Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Alcon Entertainment, the producer of Blade Runner 2049, sued Tesla, Elon Musk and Warner Bros. Discovery after an image shown during Tesla’s October 10, 2024 Robotaxi event appeared, Alcon alleges, to resemble imagery from the film. Alcon says it had refused permission. The case’s reported early court ruling allowed a copyright claim against Tesla and Musk to proceed; it did not decide that they infringed copyright.
What happened at Tesla’s Robotaxi event?
Tesla held its Robotaxi unveiling on October 10, 2024, at a Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, and livestreamed the event, the Associated Press reported. During the presentation, an image showed a man in a long coat looking over an orange-tinted, ruined city. Musk also referred to Blade Runner, saying, “I love Blade Runner, but I don’t know if we want that future,” and, “I think we want that duster he’s wearing, but not the bleak apocalypse.”
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Blade Runner 2049 (Blu-ray) (BD) | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Blade Runner 2049 (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray) (4K Ultra) | $17.53 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Blade Runner 2049 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Blade Runner Collection: Blade Runner The Final Cut / Blade Runner 2049 (2-Movie Blu-ray Set) | $28.88 | Buy on Amazon |
The remarks and the image are separate parts of the dispute: Musk’s comments establish that he referenced the film, but they do not by themselves establish whether the image infringed copyright or implied an endorsement.
Why did Alcon sue Musk, Tesla and Warner Bros. Discovery?
Alcon’s complaint, filed October 21, 2024, alleges that the defendants sought permission to use a still from Blade Runner 2049 and that Alcon refused. It says an image created for the event nevertheless resembled protected imagery from the film and was used in a commercial promotion. Those are allegations in the complaint, not findings made by a court.
#1 Best Overall
Alcon also alleged false association. It said it objected to any suggestion of an affiliation between the film and Tesla, Musk or a Musk-owned company. The complaint framed possible reputational harm and effects on prospective automotive-brand collaborations as business concerns. They are Alcon’s stated concerns, not established losses or proven damages.
Warner Bros. Discovery is also a defendant, and its Burbank lot hosted the event. The location alone does not establish what the company knew about the image or whether it authorized its use.
Rank #2
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
What has the court decided—and what remains unresolved?
Legal-news reporting in February 2026 said the court declined to dismiss the copyright claim against Tesla and Musk. A docket tracker showed discovery proceedings continuing through July 28, 2026. These updates describe the case’s procedural stage, not a final decision on liability.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Question | What the available record says | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| What does Alcon allege? | That permission was refused and that an image used at the event resembled protected film imagery in a commercial setting. | That a court has found copying, infringement or false association. |
| What happened to the copyright claim against Tesla and Musk? | It survived the reported motion-to-dismiss stage in February 2026. | That the claim has been proved or that Tesla or Musk has been found liable. |
| What is the case’s reported procedural status? | A docket tracker showed discovery proceedings continuing through July 28, 2026. | The final outcome, or the status of every claim against every defendant. |
A decision not to dismiss a claim means it can continue at that stage; it is not a merits judgment. The reported ruling therefore does not resolve whether the image copied protected expression, whether any use was legally permitted, or whether the challenged presentation created a false association. The supplied status information does not specify a court ruling on Alcon’s false-association claim.
Rank #3
Did Tesla use a Blade Runner image?
Alcon alleges that the image shown at the event resembled Blade Runner 2049 imagery and that it had refused permission for a requested still. The available reports describe the image and the lawsuit, but the case had not reached a final merits decision in the latest located procedural update. It is therefore more accurate to say that Alcon alleges unauthorized use of a similar image than to state that a court found Tesla used the film’s image unlawfully.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and case status
The Associated Press reported on the event and Musk’s remarks on October 22, 2024. Alcon’s complaint in Alcon Entertainment, LLC v. Tesla, Inc. et al., Case 2:24-cv-09033, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on October 21, 2024. The February 2026 motion-to-dismiss update was reported by Law360; the later discovery update came from the Dr. Docket case tracker through July 28, 2026. Because docket activity can change, the latest court docket is the definitive source for subsequent developments.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Widescreen
- Bundle
- Double Feature
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
