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Defamation and Copyright Wars Escalate
This week's headlines are dominated by two blockbuster legal disputes with far-reaching implications. In a sharp rebuke, a federal judge dismissed former President Trump's defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, criticizing the 85-page filing as a "tedious and burdensome" platform for political grievances. Simultaneously, a new front has opened in the copyright battle against AI, as three major film studios have jointly sued Chinese AI firm MiniMax. The studios claim the company's technology, which can generate images and videos of characters like Minions and Darth Vader, poses an "existential threat" to the creative industry. Together, these cases highlight the escalating tensions between public figures and the press, and between content creators and AI developers.
ChaseLawyers Newsletter
September 23, 2025
Hi there,
This edition dives into two major legal battles that are more than just headlines—they're testing the limits of power, reputation, and creativity in the digital age. First, a Republican-appointed judge dismissed Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, calling the lengthy complaint "improper and impermissible" and more like a political speech than a legal filing. Then, Hollywood giants Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal sued Chinese AI company MiniMax, accusing it of building its business by "plundering" their iconic characters like Minions and Superman. These cases show how institutions are pushing back—whether against claims from powerful figures or the unauthorized use of content by AI. And as technology and speech controversies collide, the legal landscape keeps shifting.
Trump's $15B Defamation Case Against NYT Dismissed as "Improper"
A federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, delivering a sharp rebuke of the former president's legal approach. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday criticized the 85-page complaint as "improper and impermissible," comparing it to a political speech rather than a legal filing. The judge specifically called out the document's "tedious and burdensome aggregation of prospective evidence" and "protracted recitation of legal authority." While Trump's lawyers can refile the lawsuit, they'll be limited to 40 pages. The case, which accused the Times and four reporters of undermining Trump's 2024 campaign, continues a pattern of high-profile figures challenging media outlets over critical coverage.
Hollywood Studios Sue AI Company Over "Plundered" Characters
Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Universal Pictures have filed a joint lawsuit against Chinese AI company MiniMax, alleging massive copyright infringement. The studios claim MiniMax's "Hailuo AI" service was built by "plundering" their intellectual property, allowing users to generate images and videos of iconic characters like Minions, Superman, and Darth Vader. The lawsuit characterizes the AI company's actions as an "existential threat" to the creative industry, warning that it's "only a matter of time" until the technology can generate full-length infringing content. This case represents the latest escalation in the entertainment industry's battle against AI companies that train their systems on copyrighted material without permission. The studios are seeking unspecified damages and a court order to stop MiniMax from using their content.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
 Trump’s $15 Billion Defamation Suit Against The New York Times Dismissed |  Disney, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures Sue Chinese AI Company in Escalation of Copyright Battle Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal are suing Chinese AI company MiniMax, alleging it built its business by "plundering" their intellectual property to generate images and videos of copyrighted characters like Minions and Superman. |
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 | Barry Oliver Chase Barry Chase, Esq. is an honors graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, and the founding partner of ChaseLawyers®. In addition to his entertainment attorney legal practice, Mr. Chase lectures regularly on the representation of media personalities, the legal “do’s and don’ts” of music, television, and film production, and the intricacies of film rights option agreements. |
 | Greg Bloom Gregory Bloom, Esq., is a sports and entertainment attorney who concentrates his practice on the representation of athletes, entertainers, and corporate businesses in connection with transactional work and litigation issues ranging from the very simple to the extremely complex. |
 | Alexander Loveyko Alexander Loveyko, Esq. is a New York-licensed attorney and Partner at ChaseLawyers, focusing on intellectual property, entertainment, and Internet law. Based in Miami, he represents creators, Web3 startups, and international talent, advising on IP, licensing, music catalog deals, and immigration matters. |