New Google AI tools let users create realistic images and videos.
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The Walt Disney Company sent a formal cease-and-desist letter to Google on Wednesday, accusing the tech giant of using its proprietary data to train artificial intelligence models that infringe upon Disney’s copyrighted intellectual property on a “massive scale” for commercial gain.
Disney Accuses Google of ‘Free Riding’ on Protected IP
According to the legal document, Disney claims that Google’s suite of AI services is intentionally engineered to exploit established creative works. The entertainment giant alleges that Google has refused to implement available technological safeguards that could prevent such unauthorized usage, contrasting its behavior with other industry competitors.
“Google’s AI Services are designed to free ride off Disney’s intellectual property. 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. “Instead, Google continues to directly exploit Disney’s copyrights for commercial gain.”
The Growing Conflict Over Generative AI and Copyrights
The dispute intensifies as Google rolls out Gemini 3, which features its second-generation nano banana pro AI image generator. The rapid evolution of these creative tools has enabled web users to generate highly realistic synthetic media, sparking deep anxieties among copyright holders. As a dominant force in global entertainment, Disney finds itself at the center of these escalating debates over fair use and intellectual property protection.
Disney’s grievance focuses heavily on Google’s massive market presence. As the owner of YouTube, Google is accused of “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,” according to the letter.
Google Defends Its AI Training Methods
Disney claims it attempted to resolve these concerns directly with Google months ago, but the tech firm’s inaction prompted this week’s formal escalation. In response, a Google spokesperson emphasized the company’s intent to maintain dialogue, stating, “We have a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship with Disney, and will continue to engage with them.” The representative also noted that Google trains its AI models using open web data and provides copyright controls across its platforms, including YouTube.
A Dual Strategy: Fighting Google While Partnering With OpenAI
This conflict is part of a broader legal campaign by major entertainment companies. Disney, alongside Universal and Warner Bros., previously launched lawsuits against Midjourney AI, labeling the platform “a bottomless pit of plagiarism.” The core issue remains that users can prompt these AI systems to generate assets that closely mimic protected characters, such as Star Wars’ Darth Vader.
However, Disney is simultaneously pursuing a collaborative approach with other major players in the AI space. On Thursday, Disney announced a landmark $1 billion partnership with OpenAI, a primary rival to Google. This licensing agreement grants OpenAI official permission to train its models and generate content using over 200 iconic characters from the Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars universes for its ChatGPT and Sora video platforms. This massive deal positions Disney as a key customer, integrating ChatGPT into its internal workflows and bringing exclusive Sora-generated videos to Disney Plus.