Alcon Entertainment, the production company behind the sci-fi film Blade Runner 2049, has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, Elon Musk, and Warner Bros. Discovery, accusing them of copyright and trademark infringement. The lawsuit alleges that Musk and Tesla used unauthorized footage from Blade Runner 2049 in the promotional launch of Tesla’s self-driving Robotaxi. Filed in federal court in Southern California, the suit aims to stop Musk, Tesla, and Warner Bros. Discovery from further use or distribution of the Blade Runner 2049 imagery, with Alcon seeking compensation for damages.
Unauthorized Use of Blade Runner 2049 Footage in Tesla’s Robotaxi Launch
Tesla unveiled the Robotaxi on October 10, holding the event at Warner Bros. Discovery’s campus in Burbank, California. During the presentation, Tesla used AI-generated images reminiscent of scenes from Blade Runner 2049, including a character that resembled actor Ryan Gosling and a futuristic vehicle. Alcon claims this presentation was unauthorized, stating they previously declined Warner Bros. Discovery’s request for permission to use the film’s imagery. The launch event was streamed live and later re-uploaded online, accumulating millions of views worldwide.
According to Alcon, Warner Bros. Discovery had approached them on October 9, one day before the launch, to request permission to use Blade Runner 2049 visuals for Tesla’s presentation. Alcon co-CEOs Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson reportedly denied the request, wishing to avoid any association with Musk or Tesla.
Alcon’s Position on the Lawsuit and Potential Impact
Alcon has expressed concern over Tesla’s use of the Blade Runner 2049 brand, citing the high financial value of this intellectual property. The company invested millions into building the BR2049 brand, a globally recognized cinematic icon, and previously entered similar licensing agreements worth tens of millions of dollars. Alcon’s representative noted that Musk’s reputation and his frequently controversial statements were additional reasons they did not wish to associate with him or his companies.
The lawsuit argues that Musk and Tesla’s unauthorized use of these images could mislead Alcon’s partners and fans, particularly in light of their ongoing project Blade Runner 2049, currently filming in Europe for Amazon Prime.
Musk’s Reaction and Public Opinion
Elon Musk responded to the lawsuit on social media, posting on X (formerly Twitter) on October 22 that he thought Blade Runner 2049 was “terrible,” a comment that received over 56,000 views and 1,800 likes. This post drew mixed reactions, with some fans defending the film’s critical acclaim, while others agreed with Musk’s criticism of the movie’s pacing. Alcon’s legal team alleges Musk was aware of the copyright restrictions, yet proceeded with the presentation despite this knowledge.
About Blade Runner 2049 and Alcon Entertainment
Blade Runner 2049, released in 2017 and directed by Denis Villeneuve, is set 30 years after the original Blade Runner (1982). The film explores a world where advanced robots, implanted with artificial memories and emotions, play significant roles in society, though older models are being purged. The plot follows Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a new-generation police “blade runner” robot, who uncovers a female robot’s body, sparking the revelation that robots may be capable of reproduction. This discovery leads K on a mission that intertwines with the original story’s protagonist, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford).
At the 2018 Oscars, Blade Runner 2049 won two awards out of five nominations, including Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects. The film was also recognized at the BAFTA Awards, where it won in both Cinematography and Visual Effects categories.
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and Beyond
Elon Musk, 53, is the CEO and product architect of Tesla, as well as the founder and CEO of SpaceX. Musk’s ventures span across multiple industries, including his role as co-founder of PayPal, chair of SolarCity, and co-founder of Neuralink.
Musk is a father of 11 children from various relationships. Six children were with his first wife, Justine (his first son died at 10 weeks old), three with singer Grimes, and two with Shivon Zilis, a colleague at Neuralink.
