The surge in AI-generated images replicating Studio Ghibli’s iconic animation style has fueled legal discussions about the potential actions the renowned Japanese studio could take against OpenAI.
Legal Grounds Under Trademark and Copyright Law
According to Futurism, Rob Rosenberg, former general counsel at Showtime and founder of Telluride Legal Strategies, suggests that Studio Ghibli may have grounds for legal action under the Lanham Act, a U.S. federal statute governing trademark infringement and unfair competition (Tangermann, 2024). The law protects companies from unauthorized use of trademarks or branding that may cause consumer confusion.
Rosenberg argues that OpenAI’s tools, which allow users to create “Ghibli-style” images, could mislead consumers into believing that Studio Ghibli has endorsed or licensed the AI-generated content (Tangermann, 2024). If proven in court, this could constitute trademark dilution or infringement under the Lanham Act.
Additionally, there are concerns over whether OpenAI used copyrighted Ghibli works in its training datasets. While OpenAI asserts that its training practices fall within fair use, copyright law surrounding AI-generated content remains uncertain due to the lack of clear judicial precedents (Tangermann, 2024).
Beyond a Meme: The Global Spread of AI-Ghibli Art
The AI-generated Ghibli-style images have gained viral popularity, transcending internet memes to become a widespread cultural phenomenon. Millions of users, including public figures and organizations, have shared such content. Notably, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) participated in the trend, posting Ghibli-style images on their official social media accounts (Pérez Colomé, 2025).
The trend’s mainstream adoption raises questions about the ethical and legal implications of replicating well-established artistic styles without the original creator’s permission. The widespread use of AI-generated Ghibli images suggests that AI-generated art may pose broader challenges to intellectual property protections in the entertainment industry (Pérez Colomé, 2025).
Studio Ghibli’s Response and Next Steps
Studio Ghibli has not publicly indicated any intent to take legal action against OpenAI. The studio recently addressed a viral document purported to be a cease-and-desist letter, confirming that it was a fabrication (Tangermann, 2024).
While no lawsuit has been filed, the legal questions surrounding AI-generated art continue to grow. As AI image generators become more advanced, legal experts anticipate that intellectual property disputes will increase, potentially setting new legal precedents for copyright and trademark law in the digital age.
References
Tangermann, V. (2024, March 28). Lawyer Says Studio Ghibli Could Take Legal Action Against OpenAI. Futurism. Retrieved from https://futurism.com/lawyer-studio-ghibli-legal-action-openai
Pérez Colomé, J. (2025, April 2). Por qué la locura de ChatGPT con las imágenes de Ghibli no es solo un meme más. EL PAÍS. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/tecnologia/2025-04-02/por-que-la-locura-de-chatgpt-con-las-imagenes-de-ghibli-no-es-solo-un-meme-mas.html
