Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 1 of 60 Page ID #:1301 1 QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN, LLP 2 Robert M. Schwartz (Bar No. 117166) 3 robertschwartz@quinnemanuel.com Daniel C. Posner (Bar No. 232009) 4 danposner@quinnemanuel.com Aaron Perahia (Bar No. 304554) 5 aaronperahia@quinnemanuel.com Moon Hee Lee (Bar No. 318020) 6 moonheelee@quinnemanuel.com 7 Bradley Kahn (Bar No. 364637) bradleykahn@quinnemanuel.com 8 865 South Figueroa Street, 10th Floor Los Angeles, California 90017-2543 9 Telephone: (213) 443-3000 10 Facsimile: (213) 443-3100 11 Attorneys for Defendant and Counterclaimant Nanonoble Pte. Ltd. and 12 Defendant Shanghai Xiyu Jizhi Technology Co. Ltd. 13 14 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 15 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, WESTERN DIVISION 16 17 DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., a Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Delaware corporation; UNIVERSAL 18 CITY STUDIOS PRODUCTIONS DEFENDANTS NANONOBLE PTE. 19 LLLP, a Delaware limited liability LTD. AND SHANGHAI XIYU JIZHI limited partnership; WARNER BROS. TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.’S 20 ENTERTAINMENT INC., a Delaware ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE corporation; MARVEL DEFENSES; COUNTERCLAIMANT 21 CHARACTERS, INC., a Delaware NANONOBLE PTE. LTD.’S corporation; MVL FILM FINANCE COUNTERCLAIMS FOR 22 LLC, a Delaware limited liability CONTRACTUAL 23 company; LUCASFILM LTD. LLC, a INDEMNIFICATION, BREACH OF California limited liability company; CONTRACT, AND 24 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM DECLARATORY RELIEF; CORPORATION, a Delaware DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 25 corporation; DC COMICS, a New York 26 general partnership; THE CARTOON Complaint Filed: September 16, 2025 NETWORK, INC., a Delaware Trial Date: July 12, 2027 27 corporation; TURNER ENTERTAINMENT CO., a Delaware 28 corporation; HANNA-BARBERA Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 2 of 60 Page ID #:1302 1 PRODUCTIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation; and DREAMWORKS 2 ANIMATION L.L.C., a Delaware 3 limited liability company, 4 Plaintiffs, 5 vs. 6 SHANGHAI XIYU JIZHI 7 TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., a Chinese limited company; and NANONOBLE 8 PTE. LTD., a Singaporean private limited company, 9 10 Defendants. 11 NANONOBLE PTE. LTD., a 12 Singaporean private limited company, 13 Counterclaimant, 14 vs. 15 DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., a 16 Delaware corporation; UNIVERSAL 17 CITY STUDIOS PRODUCTIONS LLLP, a Delaware limited liability 18 limited partnership; WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC., a Delaware 19 corporation; MARVEL CHARACTERS, INC., a Delaware 20 corporation; MVL FILM FINANCE 21 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; LUCASFILM LTD. LLC, a 22 California limited liability company; TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM 23 CORPORATION, a Delaware 24 corporation; DC COMICS, a New York general partnership; THE CARTOON 25 NETWORK, INC., a Delaware corporation; TURNER 26 ENTERTAINMENT CO., a Delaware corporation; HANNA-BARBERA 27 PRODUCTIONS, INC., a Delaware 28 corporation; and DREAMWORKS 2 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 3 of 60 Page ID #:1303 1 ANIMATION L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, 2 3 Counterclaim-Defendants. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 3 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 4 of 60 Page ID #:1304 1 DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER TO THE COMPLAINT 2 Defendants Nanonoble Pte. Ltd. (“Nanonoble”) and Shanghai Xiyu Jizhi 3 Technology Co. Ltd. (“SXJT”) (together, “Defendants”) answer the Complaint of 4 Plaintiffs Disney Enterprises, Inc., Universal City Studios Productions LLLP, 5 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Marvel Characters, Inc., MVL Film Finance LLC, 6 Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, DC Comics, The 7 Cartoon Network, Inc., Turner Entertainment Co., Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc., 8 and DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. (collectively, the “Studios” or “Plaintiffs”). 9 The Complaint improperly defines “MiniMax” to refer collectively to three 10 distinct legal entities—one of which, the “MiniMax” defendant, has been dismissed 11 from this action—and Defendants deny the propriety of that collective definition. 12 Defendants deny any allegation attributing undifferentiated conduct to “MiniMax” 13 as to each Defendant, except as expressly admitted. SXJT further answers subject 14 to, and without waiver of, its defense of lack of personal jurisdiction. 15 The headings and subheadings in the Complaint are not allegations of fact and 16 require no response, and Defendants have not reproduced them. To the extent a 17 response is required, Defendants deny the allegations those headings and 18 subheadings contain. Except as expressly admitted herein, Defendants deny each 19 and every allegation in the Complaint. Responding to the specifically numbered 20 paragraphs of the Complaint, and using the corresponding paragraph numbers, 21 Defendants state as follows: 22 Introduction 23 1. Defendants admit that Nanonoble makes the Hailuo AI tool available as 24 an artificial-intelligence image- and video-generation service. Defendants deny the 25 remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 1. 26 2. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 27 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 2, and on that basis deny them. 28 3. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 3. 4 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 5 of 60 Page ID #:1305 1 4. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 4, and on that basis deny them. 3 5. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 4 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 5, and on that basis deny them. 5 6. Paragraph 6 states legal conclusions concerning alleged copying, public 6 display, public performance, distribution, derivative works, authorization, and 7 infringement that require no response. To the extent a response is required, 8 Defendants admit that users can generate image and video outputs in response to 9 text prompts using the Hailuo AI tool and may download certain outputs. To the 10 extent Paragraph 6 purports to characterize the image displayed in Paragraph 6, the 11 image speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to 12 form a belief as to who submitted any prompt used to generate the image displayed 13 in Paragraph 6, what prompt or prompts were submitted, how the Studios obtained 14 the image, or as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted 15 rights in the character referenced in Paragraph 6, and on that basis deny those 16 allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 17 Paragraph 6. 18 7. Defendants admit that users can generate image and video outputs in 19 response to text prompts using the Hailuo AI tool and may download certain 20 outputs. To the extent Paragraph 7 purports to characterize the image displayed in 21 Paragraph 7, the image speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information 22 sufficient to form a belief as to who submitted any prompt used to generate the 23 image displayed in Paragraph 7, what prompt or prompts were submitted, how the 24 Studios obtained the image, or as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular 25 works or asserted rights in the character referenced in Paragraph 7, and on that basis 26 deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 27 characterizations in Paragraph 7. 28 5 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 6 of 60 Page ID #:1306 1 8. Defendants admit that users can generate image and video outputs in 2 response to text prompts using the Hailuo AI tool and may download certain 3 outputs. To the extent Paragraph 8 purports to characterize the image displayed in 4 Paragraph 8, the image speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information 5 sufficient to form a belief as to who submitted any prompt used to generate the 6 image displayed in Paragraph 8, what prompt or prompts were submitted, how the 7 Studios obtained the image, or as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular 8 works or asserted rights in the characters referenced in Paragraph 8, and on that 9 basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 10 characterizations in Paragraph 8. 11 9. To the extent Paragraph 9 purports to characterize or screenshot an 12 Instagram post, the post speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or 13 information sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of 14 particular works or asserted rights in the character referenced in Paragraph 9, and on 15 that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 16 characterizations in Paragraph 9. 17 10. To the extent Paragraph 10 purports to characterize or screenshot an 18 Instagram post, the post speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or 19 information sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of 20 particular works or asserted rights in characters referenced in Paragraph 10, and on 21 that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 22 characterizations in Paragraph 10. 23 11. Defendants admit that the WeChat post depicted in Paragraph 11 24 previously appeared on an official WeChat account associated with the Hailuo AI 25 tool. To the extent Paragraph 11 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the 26 post speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form 27 a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights 28 6 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 7 of 60 Page ID #:1307 1 in the character referenced in Paragraph 11, and on that basis deny those allegations. 2 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 11. 3 12. Defendants admit that Nanonoble’s Hailuo AI tool includes certain 4 content-moderation measures, including measures that may block prompts seeking 5 to generate violent or sexually explicit content. Defendants lack knowledge or 6 information sufficient to form a belief as to the content-moderation practices of 7 other, unidentified AI services, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 8 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 12. 9 13. Defendants admit that the Studios’ counsel sent a letter dated August 10 27, 2025. To the extent Paragraph 13 purports to characterize that letter, the letter 11 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 12 belief as to the alleged “$4 billion” valuation and subscriber figures as to 13 “MiniMax,” and on that basis deny them. Defendants deny the remaining 14 allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 13. 15 14. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 14. 16 The Parties 17 15. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 15, and on that basis deny them. 19 16. