New Delhi: Three of Hollywood’s biggest studios have taken a Chinese AI startup to court, accusing it of building its technology on stolen intellectual property. Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, and Universal Pictures jointly filed a lawsuit in a California federal court on Tuesday against MiniMax, the company behind Hailuo AI, an image and video generator.
The studios argue that Hailuo AI has been trained on their copyrighted films and characters without permission, and that the tool lets users create downloadable images and videos of famous icons like Darth Vader, Minions, and Wonder Woman. The case signals a new phase in the global fight between traditional entertainment companies and AI platforms over who owns creative works in the digital era.
The lawsuit and its claims
The complaint states that MiniMax “audaciously” used copyrighted characters to market Hailuo AI as a “Hollywood studio in your pocket.” According to court filings, the service can generate watermarked images and clips of characters from blockbuster franchises including Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Despicable Me.
The studios claim MiniMax ignored requests to adopt safeguards that other AI platforms have put in place to reduce infringement. Instead, they say the company encouraged misuse by openly advertising its ability to recreate Hollywood characters.
The lawsuit seeks damages, including the disgorgement of profits, and a court order to block MiniMax from continuing to use copyrighted material in its products.
Why the studios are alarmed
The plaintiffs describe the case as more than a dispute over images. They warn that as AI tools advance, it is “only a matter of time until Hailuo AI can generate unauthorized, infringing videos substantially longer, and even eventually the same duration as a movie or television program.”
Charles Rivkin, CEO of the Motion Picture Association, said AI firms will be “held accountable for infringing on the rights of American creators wherever they are located.” He warned that unchecked infringement threatens “the entire American motion picture industry.”
In a joint statement, Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, and Universal added, “A responsible approach to AI innovation is critical, and today’s lawsuit against MiniMax again demonstrates our shared commitment to holding accountable those who violate copyright laws, wherever they may be based.”
Growing list of AI copyright fights
This is not the first time Hollywood has gone after an AI startup. Earlier this month, Warner Bros Discovery teamed up with Disney and Universal to sue Midjourney, another AI company accused of training its system on copyrighted movies and shows.
The wider entertainment industry has been pushing back against AI developers who scrape data from the internet to train their systems. Authors, musicians, artists, and news publishers have also filed lawsuits, arguing that AI-generated content could reduce demand for their work.
What comes next
MiniMax has not issued a public response yet, but the lawsuit adds to the pressure on AI companies to clarify how their models are trained and whether they have licensing deals for copyrighted material. The studios are seeking not just damages but also a permanent ban on Hailuo AI offering its service without proper protections.