Disney has escalated its ongoing legal battle against perceived copyright infringements by Google, specifically related to the use of generative AI models. In a cease-and-desist letter sent on Wednesday, Disney’s legal team accused Google of engaging in “massive scale” copyright violations by utilizing a broad range of the entertainment giant’s copyrighted materials to train its AI systems. The letter was drafted by the law firm Jenner & Block and addressed to Google’s general counsel.
Disney’s letter outlines the allegation that Google is unlawfully reproducing and distributing images and videos of iconic characters from beloved Disney franchises such as “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Toy Story,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” among others. This infringement extends to various properties within Disney’s expansive library, including the Star Wars saga and Marvel’s superheroes. The company claims these infringements are particularly harmful, as Google is effectively leveraging its dominant market position to exploit Disney’s intellectual property for profit.
As part of the letter, Disney argues that Google operates in a manner akin to a “virtual vending machine,” enabling the reproduction and distribution of its copyrighted works without authorization. Furthermore, Disney accuses Google of falsely implying endorsement of this infringement through branding, as many AI-generated images bear Google’s Gemini logo.
Disney had previously raised concerns about these practices with Google, according to CEO Bob Iger, who noted that discussions had yielded little progress. He emphasized Disney’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property, hinting at a proactive stance against any company that fails to respect its ownership rights.
In addition to Google’s cease-and-desist letter, Disney has also pursued similar actions against other tech firms, including Meta and Character.AI, as well as legal action against AI companies such as Midjourney and Minimax over copyright allegations.
In response, Google reaffirmed its intention to work collaboratively with Disney, highlighting that it utilizes public data from the open web for its AI developments. The company also pointed to existing copyright protections like Content ID for YouTube, which provide content holders control over their intellectual property.
Looking forward, Disney has mandated that Google must take immediate steps to halt further copying, display, or distribution of Disney’s characters through its AI services. In addition, it has called for the implementation of technological measures to avoid future infringements. The situation underscores the increasing tensions surrounding the intersection of copyright law and artificial intelligence development, reflecting broader industry trends as companies navigate the complexities of intellectual property in the digital age.