Warner Sues Midjourney for Copyright Infringement

Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a major copyright lawsuit against Midjourney, accusing the AI image generator of mass infringement by allowing users to produce images of iconic characters, including Batman, Superman, Bugs Bunny, and Rick and Morty. The complaint, lodged in a California federal court, alleges that Midjourney trained its system on thousands of Warner Bros.’ films and TV shows without permission, thereby diverting revenue from licensed products. Warner Bros. seeks either Midjourney’s profits from infringement or statutory damages of $150,000 per work. Disney and Universal previously sued Midjourney, supporting the claim that the AI firm exploits copyrighted works. The case hinges on whether Midjourney’s training and outputs qualify as fair use, a doctrine central to litigation involving generative AI.

The Hollywood Reporter, Winston Cho – Warner Bros. Discovery Sues AI Giant Midjourney for Copyright Infringement In Major Legal Battle – 4th September 2025