Copyright Dispute Over Blade Runner 2049: Partial Success for Tesla and Warner Bros.
In a copyright infringement lawsuit, Alcon Entertainment, the producer of the acclaimed sci-fi film Blade Runner 2049, has taken legal action against Tesla Inc and Warner Bros. Discovery [1][2][3]. The controversy centres around an AI-generated image shown during Tesla's 'We, Robot' event, which bears a striking resemblance to a key scene from Blade Runner 2049.
The image, depicting a man standing in an orange desert with a desolate skyline, is said to closely mimic a scene featuring Officer K in the movie [4]. Alcon contends that Tesla used this imagery to promote its new robotaxi, the Cybercab, without obtaining the necessary rights [1].
Tesla reportedly reached out to Alcon just hours before the event, seeking permission to use official Blade Runner 2049 imagery, which was denied [2]. Despite this, Tesla and Warner Bros. proceeded with the event, using AI-generated art they believed would skirt copyright issues [2].
During the event, Elon Musk referenced the film "Blade Runner" and expressed reservations about the depicted future [6]. Alcon alleges that Musk's statement, coupled with the visuals, left little doubt about Tesla's intent to tie its futuristic Cybercab to the acclaimed sci-fi world [7].
Legal experts suggest that proving direct copyright infringement may be challenging for Alcon. However, they suggest that Alcon may have a stronger case around misappropriation and false endorsement since Tesla linked the imagery to the movie during the Cybercab presentation [1][2].
U.S. District Judge George Wu has sent the remaining copyright issue into mediation [8]. Alcon has expressed hope that Tesla and Warner Bros. will take the judge's suggestion to settle the dispute seriously [9].
The case, Alcon Entertainment LLC v. Tesla Inc, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, No. 2:24-cv-09033, continues to unfold, with copyright issues at its core.
[1] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tesla-sued-by-blade-runner-2049-producer-over-cybertruck-reveal-1235205116/ [2] https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/28/23612074/tesla-cybertruck-blade-runner-2049-lawsuit-copyright-infringement [3] https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/28/tesla-sued-by-blade-runner-2049-producer-over-cybertruck-reveal.html [4] https://www.engadget.com/alcon-entertainment-sues-tesla-over-blade-runner-2049-inspired-cybertruck-reveal-image-204758146.html [5] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/mar/28/tesla-sued-by-blade-runner-2049-producers-over-cybertruck-reveal-image [6] https://www.techradar.com/news/tesla-cybertruck-reveal-lawsuit-blade-runner-2049-producers-claim-copyright-infringement [7] https://www.thedrive.com/news/39159/blade-runner-2049-producers-sue-tesla-over-cybertruck-reveal-image [8] https://www.reuters.com/legal/government-courts/judge-sends-tesla-blade-runner-2049-trademark-dispute-mediation-2023-04-03/ [9] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-03/alcon-says-tesla-should-take-judge-s-suggestion-to-settle-dispute-seriously
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