Disney and Universal sue AI firm Midjourney

Guess what? Disney and Universal just dropped a bombshell legal move, suing Midjourney for $150,000 per AI-generated infringement! They’re calling it a “bottomless pit of plagiarism” as their iconic characters — think Elsa, Spider-Man, Darth Vader, Minions, and more — keep popping up in image prompts, no permissions in sight. 

Filed on June 11, 2025, in L.A. federal court, this 110-page lawsuit is Hollywood’s first major confrontation with generative AI. The studios argue Midjourney has become a virtual vending machine for their copyrighted creations—serving them up on demand without paying a dime. 

Midjourney pulled in around 300 million USD in revenue last year with ~20–21 million users, so the stakes are astronomically high . Disney and Universal insist fair use doesn’t cover it—piracy is piracy, they say. 

What’s on the table? 💰 Statutory damages of up to $150k per infringed image, a permanent injunction to block future misuse, and full discovery into Midjourney’s training data. Disney is even pressing for blocking Midjourney’s upcoming video-generation tool. 

This showdown is more than just a lawsuit—it could reshape how AI is trained and licensed. If Disney & Universal win, expect mandatory licensing deals, built-in filters, or broader copyright guardrails for generative AI.

🔑 Key Points

• Big League Suits: Disney & Universal filed in L.A. on June 11, 2025—first major Hollywood challenge to generative AI.
  
• Heavy Hits: $150,000 per infringing image; damages could exceed $20 million.
  
• Iconic IP at Stake: Lawsuit cites Elsa, Darth Vader, Minions, Spider-Man, and more.
  
• Massive Exposure: Midjourney earned ~$300 million revenue and has ~21 million users.
  
• Fair Use Fight: Studios reject it—“piracy is piracy,” regardless of AI.
  
• Broader Impact: Could force AI firms into licensing, content filters, or stricter data sourcing rules.