Tesla’s Cybercab: A High-Tech Ride or a Copyright Crash? Alcon Thinks It’s the Latter!

Tesla recently unveiled its highly anticipated autonomous “cybercab,” and while everyone was buzzing about the future of transportation, Alcon Entertainment was busy crafting a legal response. The studio behind Blade Runner 2049 is taking legal action against Tesla, alleging that the electric vehicle giant has lifted visuals straight from their sci-fi masterpiece without so much as a “please.”

Tesla reportedly approached Warner Bros (Alcon’s distributor) to get permission to use Blade Runner 2049 visuals for their Oct. 10 cybercab reveal. Alcon said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” But it seems Tesla didn’t let a little “no” get in the way; instead, they allegedly cooked up their own Blade Runner lookalikes using AI. It’s a bit like going to a costume party, getting told you can’t dress as the Darth Vader, and deciding to show up as “Dark Laser” instead.

According to Alcon, this was a big no-no, claiming the move creates “false endorsement” and could mislead fans into thinking Tesla is somehow in the Blade Runner family.

Alcon’s complaint doesn’t just stop at Tesla’s questionable visual choices; it dives deeper into the reputational risks of partnering with Elon Musk’s empire. They casually warned that any brand considering a collaboration should think carefully about Musk’s “highly politicized, capricious, and arbitrary behavior.” In other words, hitching your wagon to Musk could be like strapping a rocket to a skateboard—exciting but potentially dangerous. Let’s face it: if there’s one thing we know, it’s that a partnership with Musk can come with its own set of wild, unpredictable twists.

While Alcon didn’t reveal the exact dollar amount they sought, they hinted at a substantial sum reflecting their massive investment in the Blade Runner brand. With hundreds of millions poured into creating and promoting the film and its upcoming Amazon Prime series, Blade Runner 2099, Alcon is adamant about protecting their intellectual property. And trust us, they’re not just letting anyone crash their dystopian party without a ticket!

Tesla and Warner Bros have kept their lips sealed on the lawsuit. However, if Alcon’s legal team pulls off a win, it’ll send a loud and clear message to anyone who thinks they can play fast and loose with someone else’s brand: imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but it can also lead to a severe court date.

Are you a creator or brand owner? Don’t wait for someone to take creative liberties with your hard work. Our IP law team is here to ensure your brand assets are protected from unauthorized use before it spirals out of control. Contact us today, and let’s make sure your intellectual property stays firmly in your hands—no AI-generated copies allowed!

Source: Scarcella, M. (2024) ‘Blade Runner 2049’ producer sues Tesla, Warner Bros over AI Images, reuters.com. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/blade-runner-2049-producer-sues-tesla-warner-bros-over-ai-images-2024-10-21/ (Accessed: 29 October 2024).

Photo (Title): Elliott Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo (In-Text): Steve Jurvetson from Los Altos, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons