Midjourney asks judge to make studios disclose their AI use

In short: Midjourney is asking a judge to require three Hollywood studios to share more information about how they use AI, as part of an ongoing copyright lawsuit.

What happened

Midjourney, a company that makes an AI image generator (a tool that creates pictures from text prompts), is in a legal dispute with Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. The studios have sued Midjourney, saying it can produce images of copyrighted characters they own, like Bart Simpson, Darth Vader, Superman, and Batman.

Midjourney says training its AI on copyrighted images can be allowed under “fair use” (a legal rule that sometimes allows limited use of copyrighted work without permission). The latest fight is about “discovery,” which is the part of a lawsuit where both sides must share relevant documents and evidence.

A judge previously said the studios had to provide information about their use of “generative AI” (AI that creates new images or video), but only when it produced “consumer-facing” images and videos. That means work meant for the public.

In a new court filing, Midjourney is asking to remove that limit. Midjourney argues the studios should not be able to pick only documents that support their case. It says the studios may be keeping documents that show they use AI in similar ways behind closed doors, for example for internal storyboards or early idea sketches (like rough drafts before filming).

Midjourney also wants the studios to disclose all prompts they used in Midjourney and the results, not only prompts that produced allegedly infringing images. The studios’ lead attorney has described this request as a “fishing expedition,” meaning a broad search for anything useful.

Why it matters

This dispute could affect what evidence courts can require from big entertainment companies when they sue AI tool makers. It may also shape how transparent companies must be about their own AI practices while accusing others of copying.

Source: TechCrunch AI