- Elon Musk and Tesla face legal action over Blade Runner references in robotaxi presentation, with allegations of copyright infringement surfacing from Alcon Entertainment.
- The production company filed a four-count lawsuit against Musk, Tesla, and Warner Bros, claiming three counts of copyright infringement and one count of false endorsement.
- During the controversial presentation, Musk praised Blade Runner 2049 but clarified that it does not align with his vision for the future.
- Alcon asserts that they had previously denied Musk’s request to use such imagery, yet the AI-generated visuals were still incorporated into the presentation.
Elon Musk’s recent fixation on referencing the film Blade Runner 2049 during Tesla’s robotaxi presentation has led to legal complications.
Alcon Entertainment, the production company behind Blade Runner 2049, has filed a four-count lawsuit against Tesla, Musk, and Warner Bros., citing copyright infringement and false endorsement claims.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday, includes three counts of copyright infringement and one count of making false claims or “false endorsement.” Alcon argues that Tesla’s use of imagery similar to scenes from Blade Runner 2049 without permission is harmful to their business interests.
During the presentation, Musk praised the film but stated it does not reflect the future he wants. An image displayed at the event showed a person in a long coat facing a sandstorm set against a skyline under an orange sky.
Elon Musk’s homage to Blade Runner 2049 during Tesla’s robotaxi presentation has landed him in legal trouble. https://t.co/1D6lRRAtL4
— TAG24 NEWS (@TAG24_NEWS) October 23, 2024
Alcon claims this image was designed to create associations with a similar scene from their film, which they had denied permission to use.
According to Alcon, Tesla asked to use the image just hours before the event. The company had already refused, but Musk’s presentation still featured a similar AI-generated image.
Alcon argues they do not want to be linked to Musk or his companies, citing his
“highly politicized, capricious and arbitrary behavior, which sometimes veers into hate speech”.
Tesla plans to start production of their self-driving electric vehicle, meant to transport passengers without a human driver, in 2026. The car is expected to cost less than $30,000. Musk has been promising self-driving cars for over eight years.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction and financial compensation. Tesla has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit. This legal action adds another layer of complexity to Musk’s ambitious plans for autonomous vehicles and his ongoing efforts to revolutionize the automotive industry.
Don’t Miss | Are Angelina Jolie and Akala More Than Just Friends? Find Out!
Last Updated on October 23, 2024 by 247 News Around The World
