Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google on Wednesday, alleging massive copyright infringement through its AI models and services. The company claims Google commercially distributes unauthorized images and videos of Disney characters without permission.
The letter, viewed by Variety, accuses Google of operating as a virtual vending machine that reproduces, renders, and distributes copies of Disney’s copyrighted library on a mass scale. Disney emphasizes the scale of the infringement, stating that Google’s AI systems generate these materials for commercial purposes. This activity directly violates Disney’s intellectual property rights by exploiting protected characters and works.
Compounding the issue, the letter points out that many infringing images produced by Google’s AI services carry the Gemini logo. This branding creates a false impression that Disney authorizes and endorses Google’s use of its intellectual property. Such implications mislead users and damage Disney’s control over its brand.
Specific examples in the letter include characters from films such as Frozen, The Lion King, Moana, The Little Mermaid, and Deadpool, among others. These instances demonstrate the breadth of Google’s alleged unauthorized use across Disney’s extensive portfolio of animated and live-action properties.
Google has not confirmed or denied the allegations. A spokesperson stated that the company maintains a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship with Disney and intends to continue engaging with them. Regarding AI development practices, the spokesperson explained that Google relies on public data from the open web. To address copyright concerns, Google has implemented controls including Google-extended and Content ID for YouTube, which allow sites and copyright holders to manage their content.
On the same day as the cease-and-desist letter, Disney finalized a $1 billion, three-year agreement with OpenAI. This deal integrates Disney’s iconic characters into OpenAI’s Sora AI video generator, enabling authorized generation of content featuring these properties.
