Hello, my most well-dressed subscribers!

A long time ago, in a galaxy right close by, I made an AI image of Darth Vader to open this newsletter—but it turns out that Disney says that’s “copyright” “infringement” instead of me just, you know, doing a pastiche, as AI firm Midjourney claims. So that’s the end of that bubble, I guess.

News You Need2Know

• The ‘crypto kidnapping’ that maybe wasn’t?

• Disney and Universal sue AI firm on copyright

• Google offers more workers buyouts cuz AI

• Musk on Trump: Regrets, I have a few, but then aga …

• Tesla’s robotaxi service to ‘tentatively’ launch i …

Also: I was kidnapped last weekend and forced to do things against my will. By my own wife and child. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor

Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

$DIS ( ▼ 0.71% )  $UMGP ( 0.0% )  $GOOGL ( ▼ 0.59% )  $TSLA ( ▲ 2.0% )  

The ‘crypto kidnapping’ that maybe wasn’t?

Remember that wild “crypto kidnapping” case from a few weeks ago? The one where an Italian crypto bro alleged he was pistol-whipped, tortured, and held hostage for 17 grueling days inside a fancy Manhattan townhouse? Well, plot twist: According to the accused captors’ lawyers, the supposed victim wasn’t kidnapped at all. In fact, they argue, he was living his best life—voluntarily.

This could be awkward. The accused’s lawyers say the “captive” came and went as he pleased from the upscale townhouse where he says he was held — going to church, clubs and dinners. Not exactly the vibe of someone “constantly guarded” and tortured with chainsaws and electrical wires, as prosecutors continue to claim.

Co-defendant William Duplessie’s lawyer, Sam “Look Who’s” Talkin, said: “The [accuser’s] story that he is selling doesn’t make sense.” He added that the accuser was not only free to leave but also busy indulging in crack smoking and, uh, “alternative social settings.” Talkin’s videos show the accuser participating in group sex and smoking crack cocaine while, he says, “laughing and smiling the whole time.”

I mean, we’ve all done it.

Prosecutors insist the victim’s comings and goings don’t negate the fact that he was under duress, facing threats, and unable to escape safely. But these new (ahem) cracks in the story muddy the waters.

Song of the day: ‘Some People Can Do What They Like,’ by Robert Palmer

Apropos of almost all of today’s news, “Some People Can Do What They Like” is the title track off the third solo album by Robert Palmer, released in 1976. The model on the front cover, engaging Palmer in a game of strip poker, is Playboy magazine's April 1976 Playmate of the Month, Denise Michele. I once wrote a song called “I like Robert Palmer” for my rock band, Hispano-Suiza. The song included the line “he dresses like my father, only better.” Which is why I’m a reasonably high-quality journalist these days. Palmer, rest in peace, remains a golden god, of course.

Disney and Universal sue AI firm on copyright

Disney and Universal $DIS ( ▼ 0.71% )  $UMGP ( 0.0% ) are suing popular AI image-generator Midjourney over alleged infringement of copyright. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court in Los Angeles, accuses the San Francisco–based company of unabashedly swiping the studios’ iconic intellectual property to generate “endless unauthorized copies” of characters like Darth Vader and the Minions.

The complaint didn’t mince words. “Midjourney is the quintessential copyright free-rider and a bottomless pit of plagiarism. Piracy is piracy, and whether an infringing image or video is made with AI or another technology does not make it any less infringing,” it said.

Disney and Universal claim Midjourney ignored requests to stop the alleged infringement and failed to implement preventive technological measures.

But Midjourney CEO David Holz seems to have a different take. In a 2022 interview, Holz likened the AI image-generating process to a souped-up search engine, saying, “Can a person look at somebody else’s picture and learn from it and make a similar picture? Obviously, it’s allowed for people... To the extent that AIs are learning like people, it’s sort of the same thing.”

Sort of? Except, you know…illegal. Probably. Honestly find me an AI CEO who doesn’t sound like a chancer and I’ll give you a bitcoin from my staaaaash.

The lawsuit comes amid a growing wave of legal challenges against generative AI platforms, including cases against OpenAI, and a major copyright trial in London between Getty Images $GETY ( ▼ 6.92% ) and Stability AI.

The Recording Industry Association of America commented, “This action by Disney and Universal represents a critical stand for human creativity and responsible innovation.”

