"Blade Runner" image appeared at the Robotaxi launch event, Tesla and Warner Bros. Discovery Channel sued for copyright infringement
Alcon Entertainment sues Tesla and Warner Bros. Discovery Channel, accusing them of using images related to the movie "Blade Runner 2049" in promoting the new self-driving taxi cybercab. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla violated U.S. copyright law and engaged in false advertising, implying a relationship with Alcon. Alcon rejected Warner Bros.' request, accusing Tesla of using AI-generated similar images that could confuse brand customers. The lawsuit did not specify damages, but emphasized the significant financial scale
According to the financial news app Zhitong Finance, on Monday, the film and television studio Alcon Entertainment filed a lawsuit against Tesla (TSLA.US) and Warner Bros. Discovery Channel (WBD.US), accusing them of using images related to the movie "Blade Runner 2049" to promote Tesla's new self-driving taxi, cybercab.
Alcon filed a federal lawsuit in California, alleging violations of U.S. copyright law and accusing Tesla of "false advertising" for implying a relationship between Alcon and the electric car manufacturer under Elon Musk.
Warner Bros. is the distributor of "Blade Runner 2049," which won two Oscars in 2018.
Alcon stated that it had rejected Warner Bros.' request to use its images at Tesla's self-driving taxi unveiling on October 10. Alcon claimed in the lawsuit that Tesla later used AI-generated images similar to the movie content at its event.
In a statement, Alcon expressed that the defendants' actions "may confuse Alcon's brand partners of 'Blade Runner.'"
The lawsuit did not specify the amount of damages sought, but mentioned that Alcon had spent hundreds of millions of dollars building the "Blade Runner 2049" brand, with the financial scale involved being "quite large."