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 20 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 16, and on that basis deny them. 21 17. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 17, and on that basis deny them. 23 18. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 24 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 18, and on that basis deny them. 25 19. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 19, and on that basis deny them. 27 20. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 28 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 20, and on that basis deny them. 7 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 8 of 60 Page ID #:1308 1 21. Defendants admit that Exhibit A to the Complaint is a document 2 purporting to list copyright registrations. Defendants lack knowledge or information 3 sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works 4 or asserted exclusive rights, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 5 deny the remaining allegations in Paragraph 21. 6 22. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 7 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 22, and on that basis deny them. 8 23. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 9 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 23, and on that basis deny them. 10 24. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 11 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 24, and on that basis deny them. 12 25. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 13 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 25, and on that basis deny them. 14 26. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 15 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 26, and on that basis deny them. 16 27. Defendants admit that Exhibit B to the Complaint is a document 17 purporting to list copyright registrations. Defendants lack knowledge or information 18 sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works 19 or asserted exclusive rights, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 20 deny the remaining allegations in Paragraph 27. 21 28. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 28, and on that basis deny them. 23 29. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 24 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 29, and on that basis deny them. 25 30. Defendants admit that Exhibit C to the Complaint is a document 26 purporting to list copyright registrations. Defendants lack knowledge or information 27 sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works 28 8 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 9 of 60 Page ID #:1309 1 or asserted exclusive rights, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 2 deny the remaining allegations in Paragraph 30. 3 31. Paragraph 31 sets forth a definitional statement that requires no 4 response. To the extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or 5 information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations, and on that 6 basis deny them. 7 32. The defendant named in the Complaint as “MiniMax” has been 8 dismissed from this action. Defendants do not respond to allegations directed solely 9 at that dismissed party. To the extent a response is required, Defendants state that 10 the webpage referenced in Paragraph 32 and attached as Exhibit D to the Complaint 11 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 12 belief as to the unidentified public reports referenced in Paragraph 32, and on that 13 basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 14 characterizations in Paragraph 32. 15 33. Defendants admit that SXJT is a limited liability company 16 headquartered in Shanghai, China, and that it filed the U.S. trademark application 17 for the mark “MiniMax” attached as Exhibit E to the Complaint. To the extent 18 Paragraph 33 purports to characterize that application, the application speaks for 19 itself. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 20 Paragraph 33. 21 34. Defendants admit that Nanonoble is a Singaporean private limited 22 company headquartered in Singapore; that, as of the time alleged, Nanonoble was 23 identified as the “Developer” of the Hailuo AI app on the Apple App Store; that 24 Nanonoble receives payments for subscriptions to the Hailuo AI tool purchased 25 through the website; and that Nanonoble filed the U.S. trademark application for the 26 mark “Hailuo” attached as Exhibit F to the Complaint. To the extent Paragraph 34 27 purports to characterize that application, the application speaks for itself. 28 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 34. 9 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 10 of 60 Page ID #:1310 1 Jurisdiction and Venue 2 35. Paragraph 35 states a legal conclusion that requires no response. To the 3 extent a response is required, Defendants do not contest subject-matter jurisdiction 4 for purposes of this action, and deny the remaining allegations in Paragraph 35. 5 36. Paragraph 36 and its subparagraphs state legal conclusions concerning 6 personal jurisdiction, purposeful direction, and purposeful availment that require no 7 response. To the extent a response is required, the defendant named in the 8 Complaint as “MiniMax” has been dismissed from this action. Defendants do not 9 respond to allegations directed solely at that dismissed party. SXJT denies that this 10 Court has personal jurisdiction over SXJT, denies that it purposefully directed suit- 11 related activity at or purposefully availed itself of the United States, California, or 12 this District in a manner sufficient to support personal jurisdiction, and expressly 13 preserves and does not waive its defense of lack of personal jurisdiction. Solely for 14 purposes of this action, Nanonoble does not contest personal jurisdiction in this 15 District. Defendants otherwise deny the allegations in Paragraph 36. Defendants 16 respond to the subparagraphs as follows: 17 (a) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 18 Defendants admit that Nanonoble has made the Hailuo AI app available in the 19 United States through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 20 Defendants deny that such availability constitutes consent to personal 21 jurisdiction in California or to application of any particular law. Defendants 22 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 36(a). 23 (b) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 24 Defendants admit that Nanonoble has offered paid subscriptions and in-app 25 purchases to customers in the United States and that certain prices have been 26 displayed in U.S. dollars. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 27 characterizations in Paragraph 36(b). 28 10 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 11 of 60 Page ID #:1311 1 (c) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 2 Defendants admit that Nanonoble has made the Hailuo AI tool accessible to 3 users in the United States through the English-language website 4 hailuoai.video, and that the domain has been registered using the services of 5 GoDaddy.com, LLC and Domains By Proxy, LLC. Defendants lack 6 knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to where 7 GoDaddy.com, LLC or Domains By Proxy, LLC is registered to do business 8 or maintains offices, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 9 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 36(c). 10 (d) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 11 To the extent Paragraph 36(d) purports to characterize or excerpt the Terms of 12 Service for the Hailuo AI tool, those terms speak for themselves. Defendants 13 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 36(d). 14 (e) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 15 Defendants admit that Nanonoble uses Cloudflare content-delivery-network 16 services for the website for the Hailuo AI tool. Defendants lack knowledge or 17 information sufficient to form a belief as to where Cloudflare, Inc. is 18 incorporated or headquartered, or whether particular files requested or viewed 19 by users or visitors were cached on servers in any particular location, and on 20 that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations 21 and characterizations in Paragraph 36(e). 22 (f) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 23 Defendants admit that Nanonoble has allowed users to sign up for the website 24 for the Hailuo AI tool using an existing Google or Apple account, that 25 Nanonoble has allowed customers in the United States to pay in U.S. dollars 26 for subscriptions or credits, and that Nanonoble has used Stripe, Inc. as a 27 payment processor for purchases by customers in the United States. 28 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 11 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 12 of 60 Page ID #:1312 1 where Stripe, Inc. is incorporated or headquartered, and on that basis deny 2 those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 3 characterizations in Paragraph 36(f). 4 (g) Defendants admit that Nanonoble filed the U.S. trademark 5 application for the mark “Hailuo” and SXJT filed the U.S. trademark 6 application for the mark “MiniMax” as alleged in the Complaint. To the 7 extent Paragraph 36(g) purports to characterize or excerpt those trademark 8 applications, the applications speak for themselves. Defendants deny the 9 remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 36(g). 10 (h) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 11 To the extent Paragraph 36(h) purports to characterize or excerpt the Terms of 12 Service for the Hailuo AI tool, those terms speak for themselves. Defendants 13 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 36(h). 14 (i) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 15 Defendants admit that Nanonoble has social-media accounts associated with 16 the Hailuo AI tool. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 17 characterizations in Paragraph 36(i). 18 (j) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 19 Defendants admit that Nanonoble co-hosted a generative AI meetup in March 20 2025. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief 21 as to where fal.ai is based, and on that basis deny those allegations. 22 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 23 Paragraph 36(j). 24 (k) Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 25 Defendants admit that Nanonoble has previously used the phrase quoted in 26 Paragraph 36(k). Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 27 characterizations in Paragraph 36(k). 28 12 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 13 of 60 Page ID #:1313 1 (l) Paragraph 36(l) states legal conclusions that require no response. 2 To the extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in 3 Paragraph 36(l). 4 (m) Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in 5 Paragraph 36(m). 6 37. Paragraph 37 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 7 extent a response is required, solely for purposes of this action, Defendants do not 8 contest venue in this District, subject to SXJT’s objection to personal jurisdiction 9 over it. Defendants deny the remaining allegations in Paragraph 37. 