Disney hits Google with cease-and-desist claiming ‘massive' copyright infringement

Core Points - Disney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google, alleging copyright infringement on a massive scale [1] - The letter claims that Google has used AI models and services to distribute unauthorized images and videos of Disney's copyrighted characters [1][2] - Disney's letter describes Google as operating like a "virtual vending machine" that reproduces and distributes copies of its valuable intellectual property [2] - The infringing images generated by Google's AI services are reportedly branded with Google's Gemini logo, misleadingly suggesting Disney's endorsement [2] - The letter specifically mentions infringement of characters from popular franchises such as "Frozen," "The Lion King," "Moana," "The Little Mermaid," and "Deadpool" [2] - This legal action coincides with Disney's signing of a $1 billion, three-year deal with OpenAI to integrate its characters into the Sora AI video generator [3]