Tesla CEO Elon Musk is taking steps to have a lawsuit dismissed that accuses him and the company of using AI-generated “Blade Runner 2049”-inspired images without permission at a Tesla press event.
In a filing to the U.S. District Court, Musk’s legal team requested that all claims against him and Tesla be permanently dismissed, which means they cannot be refiled. Alcon Entertainment, the production company behind “Blade Runner 2049,” filed the lawsuit in October.
The lawsuit claims that Musk and Warner Bros. Discovery asked to use imagery from the film to promote Tesla’s concept cars but were denied permission. According to Alcon, Tesla then used an AI model to create similar images, which were shown at the press event by Musk.
The lawsuit alleges that this use of AI-generated images violated Alcon’s intellectual property rights. The production company further claims that Tesla did not have agreements with Warner Bros. or Alcon for the use of the imagery.
In addition to seeking damages, Alcon requested a ban on Tesla using the disputed promotional material in the future. The company estimated that Tesla saved significant costs, potentially in the millions of dollars, by using AI-generated images rather than securing an official brand affiliation with “Blade Runner 2049.”
Musk’s legal team has made it clear that they intend to oppose the lawsuit and dismiss all claims with prejudice, meaning it would be a permanent dismissal. The case has drawn attention due to the increasing use of AI in creative fields and the potential implications for intellectual property law.