10 Factual Background 11 38. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 12 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 38, and on that basis deny them. 13 39. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 39, and on that basis deny them. 15 40. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 16 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 40, and on that basis deny them. 17 41. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 41, and on that basis deny them. 19 42. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 20 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 42, and on that basis deny them. 21 43. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 43, and on that basis deny them. 23 44. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 24 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 44, and on that basis deny them. 25 45. Paragraph 45 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 26 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 27 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 45, and on that basis 28 deny them. 13 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 14 of 60 Page ID #:1314 1 46. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 46, and on that basis deny them. 3 47. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 4 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 47, and on that basis deny them. 5 48. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 48, and on that basis deny them. 7 49. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 8 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 49, and on that basis deny them. 9 50. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 50, and on that basis deny them. 11 51. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 12 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 51, and on that basis deny them. 13 52. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 52, and on that basis deny them. 15 53. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 16 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 53, and on that basis deny them. 17 54. Paragraph 54 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 18 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 19 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 54, and on that basis 20 deny them. 21 55. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 55, and on that basis deny them. 23 56. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 24 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 56, and on that basis deny them. 25 57. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 57, and on that basis deny them. 27 58. Paragraph 58 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 28 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 14 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 15 of 60 Page ID #:1315 1 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 58, and on that basis 2 deny them. 3 59. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 4 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 59, and on that basis deny them. 5 60. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 60, and on that basis deny them. 7 61. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 8 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 61, and on that basis deny them. 9 62. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 62, and on that basis deny them. 11 63. Paragraph 63 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 12 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 13 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 63, and on that basis 14 deny them. 15 64. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 16 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 64, and on that basis deny them. 17 65. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 65, and on that basis deny them. 19 66. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 20 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 66, and on that basis deny them. 21 67. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 67, and on that basis deny them. 23 68. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 24 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 68, and on that basis deny them. 25 69. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 69, and on that basis deny them. 27 70. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 28 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 70, and on that basis deny them. 15 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 16 of 60 Page ID #:1316 1 71. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 71, and on that basis deny them. 3 72. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 4 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 72, and on that basis deny them. 5 73. Paragraph 73 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 6 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 7 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 73, and on that basis 8 deny them. 9 74. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 74, and on that basis deny them. 11 75. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 12 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 75, and on that basis deny them. 13 76. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 76, and on that basis deny them. 15 77. Paragraph 77 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 16 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 17 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 77, and on that basis 18 deny them. 19 78. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 20 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 78, and on that basis deny them. 21 79. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 79, and on that basis deny them. 23 80. Paragraph 80 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 24 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 25 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 80, and on that basis 26 deny them. 27 81. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 28 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 81, and on that basis deny them. 16 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 17 of 60 Page ID #:1317 1 82. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 82, and on that basis deny them. 3 83. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 4 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 83, and on that basis deny them. 5 84. Paragraph 84 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 6 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 7 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 84, and on that basis 8 deny them. 9 85. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 85, and on that basis deny them. 11 86. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 12 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 86, and on that basis deny them. 13 87. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 87, and on that basis deny them. 15 88. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 16 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 88, and on that basis deny them. 17 89. Paragraph 89 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 18 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 19 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 89, and on that basis 20 deny them. 21 90. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 90, and on that basis deny them. 23 91. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 24 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 91, and on that basis deny them. 25 92. Paragraph 92 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 26 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 27 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 92, and on that basis 28 deny them. 17 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 18 of 60 Page ID #:1318 1 93. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 93, and on that basis deny them. 3 94. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 4 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 94, and on that basis deny them. 5 95. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 95, and on that basis deny them. 7 96. Paragraph 96 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 8 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 9 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 96, and on that basis 10 deny them. 11 97. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 12 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 97, and on that basis deny them. 13 98. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 98, and on that basis deny them. 15 99. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 16 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 99, and on that basis deny them. 17 100. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 100, and on that basis deny them. 19 101. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 20 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 101, and on that basis deny them. 21 102. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 102, and on that basis deny them. 23 103. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 24 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 103, and on that basis deny them. 25 104. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 104, and on that basis deny them. 27 105. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 28 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 105, and on that basis deny them. 18 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 19 of 60 Page ID #:1319 1 106. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 106, and on that basis deny them. 3 107. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 4 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 107, and on that basis deny them. 5 108. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 108, and on that basis deny them. 7 109. Paragraph 109 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 8 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 9 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 109, and on that basis 10 deny them. 11 110. The defendant named in the Complaint as “MiniMax” has been 12 dismissed from this action. Defendants do not respond to allegations directed solely 13 at that dismissed party. To the extent a response is required, Defendants admit that 14 Nanonoble has made the Hailuo AI tool available as an online generative AI service. 15 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the 16 Studios’ knowledge, the public reports referenced in Paragraph 110 and footnotes 2 17 and 3 to the Complaint, or the truth of the remaining allegations and 18 characterizations in Paragraph 110, and on that basis deny those allegations. 