AI startup Midjourney has filed a new legal motion to compel three major Hollywood studios to reveal details of their own internal use of artificial intelligence. The request comes amid an ongoing copyright infringement lawsuit brought by Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros., who allege that Midjourney's image-generation models were trained on their copyrighted characters such as Bart Simpson and Darth Vader.
The core of the legal battle over generative AI
Disney and Universal sued Midjourney last year, claiming the startup's models could create unauthorized images of their iconic characters. Warner Bros. filed a separate suit shortly after. Midjourney argues that training its AI on copyrighted images is protected under the fair use doctrine. The current dispute centers on the scope of discovery the studios must provide. A judge previously ruled that the studios only have to disclose information about their generative AI usage that led to consumer-facing videos and images. Midjourney now seeks to overturn that limit, calling it unfair because it lets the studios cherry-pick documents that support their claims while withholding evidence that could help Midjourney's defense. The startup alleges that the studios may be using the very same techniques behind closed doors, such as developing internal AI models for storyboarding or content ideation.
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The hypocrisy accusation and the demand for full transparency
In its filing, Midjourney states that the withheld documents would reveal whether the studios are doing exactly what they are suing Midjourney for. If the studios are training AI on unlicensed copyrighted content for internal use, that would show it is an industry custom. The startup also demands that the studios disclose all prompts they used on Midjourney and the resulting outputs, not just those that produced allegedly infringing images. Lead attorney for the studios, David Singer, dismissed the request as a fishing expedition and reiterated that the studios do not aim to stop AI technology but simply want to prevent unauthorized copying of their characters. Similar debates on AI profit sharing are emerging in other industries.
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Potential impact on the entertainment industry and AI regulation
This case could set a significant precedent for generative AI in the creative sector. If Midjourney gains access to the studios' internal documents, it may reveal how much the major studios themselves rely on similar AI techniques, potentially influencing future regulations. According to TechCrunch, the judge's ruling expected in the coming weeks could redefine the boundaries of fair use and transparency in AI.
