16 Sep Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCU Sue Chinese AI Company MiniMax, Alleging It ‘Pirates and Plunders’ Studios’ Copyrighted Works on ‘Massive Scale’ [Variety]
BY TODD SPANGLER
September 16, 2025 | Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal are taking legal aim at another AI company that they allege is massively ripping off their intellectual property.
On Tuesday, the three media companies filed a lawsuit against MiniMax, a Chinese AI company that is reportedly valued at $4 billion, alleging “willful and brazen” copyright infringement. According to the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, MiniMax disregards U.S. copyright law by treating the studios’ copyrighted characters as if those were its own.
“MiniMax operates Hailuo AI, a Chinese artificial intelligence image and video generating service that pirates and plunders Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works on a massive scale,” the companies said in the lawsuit, filed Tuesday. “MiniMax markets Hailuo AI as a ‘Hollywood studio in your pocket’ — an audacious self-anointed nickname given that MiniMax built its business from intellectual property stolen from Hollywood studios like Plaintiffs.”
The lawsuit continued, “The Hailuo service offers its subscribers an endless supply of infringing images and videos featuring Plaintiffs’ famous copyrighted characters. MiniMax completely disregards U.S. copyright law and treats Plaintiffs’ valuable copyrighted characters like its own.”
Disney, NBCU and WBD have also sued AI startup Midjourney, also alleging copyright infringement.
Disney, NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery said in a joint statement, “We support innovation that enhances human creativity while protecting the contributions of countless creators and the entire creative industry. A responsible approach to AI innovation is critical, and today’s lawsuit against MiniMax again demonstrates our shared commitment to holding accountable those who violate copyright laws, wherever they may be based.”