19 111. Defendants admit that Nanonoble has offered subscription plans for the 20 Hailuo AI tool through the website hailuoai.video. To the extent Paragraph 111 21 purports to characterize or screenshot the subscription page for the Hailuo AI tool, 22 the subscription page speaks for itself. Defendants deny the remaining allegations 23 and characterizations in Paragraph 111. 24 112. Defendants admit that, as of the time alleged, Nanonoble offered paid 25 subscription plans for the Hailuo AI tool with prices displayed in U.S. dollars. To 26 the extent Paragraph 112 purports to characterize the pricing or discounts displayed 27 on the subscription page for the Hailuo AI tool, the subscription page speaks for 28 19 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 20 of 60 Page ID #:1320 1 itself. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 2 Paragraph 112. 3 113. Defendants admit that Nanonoble has offered a free subscription tier 4 for the Hailuo AI tool that requires registration and provides a limited number of 5 credits, that image and video generation uses credits, that certain outputs generated 6 using the Hailuo AI tool may include a watermark, and that certain paid subscribers 7 may have the option to remove watermarks. To the extent Paragraph 113 purports 8 to characterize the subscription page, credit usage, watermark options, or the “Max” 9 plan for the Hailuo AI tool, the subscription page speaks for itself. Defendants deny 10 the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 113. 11 114. Defendants admit that Nanonoble has offered paid subscription plans 12 for the Hailuo AI tool that provide additional credits, the ability to process multiple 13 generations concurrently, and the option to remove watermarks from certain outputs. 14 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 114. 15 115. Defendants admit that the website for the Hailuo AI tool includes an 16 “Explore” page and that the Explore page may display images and videos associated 17 with user activity on the Hailuo AI tool. Paragraph 115 states legal conclusions 18 concerning public display and public performance that require no response. To the 19 extent a further response is required, Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 20 characterizations in Paragraph 115. 21 116. Paragraph 116 states legal conclusions concerning alleged copying, 22 storage, public display, public performance, distribution, derivative works, and 23 infringement that require no response. To the extent a response is required, 24 Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 116. 25 117. Paragraph 117 states legal conclusions and argument concerning 26 alleged infringement that require no response. To the extent a response is required, 27 Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 117. 28 20 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 21 of 60 Page ID #:1321 1 118. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 3 characters referenced in Paragraph 118, and on that basis deny those allegations. 4 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 118. 5 119. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 7 characters referenced in Paragraph 119, and on that basis deny those allegations. 8 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 119. 9 120. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 11 character referenced in Paragraph 120, and on that basis deny those allegations. 12 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 120. 13 121. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 15 characters referenced in Paragraph 121, and on that basis deny those allegations. 16 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 121. 17 122. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 19 character referenced in Paragraph 122, and on that basis deny those allegations. 20 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 122. 21 123. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 23 characters referenced in Paragraph 123, and on that basis deny those allegations. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 123. 25 124. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 27 characters referenced in Paragraph 124, and on that basis deny those allegations. 28 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 124. 21 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 22 of 60 Page ID #:1322 1 125. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 3 character referenced in Paragraph 125, and on that basis deny those allegations. 4 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 125. 5 126. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 7 character referenced in Paragraph 126, and on that basis deny those allegations. 8 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 126. 9 127. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 11 character referenced in Paragraph 127, and on that basis deny those allegations. 12 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 127. 13 128. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 15 character referenced in Paragraph 128, and on that basis deny those allegations. 16 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 128. 17 129. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 19 character referenced in Paragraph 129, and on that basis deny those allegations. 20 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 129. 21 130. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 23 character referenced in Paragraph 130, and on that basis deny those allegations. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 130. 25 131. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 27 character referenced in Paragraph 131, and on that basis deny those allegations. 28 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 131. 22 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 23 of 60 Page ID #:1323 1 132. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 3 character referenced in Paragraph 132, and on that basis deny those allegations. 4 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 132. 5 133. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 7 character referenced in Paragraph 133, and on that basis deny those allegations. 8 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 133. 9 134. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 11 characters referenced in Paragraph 134, and on that basis deny those allegations. 12 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 134. 13 135. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 15 character referenced in Paragraph 135, and on that basis deny those allegations. 16 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 135. 17 136. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 19 character referenced in Paragraph 136, and on that basis deny those allegations. 20 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 136. 21 137. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 23 characters referenced in Paragraph 137, and on that basis deny those allegations. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 137. 25 138. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 27 characters referenced in Paragraph 138, and on that basis deny those allegations. 28 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 138. 23 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 24 of 60 Page ID #:1324 1 139. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 3 characters referenced in Paragraph 139, and on that basis deny those allegations. 4 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 139. 5 140. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 7 character referenced in Paragraph 140, and on that basis deny those allegations. 8 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 140. 9 141. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 11 character referenced in Paragraph 141, and on that basis deny those allegations. 12 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 141. 13 142. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 15 character referenced in Paragraph 142, and on that basis deny those allegations. 16 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 142. 17 143. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 19 character referenced in Paragraph 143, and on that basis deny those allegations. 20 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 143. 21 144. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 23 character referenced in Paragraph 144, and on that basis deny those allegations. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 144. 25 145. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 27 characters referenced in Paragraph 145, and on that basis deny those allegations. 28 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 145. 24 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 25 of 60 Page ID #:1325 1 146. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 3 character referenced in Paragraph 146, and on that basis deny those allegations. 4 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 146. 5 147. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 7 character referenced in Paragraph 147, and on that basis deny those allegations. 8 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 147. 9 148. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 11 characters referenced in Paragraph 148, and on that basis deny those allegations. 12 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 148. 13 149. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 15 characters referenced in Paragraph 149, and on that basis deny those allegations. 16 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 149. 17 150. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 19 character referenced in Paragraph 150, and on that basis deny those allegations. 20 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 150. 21 151. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 23 characters referenced in Paragraph 151, and on that basis deny those allegations. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 151. 25 152. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 27 characters referenced in Paragraph 152, and on that basis deny those allegations. 28 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 152. 25 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 26 of 60 Page ID #:1326 1 153. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 2 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 3 characters referenced in Paragraph 153, and on that basis deny those allegations. 4 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 153. 5 154. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 6 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 7 characters referenced in Paragraph 154, and on that basis deny those allegations. 8 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 154. 9 155. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 10 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 11 character referenced in Paragraph 155, and on that basis deny those allegations. 