Hollywood vs. Chinese AI: Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros Sue MiniMax

When AI startups use blockbuster characters without permission, the legal spotlight follows.

Disney, Comcast’s Universal, and Warner Bros Discovery have filed a joint lawsuit against Chinese AI company MiniMax, the creator of the image- and video-generating platform Hailuo AI. Hailuo, who presents itself as a “Hollywood studio in your pocket,” allows subscribers to generate branded images and videos of iconic characters like Darth Vader, the Minions, and Wonder Woman. For the Hollywood giants claim, the platform fully crossed the waters of playful AI experimentation into unlawful commercial use of their copyrighted work.

MiniMax has allegedly ignored repeated requests to put safeguards in place by means of protections already common across other AI platforms. Instead, the company leans into infringement, using beloved film characters to attract paying users and boost its global growth. This case doesn’t stand alone; similar lawsuits against Midjourney, OpenAI, and Anthropic show a larger trend. As entertainment meets tech, Hollywood is drawing a legal line in the sand: AI innovation cannot come at the expense of intellectual property.

MiniMax is reportedly chasing a $4 billion valuation while serving millions of users worldwide. However, rapid growth in the AI sector is attracting scrutiny, and those who sidestep copyright protections risk not just reputational damage but also costly legal action. The message for any business experimenting with AI tools is clear: compliance isn’t optional.

Curious how copyright law might affect your company’s AI strategy? Our team can help you stay innovative—without crossing legal lines. Get in touch today!

Text: ‘Disney, Universal, Warner Bros Discovery Sue China’s MiniMax for Copyright Infringement’. Reuters, 16 Sep. 2025. Litigation. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/disney-universal-warner-bros-discovery-sue-chinas-minimax-copyright-infringement-2025-09-16/.

Photo: 'Universal Studios in Hollywood' by masbet christianto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/universal-studios-in-hollywood-5246036/