Midjourney Fires Back in Copyright Battle
Generative AI company Midjourney, currently facing a lawsuit from major Hollywood studios, has filed a motion demanding that Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. disclose their own use of similar AI technologies. The motion, filed earlier this week, argues that if the studios are using generative AI to train on copyrighted material themselves, they cannot fairly accuse Midjourney of infringement.
Legal Maneuvering Intensifies
The motion follows a June ruling that limited Midjourney's ability to discover the studios' generative AI activities. Now, the company is seeking detailed information from each studio, including training datasets, business plans, and board meeting presentations related to generative AI. Midjourney attorney Bobby Ghajar stated, "If Plaintiffs are doing the very thing they seek to punish, that evidence goes to the heart of Midjourney’s fair use and unclean hands defenses."
Studios' Previous Disclosures
Before this motion, Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. agreed to hand over consumer-facing information about their AI use, but none of that included internal AI tools. Ghajar argued that if such internal tools exist, it demonstrates an industry custom of training AI on unlicensed copyrighted content. David Singer, representing the three studios, countered that the studios simply want Midjourney to stop copying their movies and TV shows and creating derivative works without authorization.
Disney's Transparent AI Ambitions
Among the three, Disney has been the most transparent about its interest in AI. In late 2025, it announced a $1 billion investment in OpenAI to bring hundreds of Disney characters to the Sora platform. However, those plans fell apart earlier this year after SoraAI shut down. Disney stated it would still engage with AI platforms and "embrace new technologies that respect IP and the rights of creators."
Implications for the Lawsuit
The outcome of this motion could significantly impact the lawsuit. If Midjourney obtains evidence that the studios themselves use generative AI on copyrighted content, it could bolster its fair use defense and potentially lead to a settlement or dismissal. Conversely, if the studios successfully resist disclosure, the case may proceed with limited discovery.
Industry-Wide Repercussions
This legal battle highlights the growing tension between traditional media companies and generative AI developers. As AI becomes more prevalent in content creation, questions about copyright, fair use, and transparency are becoming increasingly urgent. The case could set a precedent for how courts handle similar disputes in the future.
What's Next?
The court will rule on Midjourney's motion in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the studios continue to pursue their lawsuit, seeking to stop Midjourney from using their copyrighted material. The tech industry and Hollywood alike are watching closely, as the outcome could shape the future of AI in entertainment.
This article is based on reporting by Gizmodo. Read the original article.
Originally published on gizmodo.com