12 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 155. 13 156. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 15 character referenced in Paragraph 156, and on that basis deny those allegations. 16 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 156. 17 157. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 18 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 19 characters referenced in Paragraph 157, and on that basis deny those allegations. 20 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 157. 21 158. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 23 character referenced in Paragraph 158, and on that basis deny those allegations. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 158. 25 159. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 26 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 27 characters referenced in Paragraph 159, and on that basis deny those allegations. 28 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 159. 26 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 27 of 60 Page ID #:1327 1 160. Paragraph 160 states legal conclusions concerning copying and 2 infringement that require no response. To the extent a response is required, 3 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the 4 Studios’ purported ownership of particular works, and on that basis deny those 5 allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 6 Paragraph 160. 7 161. Paragraph 161 states legal conclusions concerning alleged copying, 8 fixation, and infringement that require no response. To the extent a response is 9 required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 10 the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works, and on that basis deny those 11 allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 12 Paragraph 161. 13 162. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 14 to the Studios’ beliefs about Defendants’ conduct, and on that basis deny those 15 allegations. Defendants respond to the subparagraphs as follows: 16 (a) Defendants admit that SXJT acquired content from public 17 sources and data providers to train certain models associated with the Hailuo 18 AI tool. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief 19 as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works allegedly included 20 in the acquired materials, or as to the Studios’ characterizations of the tools or 21 methods that the Studios describe as to those works, and on that basis deny 22 those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 23 characterizations in Paragraph 162(a). 24 (b) Defendants admit that SXJT processed certain data for use in 25 training certain models associated with the Hailuo AI tool. Defendants lack 26 knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ 27 characterizations of data processing or the Studios’ purported ownership of 28 particular works allegedly included in that data, and on that basis deny those 27 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 28 of 60 Page ID #:1328 1 allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations 2 in Paragraph 162(b). 3 (c) Defendants admit that SXJT used certain data to train certain 4 models associated with the Hailuo AI tool, and that certain specifics of this 5 process have not been publicly disclosed. To the extent Paragraph 162(c) 6 purports to characterize the terms of use for the Hailuo AI tool, those terms 7 speak for themselves. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to 8 form a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works 9 allegedly included in or associated with that data, and on that basis deny those 10 allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations 11 in Paragraph 162(c). 12 163. Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 163. 13 164. Paragraph 164 states legal conclusions concerning alleged infringement 14 that require no response. To the extent a response is required, Defendants deny 15 infringing any copyright purportedly owned or controlled by the Studios. 16 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth 17 of the remaining factual allegations and argument in Paragraph 164, and on that 18 basis deny them. 19 165. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in 20 Paragraph 165. 21 166. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 22 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in 23 characters referenced in Paragraph 166, and on that basis deny those allegations. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 166. 25 167. Defendants admit that the website for the Hailuo AI tool includes an 26 Explore page and that certain official social-media accounts associated with the 27 Hailuo AI tool exist. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 28 belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights 28 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 29 of 60 Page ID #:1329 1 in characters as alleged in Paragraph 167, and on that basis deny those allegations. 2 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 167. 3 168. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 4 to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted exclusive rights 5 referenced in Paragraph 168, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 6 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 168. 7 169. Defendants admit that Nanonoble maintains an official YouTube 8 account and that videos have been uploaded to that account. To the extent 9 Paragraph 169 purports to characterize or excerpt the video linked in footnote 5 to 10 the Complaint, that video speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or 11 information sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of 12 particular works or asserted rights in characters referenced in Paragraph 169, and on 13 that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 14 characterizations in Paragraph 169. 15 170. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 6 to the 16 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @neovisionary5. To the 17 extent Paragraph 170 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 18 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 19 belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights 20 in characters referenced in Paragraph 170, and on that basis deny those allegations. 21 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 170. 22 171. To the extent Paragraph 171 purports to characterize or screenshot the 23 Instagram post linked in footnote 6 to the Complaint, that post speaks for itself. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 171. 25 172. To the extent Paragraph 172 purports to characterize or screenshot the 26 Instagram post linked in footnote 6 to the Complaint, that post speaks for itself. 27 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the 28 Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in characters 29 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 30 of 60 Page ID #:1330 1 referenced in Paragraph 172, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 2 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 172. 3 173. To the extent Paragraph 173 purports to characterize or screenshot the 4 Instagram post linked in footnote 6 to the Complaint, that post speaks for itself. 5 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the 6 Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in characters 7 referenced in Paragraph 173, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 8 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 173. 9 174. Defendants admit that WeChat is available in app stores in the United 10 States. Defendants admit that the WeChat post referenced in Paragraph 174 11 previously appeared on an official WeChat account associated with the Hailuo AI 12 tool. To the extent Paragraph 174 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, 13 the post speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to 14 form a belief as to whether the referenced post was accessed in this District, or as to 15 the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in characters 16 referenced in Paragraph 174, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 17 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 174. 18 175. Defendants admit that the TikTok post linked in footnote 7 to the 19 Complaint previously appeared on TikTok account @hailuoai_official and that 20 @hailuoai_official is an official TikTok account. To the extent Paragraph 175 21 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for itself. 22 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to whether a 23 user generated the content depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or any 24 model associated with it, as to the alleged view or like counts, or as to the Studios’ 25 purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the character 26 referenced in Paragraph 175, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 27 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 175. 28 30 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 31 of 60 Page ID #:1331 1 176. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 8 to the 2 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @neovisionary5. To the 3 extent Paragraph 176 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 4 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 5 belief as to whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the 6 Hailuo AI tool or any model associated with it, or as to the Studios’ purported 7 ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the character referenced in 8 Paragraph 176, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the 9 remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 176. 10 177. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 9 to the 11 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @fata_morgana_ai. To the 12 extent Paragraph 177 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 13 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 14 belief as to whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the 15 Hailuo AI tool or any model associated with it, or as to the Studios’ purported 16 ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the character referenced in 17 Paragraph 177, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the 18 remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 177. 19 178. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 10 to the 20 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @k.real_petrov. To the extent 21 Paragraph 178 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for 22 itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 23 whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or 24 any model associated with it, or as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular 25 works or asserted rights in characters referenced in Paragraph 178, and on that basis 26 deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 27 characterizations in Paragraph 178. 