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Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. Sue China’s MiniMax Over Alleged AI Piracy

The studios filed in Los Angeles seeking an injunction with potential statutory damages of up to $150,000 per work.

Overview

  • Disney, NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery accuse MiniMax’s Hailuo AI of generating downloadable images and videos of protected characters, with exhibits showing outputs such as Darth Vader bearing MiniMax/Hailuo watermarks.
  • The complaint says MiniMax used studio IP in marketing and promoted Hailuo as a “Hollywood studio in your pocket.”
  • The plaintiffs seek disgorgement of profits, a court order barring further use of their works, and the option to pursue maximum statutory damages per infringed work.
  • According to the filing, cease‑and‑desist requests were ignored and MiniMax failed to implement reasonable protections that other AI services employ.
  • The suit extends the studios’ 2025 campaign beyond U.S. companies like Midjourney to a Shanghai‑based firm reportedly targeting a Hong Kong IPO near $4 billion, and MiniMax has not yet publicly commented.