Midjourney has asked a U.S. federal court to require Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. to explain how they use artificial intelligence, turning the legal debate back toward the entertainment companies that first sued the image generator.
The studios allege that Midjourney enables the reproduction of copyrighted characters and visual styles. Midjourney, meanwhile, says it is protected by fair use and argues that the studios may be applying similar AI tools behind the scenes.
According to the filing, Midjourney is seeking information on internal AI plans, training data and model-related materials, saying such details could support its defense. The company also claims that if the studios are using AI for storyboarding or content ideation, that would show the practice is becoming part of the industry's creative workflow.
A magistrate judge had previously rejected Midjourney's broader request for information, but the company is now asking Judge John Kronstadt to revisit that decision. The studios' attorney has described the motion as a distraction, while the case continues to focus on characters such as Superman, Scooby-Doo and Bugs Bunny.
Midjourney has faced copyright scrutiny before, including earlier claims from artists over training data and style reproduction. The dispute now highlights how generative AI is reshaping questions of authorship, licensing and creative production across entertainment. The outcome could help define how AI and studio creativity evolve together in the years ahead.