28 31 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 32 of 60 Page ID #:1332 1 179. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 11 to the 2 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @insertitle99. To the extent 3 Paragraph 179 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for 4 itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 5 whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or 6 any model associated with it, as to the alleged number of likes, or as to the Studios’ 7 purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the character 8 referenced in Paragraph 179, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 9 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 179. 10 180. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 12 to the 11 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @chillgrid. To the extent 12 Paragraph 180 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for 13 itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 14 whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or 15 any model associated with it, as to the alleged number of likes, or as to the Studios’ 16 purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the character 17 referenced in Paragraph 180, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 18 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 180. 19 181. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 13 to the 20 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @maitane140_aiart. To the 21 extent Paragraph 181 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 22 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 23 belief as to whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the 24 Hailuo AI tool or any model associated with it, or as to the Studios’ purported 25 ownership of particular works or asserted rights in characters referenced in 26 Paragraph 181, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the 27 remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 181. 28 32 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 33 of 60 Page ID #:1333 1 182. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 14 to the 2 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @i3ladimir.neiro. To the 3 extent Paragraph 182 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 4 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 5 belief as to whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the 6 Hailuo AI tool or any model associated with it, as to the alleged number of likes, or 7 as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in 8 characters referenced in Paragraph 182, and on that basis deny those allegations. 9 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 182. 10 183. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 15 to the 11 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @max.sh_lab. To the extent 12 Paragraph 183 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for 13 itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 14 whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or 15 any model associated with it, or as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular 16 works or asserted rights in characters referenced in Paragraph 183, and on that basis 17 deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 18 characterizations in Paragraph 183. 19 184. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 16 to the 20 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @i3ladimir.neiro. To the 21 extent Paragraph 184 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 22 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 23 belief as to whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the 24 Hailuo AI tool or any model associated with it, as to the alleged number of likes, or 25 as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in 26 characters referenced in Paragraph 184, and on that basis deny those allegations. 27 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 184. 28 33 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 34 of 60 Page ID #:1334 1 185. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 17 to the 2 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @aimationlab8. To the extent 3 Paragraph 185 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for 4 itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 5 whether a user generated the content depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or 6 any model associated with it, or as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular 7 works or asserted rights in characters referenced in Paragraph 185, and on that basis 8 deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 9 characterizations in Paragraph 185. 10 186. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 18 to the 11 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @neovisionary5. To the 12 extent Paragraph 186 purports to characterize that post, the post speaks for itself. 13 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the 14 Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the character 15 referenced in Paragraph 186, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 16 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 186. 17 187. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 19 to the 18 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @aimationlab8. To the extent 19 Paragraph 187 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for 20 itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 21 the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in characters 22 referenced in Paragraph 187, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 23 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 187. 24 188. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in 25 Paragraph 188. 26 189. Defendants admit that the website for the Hailuo AI tool includes an 27 “Explore” page. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 28 belief as to whether the images depicted in Paragraph 189 are true and correct 34 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 35 of 60 Page ID #:1335 1 screenshots of the website for the Hailuo AI tool, and on that basis deny those 2 allegations. To the extent Paragraph 189 purports to characterize or screenshot the 3 Explore page, the Explore page speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or 4 information sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ purported ownership of 5 particular works or asserted rights in characters referenced in Paragraph 189, and on 6 that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 7 characterizations in Paragraph 189. 8 190. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in 9 Paragraph 190. 10 191. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in 11 Paragraph 191. 12 192. Defendants admit that certain outputs generated using the Hailuo AI 13 tool may bear watermarks associated with the Hailuo AI or MiniMax brands, and 14 that certain paid users may have the option to remove watermarks. Defendants lack 15 knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ purported 16 ownership of particular works allegedly reflected in such content, and on that basis 17 deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 18 characterizations in Paragraph 192. 19 193. Defendants admit that the Explore page for the Hailuo AI tool may 20 display prompts associated with certain content displayed on that page. Defendants 21 lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the Studios’ 22 purported ownership of particular works referenced in Paragraph 193, and on that 23 basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 24 characterizations in Paragraph 193. 25 194. Defendants admit that the Reddit post linked in footnote 20 to the 26 Complaint appeared on the Reddit account identified in that footnote. To the extent 27 Paragraph 194 purports to characterize or screenshot that Reddit post, the post 28 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 35 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 36 of 60 Page ID #:1336 1 belief as to the truth of the allegations concerning the Reddit user or post identified 2 in footnote 20 to the Complaint, as to other Reddit threads and online posts, or as to 3 the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 4 character referenced in Paragraph 194, and on that basis deny those allegations. 5 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 194. 6 195. Defendants admit that the TikTok post linked in footnote 21 to the 7 Complaint appeared on the TikTok account identified in that footnote. To the extent 8 Paragraph 195 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for 9 itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 10 whether the poster was a Hailuo AI subscriber, whether a user generated the content 11 depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or any model associated with it, as to 12 the alleged number of likes, or as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular 13 works or asserted rights in the character referenced in Paragraph 195, and on that 14 basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 15 characterizations in Paragraph 195. 16 196. Defendants admit that the Instagram post linked in footnote 22 to the 17 Complaint previously appeared on Instagram account @aimationlab8. To the extent 18 Paragraph 196 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post speaks for 19 itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to 20 whether the poster was a Hailuo AI subscriber, whether a user generated the content 21 depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or any model associated with it, or as to 22 the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the 23 character referenced in Paragraph 196, and on that basis deny those allegations. 24 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 196. 25 197. Defendants admit that the YouTube post linked in footnote 23 to the 26 Complaint appeared on the YouTube account identified in that footnote. To the 27 extent Paragraph 197 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 28 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 36 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 37 of 60 Page ID #:1337 1 belief as to the alleged number of YouTube subscribers, or as to the Studios’ 2 purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the character 3 referenced in Paragraph 197, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 4 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 197. 5 198. Defendants admit that the TikTok post linked in footnote 24 to the 6 Complaint previously appeared on the TikTok account identified in that footnote. 7 To the extent Paragraph 198 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 8 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 9 belief as to whether the poster was a Hailuo AI subscriber, whether a user generated 10 the content depicted in the post using the Hailuo AI tool or any model associated 11 with it, or as to the Studios’ purported ownership of particular works or asserted 12 rights in characters referenced in Paragraph 198, and on that basis deny those 13 allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 14 Paragraph 198. 