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Blade Runner 2049 producer sues Elon Musk for “intentionally malicious” copyright infringement

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Blade Runner 2049 producer sues Elon Musk for "intentionally malicious" copyright infringement

As a lifelong fan of Blade Runner and its intricate blend of science fiction, artistry, and cinematic brilliance, I can’t help but feel a pang of dismay upon learning about Alcon Entertainment’s lawsuit against Elon Musk, Tesla, and Warner Bros. Discovery for copyright infringement. The similarity between the image from Blade Runner 2049 and the one presented at Tesla’s robotaxi event is striking, to say the least.

Just recently, Tesla, an electric car company, unveiled its self-driving taxi service (robotaxi) in Burbank, California, on the Warner Bros. Discovery Studios backlot. Since autonomous taxis are a common element in films like Blade Runner 2049, which was distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery, it seems fitting that Tesla CEO Elon Musk chose this location for the debut.

In a different phrasing: However, unlike the creators of Blade Runner 2049, it was Tesla who presented a video showcasing their new robotaxis with an image that bore a striking resemblance to Blade Runner 2049. This similarity was not appreciated by Alcon Entertainment, the production company behind the movie. As reported by Variety, Alcon has now initiated legal action against Elon Musk, Tesla, and Warner Bros. Discovery, alleging copyright infringement and false endorsement.

The image displayed earlier is the one used as the header in the Blade Runner 2049 trailer, making it easily recognizable. Compare it with the image Alcon alleges is a copyright infringement below:

In their lawsuit, Alcon points out that Tesla’s promotional material showcases a man resembling Ryan Gosling (who played K in Blade Runner 2049) and an automobile reminiscent of the futuristic Peugeot-inspired vehicle from the movie. Interestingly, Musk often referred to his new self-driving car as being similar to the intelligent, autonomous vehicle depicted in Blade Runner 2049 – a film where such a car plays a significant role throughout the plot. The lawsuit suggests that it was no mere coincidence that Musk chose this specific Hollywood movie, which features an artificially intelligent and autonomous automobile, to discuss his new cybercab project.

According to Alcon, they claim that Musk and Warner Bros. Discovery were aware they didn’t have the right to use a specific image but chose to use it regardless. On October 8th, just before the robotaxi event, WBD reportedly asked Alcon for permission to use this particular image. However, Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson from Alcon declined their request, expressing concerns about their film being linked in any way with Tesla, Musk, or any of his companies. After that, it’s claimed that Musk himself became aware of Alcon’s denial and objections. Subsequently, Alcon asserts that the defendants’ actions were a deliberate, malicious ploy to make the rather dull content of their joint event more appealing globally, and to unlawfully exploit the Blade Runner 2049 brand to help promote Tesla vehicles.

Alcon prefers to keep the visual elements from the film ‘Blade Runner 2049’ separate from Tesla and Elon Musk due to several factors. Firstly, there’s the concern about being linked to a figure like Musk, whose behavior can be controversial at times. The argument is that any brand considering a partnership with Tesla should consider Musk’s amplified, highly politicized, unpredictable actions, which occasionally border on hate speech. If a company or its leaders do not share Musk’s extreme political and social views, then such a partnership becomes even more complicated due to potential disagreements.

Next, Alcon is developing a live-action TV series based on Blade Runner for Amazon, and they are careful to avoid any conflicts with possible partnerships with other automobile brands. It’s intriguing to consider if the upcoming Blade Runner 2099 would have turned out differently if it were being produced by Warner Bros. Discovery instead.

Blade Runner 2049 producer sues Elon Musk for "intentionally malicious" copyright infringement

Another wrinkle here is that the image used in the robotaxi event appears to be AI-generated. Courts have yet to draw many clear lines on regarding AI-generated images when it comes to copyright infringement. This is one of many lawsuits that’s hoping to change that; A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin is also filing a lawsuit in the hopes of getting the authorities to make up clear rules around this stuff.

Given the limited information available, it’s challenging to predict how these situations will unfold, but we’ll be keeping a close eye. Alongside monetary compensation, Alcon is seeking an order that prevents Musk, Tesla, Warner Bros. Discovery, and anyone collaborating with them from continuing to copy, exhibit, distribute, sell, or offer for sale the “Black Runner 2049” or any of its protected elements in relation to Tesla or Musk. They are also seeking an order that prohibits the creation of derivative works based on these elements for such purposes.

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2024-10-21 22:41

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