In a surprising twist, Tesla and Warner Bros. Discovery are facing a lawsuit filed by Alcon Entertainment, the production company behind the critically acclaimed sci-fi film ‘Blade Runner 2049’. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla, led by the controversial CEO Elon Musk, infringed on the film’s copyright by using AI-generated imagery resembling stills from ‘Blade Runner 2049’ for its ‘We, Robot’ event, which showcased the company’s new robotaxi and humanoid robots.
According to The Verge, Alcon claims that Tesla and Warner Bros. sought permission to use imagery from the film just hours before the event, which was held on the Warner Bros. lot in California. However, Alcon denied the request due to concerns about being associated with Musk and Tesla, citing Musk’s often controversial behavior.
The lawsuit states, “Any prudent brand considering any Tesla partnership has to take Musk’s massively amplified, highly politicized, capricious and arbitrary behavior, which sometimes veers into hate speech, into account.” Alcon’s stance suggests a deliberate attempt to distance their brand from potential reputational risks associated with Musk’s public persona. Despite Alcon’s refusal, Tesla allegedly proceeded to use imagery inspired by ‘Blade Runner 2049’ for its promotional art, which was displayed prominently during the event. Alcon also alleges that it was unaware of any agreements between Tesla and Warner Bros. that were required before the event. The production company believes that these agreements likely included a promotional element connecting Tesla’s Cybercab with one or more films from the studio’s catalog.
While the lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages sought, it asserts that Musk, Tesla, and Warner Bros. were aware of the unauthorized nature of the image and its improper use. Neither Tesla nor WBD has responded to Benzinga’s request for comment.
This lawsuit comes at a pivotal time for Tesla as it continues to navigate the challenges of launching its robotaxi and developing its humanoid robot program. The event’s lack of clear business plans for robotaxis and the absence of updates on a more affordable production vehicle have led analysts to predict continued decline in Tesla’s stock. Furthermore, Tesla’s Optimus robots faced scrutiny after it was revealed that engineers remotely operated them during a demonstration, raising questions about their actual capabilities.
Despite criticism and skepticism surrounding Tesla’s Optimus robots, Nvidia Corp. executive Rev Lebaredian defended the technology, emphasizing the complexity and technological prowess involved in controlling these robots. This lawsuit, however, underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Tesla’s ventures and the potential legal repercussions of its actions.