Tesla and Elon Musk Sued Over Alleged AI-Powered Copyright Infringement
A lawsuit has been filed against Tesla, Elon Musk, and Warner Brothers Discovery, alleging that they used artificial intelligence to infringe on the copyright of images from the film “Blade Runner 2049” to promote Tesla’s robotaxi concept.
The Allegations
According to the lawsuit, filed by Alcon Entertainment, the producer of “Blade Runner 2049”, Tesla and Musk requested permission to use an iconic still image from the film for an event promoting the Cybercab, a dedicated robotaxi concept, but were denied. Despite this, the defendants allegedly used an AI-generated fake image to promote the Cybercab, which was shown on a live stream for 11 seconds as Musk spoke.
The Claims
The lawsuit claims that the defendants’ actions constituted copyright infringement and false endorsement, and that the financial impact of the misappropriation was substantial. The suit also alleges that Alcon did not want its “Blade Runner” sequel film to be affiliated with Musk, Tesla, or any Musk company, due to Musk’s “massively amplified, highly politicized, capricious and arbitrary behavior”.
Musk’s Controversial Behavior
Musk has been known for his incendiary comments on social media, including spreading baseless rumors and boosting false conspiracies. The lawsuit notes that any prudent brand considering a partnership with Tesla would have to take Musk’s behavior into account, and that a potential brand affiliation with Tesla is “issue-fraught” due to Musk’s extreme political and social views.
The Cybercab Concept
Tesla has been promoting the Cybercab as a dedicated robotaxi concept, with plans to produce it by 2027 and sell it for under $30,000. However, the company has yet to produce a vehicle that is safe to use without a human ready to steer or brake at any time.
The Lawsuit’s Implications
The lawsuit highlights the risks of using AI-generated content without proper permission, and the potential consequences of associating with a brand or individual with a reputation for controversy. As the use of AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, it is likely that we will see more cases like this in the future.
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