Warner Bros. Discovery Sues Midjourney Over AI-Generated Images of Iconic Characters
The ongoing battle over intellectual property and artificial intelligence has reached a new flashpoint as Warner Bros. Discovery has officially filed a lawsuit against AI image-generation startup Midjourney. The studio accuses the company of knowingly enabling users to create unauthorized images of some of its most valuable and recognizable characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Scooby-Doo, and Bugs Bunny.
According to a report from TechCrunch, the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles on September 5, 2025. Warner Bros. alleges that Midjourney engaged in large-scale copyright infringement by removing prior safeguards designed to prevent users from generating images based on copyrighted material. Court documents show side-by-side comparisons of AI-generated images and Warner Bros.’ official art, with striking similarities used to underscore the claim that Midjourney profited from the studio’s intellectual property.
Warner Bros. is seeking damages of up to $150,000 per infringement, along with an injunction preventing Midjourney from continuing to allow the reproduction of its characters. The complaint positions these characters not just as fictional works, but as core business assets that drive billions in revenue across film, television, comics, merchandise, and streaming.
This isn’t the first time Midjourney has come under fire from Hollywood. The startup is already facing similar accusations from Universal and Disney, both of which claim that the platform allowed unauthorized reproductions of their characters. The Warner Bros. case, however, could prove especially consequential, given the cultural weight and global recognition of its properties such as DC superheroes and Hanna-Barbera cartoons.
Midjourney has defended itself by appealing to the doctrine of transformative fair use, arguing that its technology does not copy existing works but instead “learns” from billions of images in a process it likens to how human artists study and reinterpret visual styles. The company also insists that its terms of service forbid users from generating copyrighted material and that ultimate responsibility lies with users who bypass these restrictions.
The lawsuit highlights a key tension in today’s digital landscape: the collision of rapid AI innovation with longstanding copyright law. Should Warner Bros. succeed, the outcome could set a powerful precedent, forcing AI companies to adopt stricter safeguards or face steep financial penalties. If Midjourney prevails, it could embolden AI platforms to lean further into creative reinterpretations of protected works under the banner of fair use. Either way, the decision will likely ripple across the entertainment and technology sectors, shaping how ownership, originality, and accountability are defined in the age of generative AI.
Do you think AI-generated art should be considered transformative fair use, or should companies like Midjourney be held liable for unauthorized reproductions of iconic characters?
