On September 16, 2025, Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros Discovery launched a copyright lawsuit against Chinese AI company MiniMax.
Filed in a California court, the suit claims MiniMax’s Hailuo AI uses stolen intellectual property from these major studios to create images and videos.
Using Famous Characters
The studios say MiniMax promotes Hailuo AI as a “Hollywood studio in your pocket.”
It allegedly uses characters like Darth Vader from Star Wars, Minions from Despicable Me, and Wonder Woman without permission.
Users can generate and download content featuring these characters with MiniMax’s branding.
Ignoring Copyright Rules
MiniMax reportedly ignored studio requests to add safeguards against copyright violations, unlike other AI platforms. The lawsuit accuses the company of breaking U.S. copyright laws by treating these iconic characters as its own.
Studios Call for Fair AI Use
In a joint statement, the studios stressed ethical AI practices:
“Responsible AI innovation matters. This lawsuit shows our resolve to hold copyright violators accountable, no matter where they operate.”
They want to stop MiniMax’s alleged infringements and ensure Hailuo AI respects copyright protections.
Part of Larger AI Legal Battles
This case follows similar lawsuits. In June 2025, Disney and Universal sued AI firm Midjourney for using copyrighted works. Warner Bros Discovery also sued Midjourney this month.
These actions join other lawsuits by authors, news outlets, and music labels against companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic for improper use of content in AI training.
MiniMax’s Global Influence
MiniMax operates on a subscription model, serving over 157 million users in 200+ countries and 50,000 businesses in 90+ countries.
It aims for a valuation over $4 billion and plans a public listing, making it a key player in China’s AI sector.
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