Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. have filed a lawsuit against Shanghai-based MiniMax, a Chinese AI startup, in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

The studios allege that MiniMax’s video and image editing tool, Hailuo AI (海螺 AI), allows users to generate images and videos featuring copyrighted characters such as Spider-Man, Superman, Darth Vader, Shrek, Buzz Lightyear, and Bugs Bunny.

The lawsuit claims the tool promotes itself as “Hollywood in your pocket,” and lets subscribers create downloadable content using these characters, which appear with MiniMax and Hailuo AI branding.

MiniMax founded by ex SenseTime VP in 2021, develops generative AI products including Hailuo AI and the chatbot Talkie. The company is valued at around US$3 billion and may seek an IPO this year.

🔗 Source: Sina