Tesla’s recent “We, Robot” presentation has landed the company in legal trouble. Alcon Entertainment, a production company behind the sci-fi film Blade Runner 2049, is suing Tesla and CEO Elon Musk for alleged copyright infringement. The lawsuit centers around imagery used during the October 10th event, where Tesla unveiled its Cybercab, Robovan, and the latest iteration of its Optimus humanoid robot.
The presentation, hosted by Musk at Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Studios in Hollywood, allegedly incorporated imagery derived from Blade Runner 2049. Alcon claims Tesla used generative AI and stills from the film to create visuals for the event, despite being denied permission to use the copyrighted material.
According to the lawsuit, Tesla and WBD requested permission to use an “iconic still image” from Blade Runner 2049 mere hours before the “We, Robot” event. Alcon swiftly rejected the request, citing concerns about associating the film with Musk and Tesla, particularly given Musk’s controversial online presence and unpredictable behavior.
Following the rejection, Tesla allegedly used an AI image generator to create a still image resembling visuals from Blade Runner 2049. This image appeared on screen for approximately 10 seconds during the live-streamed event. Ironically, while the image was displayed, Musk referenced the Blade Runner franchise, expressing his hope for a positive future, contrasting with the dystopian visions often portrayed in science fiction.
Alcon further argues in the lawsuit that Musk’s reference to Blade Runner 2049 was unsurprising, given the film’s prominent featuring of a futuristic, autonomous vehicle. The company contends that Tesla’s use of the derived imagery infringes on their copyright and seeks damages, though the specific amount remains undisclosed.
Neither Tesla nor Musk has publicly responded to the lawsuit. The legal proceedings will determine the validity of Alcon’s claims and the potential consequences for Tesla.
