Warner Bros. Fights Back Against AI

Warner Bros. Discovery has sued AI image generator Midjourney, claiming the startup is using its famous characters—from Superman to Scooby-Doo—without permission. The case highlights a new fault line between tech innovators and content owners.

According to the complaint filed in Los Angeles, Midjourney trained and allowed its users to create images of DC Comics and Cartoon Network icons. Warner Bros. says the company once blocked these characters but later lifted restrictions, opening the door for widespread reproductions. The studio argues this crosses the line from innovation into copyright infringement.

If courts side with Warner Bros., it could shape how all industries—from fashion to advertising—deal with AI tools trained on proprietary work. Intellectual property owners seem ready to test how far the law will go to protect their brands in the AI age, pushing legal institutions to improve rigor.

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Text: Stempel, Jonathan. ‘Warner Bros Discovery Sues AI Photo Generator Midjourney for Stealing Superman, Scooby-Doo’. Reuters, 4 Sep. 2025. Litigation. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/warner-bros-discovery-sues-ai-photo-generator-midjourney-stealing-superman-2025-09-04/.

Photo: 'A Boy Wearing a Superman Costume' Photo by Vicki Yde: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-boy-wearing-a-superman-costume-5961611/