Group 1 - Warner Bros. is suing AI startup Midjourney for copyright infringement, claiming that Midjourney allows users to generate images and videos of characters like Superman, Batman, and Bugs Bunny without permission [1] - The lawsuit alleges that Midjourney has made a profit-driven decision to offer no protection for copyright owners, despite being aware of the extent of its piracy and copyright infringement [2] - Warner Bros.' lawsuit follows a similar lawsuit filed by Walt Disney and Universal against Midjourney for copyright infringement involving characters such as Darth Vader and Bart Simpson [3] Group 2 - The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, the return of profits earned from the alleged infringement, and a cessation of further violations [2] - Midjourney has argued that using copyrighted works to train generative AI models is legal under the fair use doctrine of U.S. copyright law [3] - Midjourney did not respond to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit [3]

Core Viewpoint - The Walt Disney Co. and NBCUniversal have filed a lawsuit against AI company Midjourney, claiming that its image-generating service infringes on their copyrights by producing unauthorized copies of their characters [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, marks the first significant legal action taken by studios against an AI company [1]. - Disney and NBCUniversal are seeking unspecified maximum statutory damages, an accounting of Midjourney's proceeds from the alleged infringement, and injunctive relief [2]. Group 2: Examples of Infringement - The lawsuit provides examples where Midjourney generates high-quality images of Disney's Darth Vader and NBCU's Minions character based on simple text prompts from subscribers [3]. Group 3: AI Training and Copyright Issues - The lawsuit discusses the contentious issue of using copyrighted material to train AI models, highlighting that Midjourney is likely infringing on copyrights as it prepares to launch a new video service [4]. - The Motion Picture Association has stated that existing copyright laws are adequate to address issues related to AI and piracy, emphasizing the need for courts to determine the fairness of using copyrighted content in training models [4]. Group 4: Statements from Company Executives - Disney's senior executive emphasized the importance of copyright law in protecting investments in intellectual property, stating that piracy remains piracy regardless of the technology used [4]. - NBCUniversal's general counsel reiterated the significance of creativity in their business and the necessity to protect the work of artists from infringement [4].