15 199. Defendants admit that the TikTok post linked in footnote 25 to the 16 Complaint previously appeared on the TikTok account identified in that footnote. 17 To the extent Paragraph 199 purports to characterize or screenshot that post, the post 18 speaks for itself. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a 19 belief as to whether the poster was a Hailuo AI subscriber, or as to the Studios’ 20 purported ownership of particular works or asserted rights in the character 21 referenced in Paragraph 199, and on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants 22 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 199. 23 200. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in 24 Paragraph 200. 25 201. Paragraph 201 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 26 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 201. 27 202. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 28 to the practices of other, unidentified AI services referenced in Paragraph 202, and 37 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 38 of 60 Page ID #:1338 1 on that basis deny those allegations. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 2 characterizations in Paragraph 202. 3 203. Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 203. 4 204. Defendants admit that Nanonoble’s Hailuo AI tool includes content- 5 moderation measures that may block prompts seeking to generate violent or sexually 6 explicit content and that the Hailuo AI tool may return a message stating that a 7 generation failed because content violated community guidelines. Defendants deny 8 the remaining allegations in Paragraph 204. 9 205. To the extent Paragraph 205 purports to quote from or characterize the 10 Terms of Service for the Hailuo AI tool, those terms speak for themselves. 11 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 205. 12 206. Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 13 Defendants admit that Nanonoble’s Hailuo AI tool includes a Prompt Optimizer 14 feature. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 15 Paragraph 206. 16 207. Paragraph 207 states legal conclusions and arguments that require no 17 response. To the extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in 18 Paragraph 207. 19 208. Defendants admit that the Studios’ counsel sent a letter dated August 20 27, 2025, attached as Exhibit G to the Complaint. To the extent Paragraph 208 21 purports to characterize the letter attached as Exhibit G to the Complaint, that letter 22 speaks for itself. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in 23 Paragraph 208. 24 209. Defendants deny that they failed to respond to the Studios’ counsel’s 25 letter. Defendants state that they responded to the Studios’ counsel in writing on 26 September 12, 2025, requesting a brief extension to evaluate the issues raised in the 27 letter, and the Studios filed this action without responding to Defendants. 28 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 209. 38 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 39 of 60 Page ID #:1339 1 210. Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 210. 2 211. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 3 to the Studios’ licensing and exploitation practices, and on that basis deny the 4 allegations regarding those practices. Defendants deny the remaining allegations 5 and characterizations in Paragraph 211. 6 212. Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as 7 to the Studios’ licensing arrangements with third parties, and on that basis deny the 8 allegations regarding those arrangements. Defendants deny the remaining 9 allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 212. 10 213. Defendants admit that the length of certain video outputs generated 11 using the Hailuo AI tool has increased from six to ten seconds. Defendants deny the 12 remaining allegations, characterizations, and speculation in Paragraph 213. 13 214. Defendants admit that certain outputs generated using the Hailuo AI 14 tool may bear a watermark. Defendants deny the remaining allegations and 15 characterizations in Paragraph 214. 16 215. Paragraph 215 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 17 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 215. 18 First Claim for Relief 19 (Direct Copyright Infringement) 20 216. Defendants incorporate their responses to the preceding paragraphs as 21 though fully set forth here. 22 217. Paragraph 217 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 23 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 24 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 217, and on that basis 25 deny them. 26 218. Paragraph 218 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 27 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 218. 28 39 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 40 of 60 Page ID #:1340 1 219. Paragraph 219 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 2 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 219. 3 220. Paragraph 220 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 4 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 220. 5 221. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in 6 Paragraph 221. 7 222. Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations in 8 Paragraph 222. 9 223. Paragraph 223 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 10 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 223. 11 224. Paragraph 224 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 12 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 224. 13 225. Paragraph 225 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 14 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 225. 15 226. Paragraph 226 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 16 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 226. 17 Second Claim for Relief 18 (Secondary Copyright Infringement) 19 227. Defendants incorporate their responses to the preceding paragraphs as 20 though fully set forth here. 21 228. Paragraph 228 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 22 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations 23 in Paragraph 228. 24 229. Paragraph 229 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 25 extent a response is required, Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient 26 to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 229, and on that basis 27 deny them. 28 40 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 41 of 60 Page ID #:1341 1 230. Paragraph 230 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 2 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 230. 3 231. Paragraph 231 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 4 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 231. 5 232. Paragraph 232 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 6 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 232. 7 233. Paragraph 233 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 8 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 233. 9 234. Paragraph 234 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 10 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 234. 11 235. Paragraph 235 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 12 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 235. 13 236. Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 14 Defendants admit that Nanonoble’s Hailuo AI tool includes content-moderation 15 measures that may block violent or sexually explicit user prompts. To the extent 16 Paragraph 236 purports to characterize practices of unspecified third-party services, 17 Defendants lack knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth 18 of those allegations, and on that basis deny them. Defendants deny the remaining 19 allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 236. 20 237. Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 237. 21 238. Defendants deny the allegations to the extent they concern SXJT. 22 Defendants admit that Nanonoble has offered free and paid subscription tiers for the 23 Hailuo AI tool and that paid tiers may include additional functionality. Defendants 24 deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 238. 25 239. Paragraph 239 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 26 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations and characterizations 27 in Paragraph 239. 28 41 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 42 of 60 Page ID #:1342 1 240. Defendants admit that the Studios’ counsel sent a letter dated August 2 27, 2025, which is attached as Exhibit G to the Complaint. To the extent 3 Paragraph 240 purports to characterize that letter, the letter speaks for itself. 4 Defendants deny the remaining allegations and characterizations in Paragraph 240. 5 241. Paragraph 241 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 6 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 241. 7 242. Paragraph 242 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 8 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 242. 9 243. Paragraph 243 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 10 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 243. 11 244. Paragraph 244 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 12 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 244. 13 245. Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 245. 14 246. Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 246. 15 247. Paragraph 247 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 16 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 247. 17 248. Paragraph 248 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 18 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 248. 19 249. Paragraph 249 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 20 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 249. 21 250. Paragraph 250 states legal conclusions that require no response. To the 22 extent a response is required, Defendants deny the allegations in Paragraph 250. 23 Response to Prayer for Relief 24 Defendants deny that the Studios are entitled to any relief requested in the 25 Prayer for Relief, including the relief requested in Paragraphs 1 through 6, or to any 26 relief whatsoever. Defendants request that the Court award them their attorneys’ 27 fees and costs of suit, to the extent allowed by law. 28 42 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 43 of 60 Page ID #:1343 1 AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES 2 Without assuming any burden of proof that properly rests with the Studios, 3 and without conceding that any matter below is an affirmative defense on which 4 Defendants bear the burden of proof, Defendants assert the following defenses: 5 First Affirmative Defense 6 (Lack of Personal Jurisdiction) 7 The Studios’ claims against SXJT fail, in whole or in part, for lack of 8 personal jurisdiction. SXJT lacks the minimum contacts with the United States 9 required under Rule 4(k)(2). 