Artists Sue AI Image Generators Over Alleged Copyright Infringement
Two new lawsuits claim that popular AI image tools like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion illegally train on copyrighted artwork without compensating the original creators.
Two new lawsuits challenge the legality of popular AI image generators like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion. These tools create stunning images in seconds by drawing from massive online libraries of existing artwork, raising serious questions about whether this process violates copyright laws.
Stock image giant Getty Images initiates legal proceedings against Stability AI, accusing the company of copying millions of its photos to build its AI model. Separately, a group of visual artists files a class action lawsuit in a federal court against Stability AI, Midjourney, and DeviantArt, arguing that these companies unjustly scrape the web for art without offering credit or compensation.
The artists claim the damage is already visible, as AI-generated images sold online directly siphon commissions away from human creators. Both legal actions seek to stop what the plaintiffs describe as a massive infringement of intellectual property rights that threatens to eliminate their professions entirely.