"Blade Runner 2049" producers sue Elon Musk for copyright infringement

Producers of "Blade Runner 2049" have initiated a lawsuit against Elon Musk, claiming he improperly used images from the film during the Tesla robotaxi launch event.

Alcon Entertainment, one of the companies behind the film, is suing Musk, along with Tesla and Warner Bros. Discovery, for alleged copyright infringement, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The lawsuit asserts that Musk sought permission to incorporate material from "Blade Runner 2049" in the marketing for the new Cybercab but was denied. Despite this, the complaint alleges that Musk proceeded to utilize AI-generated images that echo scenes from the film, including one featuring a character resembling Ryan Gosling, who portrays the lead character K.

According to the lawsuit, Musk's use of these images was described as "a bad faith and intentionally malicious gambit," intended to enhance the event's appeal and misappropriate the film’s brand for promoting Tesla vehicles. Alcon maintains that it firmly opposed any implication of a connection between "Blade Runner 2049" and Tesla or Musk's ventures.

The company reportedly denied Musk’s request due to his “highly politicized, capricious and arbitrary behavior,” which they claim sometimes crosses into hate speech. Musk's political activities, including his support for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race and his announcement of $1 million incentives for swing state voters, have contributed to this stance.

Musk has previously acknowledged the influence of the "Blade Runner" sequel on his Tesla technology, underscoring a long-standing connection between his work and the film's themes. In a related incident, director Alex Proyas, known for the film "I, Robot," accused Musk of copying his designs, humorously asking him on social media for their return.

This legal action highlights ongoing tensions between Musk and the creative community, particularly as technological innovations increasingly intersect with established intellectual properties. The outcome of the lawsuit could have implications not only for Musk but also for the broader relationship between tech entrepreneurs and the entertainment industry.

By Vafa Guliyeva