Also: Disney needs the money, especially after buying out Hulu and the Galactic Starcruiser fiasco.

Today on the ‘gram: Musk says sowwy

Post of the day: At least it’s not a red one

Quote of the Day

Google offers more workers buyouts cuz AI

Alphabet-owned Google $GOOGL ( ▼ 0.59% ) has announced buyouts for employees across several divisions, amid rapid industry changes driven by AI and mounting antitrust concerns.

The firm laid off 12,000 staff in 2023. Courtenay Mencini, a Google spokesperson, said: “Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for U.S.-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead.”

Another way of saying that is: “We’re replacing em with robots.”

The buyouts come at a pivotal moment for Google, as it faces legal pressure that could reshape how it operates. A federal judge is weighing remedies after determining that Google’s search engine is an illegal monopoly, stemming from a five-year-long case launched by the Justice Department.

Amid these legal challenges, Google has been investing heavily in AI technology, allocating $75 billion to it — a move that has not been without consequences. Its search engine is being transformed into a "conversational answer engine," hinting at a complete overhaul of how users interact with search.

Should you check your 401(k) today?

👎️ 

No.

Musk on Trump: Regrets, I have a few, but then again, too few to mention

For years my brother used ketamine, among other drugs, including most of the ones Elon Musk has (according to the New York Times!) been doing like crazy, and it’s been a decade since I last spoke with him (my brother, not Musk, who I talk to daily). I’ve found my life has gone immeasurably better since drawing that line. Suffice to say I’ve done the rounds of bad behavior and apologies and further bad behavior and apologies to death. Not interested. Goodbye. He actually emailed me a few weeks ago for the first time in 10 years. I didn’t even open it.

In related news, Elon Musk has dialed back his public feud with former President Donald Trump, expressing regret over posts on X (formerly Twitter) that may have strained their relationship and drawn backlash. The billionaire entrepreneur, who previously supported Trump politically and financially, signaled a shift in tone that could have implications for both his businesses and political alliances. In the early hours of Wednesday, Musk tweeted:

I find a post like that, let’s say... familiar.

The move appears to be damage control after Musk sharply criticized Trump in prior posts, including claims tying the former president to Jeffrey Epstein. Musk has since deleted those controversial posts but left others — such as his criticism of a recent spending bill labeled as an “abomination” — visible on his feed.

The feud has ignited speculation about the risks Musk faces as the head of major government contractors like SpaceX and Tesla. Trump recently warned during an interview that Musk could face "serious consequences" if he aids Democrats in future elections, adding another layer of tension to their already fragile relationship.

Despite these uncertainties, Tesla $TSLA ( ▲ 2.0% ) shares have shown resilience. The stock regained previous losses from the feud's initial escalation last Thursday, rising nearly 2% in early trading on Wednesday.

See today’s song of the day, above.

Tesla’s robotaxi service to ‘tentatively’ launch in Austin on June 22

In totally unrelated news, Musk has shared that Tesla is "tentatively" scheduled to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 22, marking a significant milestone in the company's pursuit of fully autonomous vehicles. The announcement comes after years of anticipation, though Musk notes the rollout is subject to change as Tesla remains “super paranoid about safety.”

Paranoia, eh?

Hey Google, conversationally, what are common ketamine withdrawal symptoms?

Tesla plans to start small, with about 10 robotaxis, and ramp up operations quickly assuming nobody dies. Musk also indicated plans to expand service to cities like Los Angeles, San Antonio, and San Francisco in the near future.

Speaking of which in Los Angeles, people have been setting fire to Waymo driverless taxis amid protests over Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Tesla enthusiasts, investors, and Wall Street analysts have eagerly awaited the rollout of Tesla's driverless cab service, which Musk has promised for years. However, the pressure on Tesla is higher than ever. Tesla skeptics have been daubing swastikas all over the company’s vehicles since Musk’s unusual arm gestures on inauguration day. But the ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement hits differently in Austin.

Poll of the Day: Would you forgive Elon?

Poll Results: You don’t trust robot truck drivers

We asked: Do you trust robot truck drivers?

You answered:

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes. I would like one to deliver my valuables for safekeeping. (134)

 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 No. Keep that robot away from my particulars! (630)

764 Votes via @beehiiv polls