Policy

Disney and Universal Sue A.I. Firm Midjourney for Copyright Infringement

Disney and Universal sued a prominent artificial intelligence start-up for copyright infringement on Wednesday, bringing Hollywood belatedly into the increasingly intense legal battle over generative A.I. The movie companies sued Midjourney, an A.I. image generator that has millions of registered users. The 110-page lawsuit contends that Midjourney “helped itself to countless” copyrighted works to train its software.

Source: Disney and Universal Sue A.I. Firm Midjourney for Copyright Infringement

Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Speaks Out on CBS

Hayden recalled the “confusing” email announcing her dismissal, which at first she thought might be one of the “fake emails” sometimes received in the workplace, noting that it was addressed to “Carla” and saying she was terminated “effective immediately.” (Typically, when the president of the United States wants to remove an appointee from a position, the president reaches out personally and offers to accept the appointee’s resignation.)

Source: Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Speaks Out on CBS

HarbourView secures $500m in additional debt financing from KKR

HarbourView Equity Partners has secured $500 million in additional debt financing from investment giant KKR, secured via a private securitization backed by its music portfolio. This latest transaction follows a previous $500 million in debt financing secured by HarbourView in March 2024, through a private securitization backed by its catalog of music royalties, and led by KKR.

Source: HarbourView secures $500m in additional debt financing from KKR

AM Radio Mandate is Moving in Congress

A broad array of leading automakers and technology companies have sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, asking them to advance the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA). The legislation will require big radio companies that made $13.6 billion in advertising revenue last year to pay the artists whose music they currently play for free.

Source: AM Radio Mandate is Moving in Congress

Perlmutter Seeks Summary Judgement in Copyright Office Battle

Fired Copyright Office head Shira Perlmutter is seeking summary judgement in her lawsuit against the Trump administration.  Upon denying Perlmutter’s restraining order ask, the presiding judge also instructed the parties to “submit a joint proposed briefing schedule” concerning a potential preliminary injunction push on the plaintiff’s end, we reported yesterday. Instead, Perlmutter’s legal team has opted to entreat the court to green-light an “expedited briefing schedule” on the summary judgement front.

Source: Perlmutter Seeks Summary Judgement in Copyright Office Battle

Government AI copyright plan suffers fourth House of Lords defeat

The House of Lords has dealt a fourth defeat to the government over its plans to allow tech companies to use copyrighted material to train their models. The Lords, who are looking for more protections for artists from AI, rejected the latest amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill on Monday. Peers backed calls for greater transparency after musicians such as Sir Elton John warned of the threat to creative industries.

Source: Government AI copyright plan suffers fourth House of Lords defeat

Getty Images Is Pouring Millions of Dollars Into One AI Lawsuit, CEO Says

Getty, one of the world’s largest stock photo companies, alleged that Stability AI illegally scraped more than 12 million copyright-protected photos, videos, and illustrations from its website to train its AI image generator. Now, Getty CEO Craig Peters says that though he believes Getty has a “very strong” case against Stability AI, fighting the AI company in court has been costly.

Source: ‘Extraordinarily Expensive’: Getty Images Is Pouring Millions of Dollars Into One AI Lawsuit, CEO Says

U.S. Govt. Backs Cox in Landmark Supreme Court Battle Over ISP Piracy Liability

The U.S. Solicitor General has urged the Supreme Court to accept Cox Communications’ petition in a landmark piracy liability lawsuit. The USSG argues that ISPs are not necessarily liable for pirating subscribers and warns that the current precedent may lead to disconnections for many innocent subscribers. At the same time, the USSG urged the court to deny a petition from the opposing music companies, which seeks to expand the current liability verdict.

Source: U.S. Govt. Backs Cox in Landmark Supreme Court Battle Over ISP Piracy Liability * TorrentFreak

Perlmutter’s Lawsuit Is About More Than Just Getting Her Job Back

Perlmutter claims the White House is orchestrating an unprecedented and unconstitutional takeover of a legislative branch agency by installing senior DOJ officials atop both the Library of Congress and the Copyright Office. If allowed, she warns, the move would undermine the Office’s structural independence, compromise the confidentiality of congressional research and copyright deposits, and put congressionally mandated projects in peril—including its fourth and final report on copyright and artificial intelligence.

Source: Perlmutter’s Lawsuit Is About More Than Just Getting Her Job Back

Fired US copyright office director sues Trump administration for unconstitutional removal

Former director of the US Copyright Office Shira Perlmutter filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday for improper termination after she was fired earlier this month. Perlmutter filed her complaint with the US District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging that her termination was unconstitutional and cannot take effect. She further asserted that only the US Congress can remove her from her position.

Source: Fired US copyright office director sues Trump administration for unconstitutional removal

Get the latest RightsTech news and analysis delivered directly in your inbox every week
We respect your privacy.