Who’s Accountable? The Fight Over Copyright Moves Into New Territory

This week, copyright enforcement is facing two major challenges — one from internet providers, the other from generative AI. Record labels are calling out the U.S. government for backing Cox Communications in a long-running piracy case, arguing the move weakens copyright protections for artists. Meanwhile, Disney and Universal are suing AI platform Midjourney, alleging it trained on and reproduced copyrighted visual works without permission. These legal battles could shape how — or if — copyright law keeps up with tech.

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ChaseLawyers Newsletter
June 17, 2025

Hi there,

This week’s legal updates center on a single question: who’s responsible when copyrighted work gets misused? In one case, major music labels are pushing back against the U.S. government for siding with internet provider Cox Communications, which they say knowingly allowed large-scale piracy. In another, Disney and Universal are teaming up to sue Midjourney — one of the biggest names in AI art — for allegedly generating images based on their copyrighted characters and scenes. Both lawsuits raise the stakes in the ongoing fight to define creative ownership in a fast-changing world.

Labels Challenge U.S. Government’s Support for Cox Communications

Major music companies, including Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records, are criticizing the U.S. government for backing Cox Communications in a high-profile copyright infringement case. Cox was previously ordered to pay over $1 billion for allegedly turning a blind eye to piracy on its network. Now, the Department of Justice has filed a brief defending the ISP’s appeal, claiming the original ruling misinterpreted copyright law. The labels argue that this support undermines the industry’s ability to hold platforms accountable for enabling illegal file sharing.

Disney and Universal Sue Midjourney Over AI-Generated Copyright Infringement

Disney and Universal have jointly filed a lawsuit against Midjourney, an AI company known for generating images from text prompts. The complaint alleges that Midjourney trained its model on copyrighted visual material — including Disney and Universal properties — and is now enabling users to create unauthorized derivative works. This marks one of the most aggressive legal moves by entertainment giants against generative AI, with potential implications for how copyright law applies to machine-generated content.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Labels Slam U.S. for Backing ISP in Piracy Case

Sony, Universal, and Warner are pushing back after the U.S. government sided with Cox Communications in a billion-dollar piracy lawsuit. They say it’s a blow to copyright enforcement.

Disney & Universal Sue AI Company for Copyright Violations

Disney and Universal are taking legal action against AI art generator Midjourney, claiming it uses their copyrighted characters to create unauthorized works.

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