Warner Bros Sues Midjourney Over AI Use of Iconic Characters
An entertainment studio filed a lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney, accusing it of illegally using characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Bugs Bunny, and Scooby-Doo. The complaint, submitted in Los Angeles federal court, stated that Midjourney trained its services with copyrighted works to produce downloadable, high-quality images of these characters in “every imaginable scene.”
According to the filing, Midjourney once restricted subscribers from creating videos with infringing images. However, it later lifted those safeguards and presented the change as an “improvement.” The complaint emphasized that the company made “a calculated and profit-driven decision to offer zero protection for copyright owners.” The lawsuit seeks damages, a return of profits, and an injunction to block further use.
Similar Legal Battles
This case follows another lawsuit in June by major entertainment companies involving characters like Darth Vader, Bart Simpson, Shrek, and Ariel. Midjourney, launched in 2022 and led by founder David Holz, had nearly 21 million users by September 2024 with estimated revenue of $300 million that year. Neither Midjourney nor its lawyers responded to requests for comment.
In a separate August filing, Midjourney argued that copyright law “does not confer absolute control” and claimed that training generative AI models with copyrighted works constituted fair use. The company maintained this practice supports the free flow of ideas and information.
Broader Copyright Concerns
The lawsuit comes amid a growing wave of complaints by authors, record labels, news outlets, and other creators, who accuse AI firms of exploiting their material without permission. A spokesperson for the studio explained, “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. We filed this suit to protect our content, our partners and our investments.”
The case is registered as Warner Bros Entertainment Inc et al v Midjourney Inc, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 25-08376.
