Musk Seeks to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Tesla AI-Generated Imagery

Legal Challenge to Elon Musk Over AI-Generated Imagery

Legal representatives for Elon Musk are preparing a motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement. The case centers around the use of AI-generated images, inspired by “Blade Runner,” during a Tesla promotional event.

Details of the Dismissal Motion

A filing submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California indicates that both Musk and Tesla, a co-defendant in the case, will seek dismissal of all claims “with prejudice.” This legal term signifies a permanent dismissal, preventing future filings related to the same issue.

Alcon Entertainment, the plaintiff in the suit, has stated its intention to oppose this motion.

The Core of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit, initiated in October, accuses Musk, Tesla, and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) of intentionally violating Alcon Entertainment’s intellectual property rights.

Alcon alleges that Musk and WBD initially requested the use of imagery from the 2017 film “Blade Runner 2049” to promote Tesla’s futuristic vehicle concepts shortly before their unveiling at a Warner studio facility.

Allegations of AI-Driven Duplication

When Alcon declined to grant the necessary rights through WBD, the suit claims Tesla, acting on Musk’s direction, utilized the existing imagery as source material for an AI model. This model was then employed to replicate the visual style.

The suit does not yet specify which AI model was used in this process.

During the event, Musk reportedly presented this allegedly AI-generated imagery while discussing the “Blade Runner” film itself.

Concerns Regarding Agreements with Warner Bros. Discovery

Alcon further asserts that it was not informed of any agreements between Tesla and WBD that would have been required prior to Tesla’s press event.

Potential Damages and Financial Implications

Alcon’s suit seeks to halt further distribution of the disputed promotional materials and requests unspecified damages. The complaint highlights potential financial penalties under the U.S. Copyright Act, which can reach up to $150,000 per infringement.

The complaint also estimates the potential market value of a brand affiliation agreement, stating:

• Tesla could have potentially spent at least $500,000, and possibly up to $10 million or more, to legitimately secure a brand affiliation with “Blade Runner 2049.”
• This expenditure would have been necessary to legally utilize the imagery for Tesla’s cybercab (robotaxi) promotion.

Alcon’s legal team argues that the alleged copyright infringements allowed Tesla to avoid these substantial costs.

Elon Musk is also the head of President Donald Trump’s DOGE organization.