Disney and Universal are suing AI photo generation company Midjourney, marking the first major legal showdown between Hollywood studios and an artificial intelligence company.

Disney and NBCU filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Midjourney, a generative AI start-up, alleging copyright infringement. The companies alleged that Midjourney’s own website “displays hundreds, if not thousands, of images generated by its Image Service at the request of its subscribers that infringe Plaintiffs’ Copyrighted Works.”

Disney and Universal sue AI image company Midjourney for unlicensed use of 'Star Wars,' 'The Simpsons' and more Disney and Universal joined forces in a lawsuit against artificial intelligence image creator Midjourney, alleging copyright infringement. It is the first AI copyright lawsuit from Hollywood giants.