Disney sends cease-and-desist to Google over AI copyright infringement
Disney reportedly accused Google of using its AI models to generate content infringing on Disney's copyrighted characters and intellectual property on a massive scale. Disney's cease-and-desist letter claims Google refused to implement technological safeguards despite months of prior notice and alleged that competitors have adopted such measures.
What happened
Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google on Wednesday, alleging that Google's AI models infringe on Disney's copyright protections on a 'massive scale.' The letter claims Google's AI Services are 'designed to free ride off Disney's intellectual property' and that Google has 'refused to implement any technological measures to mitigate or prevent copyright infringement, even though such measures are readily available and being used by Google's competitors.'
The letter states that Google's AI models have generated content resembling characters from Frozen, Deadpool, Star Wars and others. Disney says it brought its concerns to Google's attention months ago but Google took no action in response.
Reported impact
Disney alleges that Google, as the parent company of YouTube, is 'flooding the market with infringing works, and reaping enormous profits and other value from its unlawful, harmful and damaging exploitation of Disney's copyrighted works.'
Index analysis
Google's Gemini 3 AI model and related AI products have been released with capabilities to generate images and videos. Disney contends that these tools can create content that reproduces Disney's intellectual property including characters from major franchises.
Governance controls
Google stated that it 'has a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship with Disney, and will continue to engage with them.' Google said it uses data from the open web to build AI and has copyright controls in Google and YouTube.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.