10 Second Affirmative Defense 11 (Fair Use) 12 The Studios’ claims fail, in whole or in part, to the extent that any alleged 13 copying or other alleged infringement of rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106 by 14 Defendants, or by users of the Hailuo AI tool for which the Studios seek to hold 15 Defendants liable, constitutes fair use under 17 U.S.C. § 107 and applicable 16 caselaw. 17 Third Affirmative Defense 18 (Invalid or Insufficient Registration) 19 The Studios’ claims fail, in whole or in part, to the extent that the copyright 20 registrations purporting to cover some or all of the works at issue are invalid or 21 insufficient, do not encompass the works, characters, or expression the Studios 22 assert, and because the Studios have not satisfied the registration prerequisites of 17 23 U.S.C. §§ 411-412. 24 Fourth Affirmative Defense 25 (Extraterritoriality) 26 The Studios’ claims fail, in whole or in part, to the extent they rest on conduct 27 that occurred outside the United States and beyond the territorial reach of the U.S. 28 43 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 44 of 60 Page ID #:1344 1 Copyright Act, including the acquisition and processing of data and the development 2 and training of the models associated with the Hailuo AI tool. 3 Fifth Affirmative Defense 4 (License) 5 The Studios’ claims fail, in whole or in part, to the extent that any challenged 6 use occurred with express or implied license, consent, permission, or other 7 authorization from the Studios, their agents, their licensees, or any other person or 8 entity with authority to grant permission. 9 Sixth Affirmative Defense 10 (Waiver, Estoppel, and Acquiescence) 11 The Studios’ claims fail, in whole or in part, under one or more equitable 12 doctrines, including laches, waiver, acquiescence, estoppel, abandonment, and 13 forfeiture, including because the outputs the Studios allege to be infringing were 14 created, elicited, or made available by the Studios or their agents. 15 Seventh Affirmative Defense 16 (Unclean Hands) 17 The Studios’ claims fail, in whole or in part, under the doctrine of unclean 18 hands, including because the Studios and their agents themselves generated the 19 output examples depicted in the Complaint, engineered and publicized those 20 examples to manufacture the appearance of infringement, and now invoke them to 21 restrict activity that does not implicate any exclusive right under 17 U.S.C. § 106. 22 The Studios’ claims also fail, in whole or in part, because, on information and belief, 23 the Studios or their affiliates have themselves developed, trained, used, licensed, 24 promoted, or benefited from generative-AI tools and technologies, including tools 25 and technologies trained on or using publicly available works, some of which are 26 protected by copyrights owned by third parties. It would be inequitable for the 27 Studios to benefit from the development and use of generative-AI tools and 28 44 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 45 of 60 Page ID #:1345 1 technologies while seeking to prevent Defendants and others from developing or 2 using such tools. 3 Eighth Affirmative Defense 4 (De Minimis Use) 5 The Studios’ claims fail, in whole or in part, to the extent any copying of the 6 Studios’ protectable expression, whether in developing, training, or operating the 7 Hailuo AI tool, was de minimis and not actionable. 8 Ninth Affirmative Defense 9 (Contractual Limitations) 10 The Studios’ claims against Nanonoble fail, in whole or in part, under the 11 Terms of Use’s limitation on the time to file claims, which requires that any cause of 12 action or claim arising out of or relating to the Terms of Use or the website for the 13 Hailuo AI tool be commenced within one year after it accrues. 14 Tenth Affirmative Defense 15 (Setoff, Recoupment, and Contractual Obligations) 16 The Studios’ claims against Nanonoble fail, in whole or in part, and any 17 recovery against Nanonoble is barred, offset, or reduced by setoff, recoupment, and 18 the indemnification and related obligations that the Studios assumed through their 19 agents under the Terms of Use, to the extent the Studios’ claims or requested relief 20 arise from their agents’ use of the Hailuo AI tool. 21 Eleventh Affirmative Defense 22 (Innocent Infringement) 23 The Studios’ claims for statutory damages fail, in whole or in part, to the 24 extent that 17 U.S.C. § 504(c)(2) limits any award of statutory damages because 25 Defendants did not know and had no reason to believe that their acts constituted 26 infringement. Defendants had and continue to have a reasonable, good-faith belief 27 that their conduct constitutes fair use and does not infringe any asserted right, and 28 any award of statutory damages should accordingly be reduced. 45 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 46 of 60 Page ID #:1346 1 Twelfth Affirmative Defense 2 (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) 3 The Studios’ claims are barred, limited, or otherwise fail, in whole or in part, 4 to the extent that Defendants qualify for the limitations on liability codified in 17 5 U.S.C. § 512, including because the Studios failed to provide adequate notice of 6 specific alleged infringements and otherwise failed to satisfy the requirements of the 7 Digital Millennium Copyright Act. 8 Thirteenth Affirmative Defense 9 (Limitations on Statutory Damages) 10 The Studios’ claims for enhanced statutory damages, multiple statutory- 11 damages awards, or other statutory damages fail, in whole or in part, to the extent 12 that 17 U.S.C. § 504(c), the absence of willful infringement, due process, the 13 prohibition on unconstitutional penalties, or other applicable law precludes or limits 14 such relief. 15 Reservation of Additional Defenses 16 Defendants’ investigation of the Studios’ claims and Defendants’ defenses is 17 ongoing. Defendants reserve the right to seek leave to amend or supplement this 18 Answer and their defenses as permitted by applicable law. 19 DEFENDANTS’ PRAYER FOR RELIEF 20 WHEREFORE, Defendants respectfully request that the Court enter judgment 21 in their favor and against the Studios as follows: 22 1. Dismissing the Complaint with prejudice; 23 2. Denying the Studios all requested relief; 24 3. Awarding Defendants their costs and, to the extent authorized by law, 25 reasonable attorneys’ fees, including under 17 U.S.C. § 505; and 26 4. Granting such other and further relief as the Court deems just and 27 proper. 28 46 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 47 of 60 Page ID #:1347 1 NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS 2 Counterclaimant Nanonoble Pte. Ltd. (“Nanonoble”) asserts the following 3 counterclaims against Disney Enterprises, Inc.; Universal City Studios Productions 4 LLLP; Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.; Marvel Characters, Inc.; MVL Film 5 Finance LLC; Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; DC 6 Comics; The Cartoon Network, Inc.; Turner Entertainment Co.; Hanna-Barbera 7 Productions, Inc.; and DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. (collectively, the “Studios”), 8 and alleges as follows: 9 Nature of the Counterclaims 10 1. Since the filing of this lawsuit, Nanonoble has learned that, starting in 11 2024, a coordinated group of the Studios’ attorneys, investigators, or other agents 12 registered for, signed into, and used the Hailuo AI tool to create the 52 video outputs 13 identified in paragraphs 118 through 159 of their Complaint (the “Accused 14 Outputs”). Nanonoble denies that it has liability for any of the Accused Outputs. 15 The Court has not adjudicated that issue. 16 2. Nonetheless, the Studios used the creation of the Accused Outputs as 17 the basis for this lawsuit. Infringing or not, in using the Hailuo AI tool as they did, 18 the Studios and their agents repeatedly violated Nanonoble’s Terms of Use (the 19 “Terms”), as detailed below. One consequence of those violations is that the 20 Studios must indemnify, defend, and hold Nanonoble harmless against the claims 21 the Studios allege in their Complaint. By these counterclaims, Nanonoble seeks to 22 hold the Studios to the bargain their agents accepted—a bargain that binds the 23 Studios whether or not any Accused Output infringes. 24 3. All users who register for, sign into, and use Nanonoble’s video- and 25 image-generation tool, known as the Hailuo AI tool, agree to the Terms. The 26 Studios’ agents were no exception. By registering for, signing into, and using the 27 Hailuo AI tool, the Studios’ agents accepted and became bound by the Terms. 28 47 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 48 of 60 Page ID #:1348 1 4. The Terms impose obligations on all users, including that their prompts 2 and resulting outputs must not infringe intellectual property rights, violate the legal 3 rights of others, contain material that could give rise to civil liability, or violate 4 applicable law. The Terms also prohibit conduct that “may harm the Company . . . 5 or expose [it] to liability,” and require each user to “defend, indemnify, and hold 6 harmless” Nanonoble against any claim “arising out of or relating to” the user’s use 7 of the tool, including prompts, outputs, and information obtained through the tool. 8 5. The Studios directed their agents to generate the Accused Outputs. The 9 Studios’ agents complied. In so doing, the Studios’ agents acted within the scope of 10 their authority and on the Studios’ behalf. The Studios are thus bound by the Terms 11 and responsible for their agents’ conduct in connection with the Hailuo AI tool. 12 6. The Terms require users to defend and indemnify Nanonoble for claims 13 arising out of or relating to that use. That indemnity obligation applies to and 14 includes this lawsuit. The Studios have turned the outputs their agents created—in 15 violation of the Terms—into this lawsuit. Under the Terms, the Studios cannot 16 leave Nanonoble to bear the potential liability and the cost of defending it. 17 The Parties 18 7. Counterclaimant Nanonoble is a private limited company organized 19 under the laws of Singapore. Nanonoble owns and operates the Hailuo AI tool and 20 is the “Company” that contracts with users under the Terms. 21 8. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant Disney Enterprises, 22 Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with its 23 principal place of business in Burbank, California. 24 9. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant Universal City 25 Studios Productions LLLP is a limited liability limited partnership organized under 26 the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place of business in Universal 27 City, California. 28 48 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 49 of 60 Page ID #:1349 1 10. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant Warner Bros. 2 Entertainment Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of 3 Delaware with its principal place of business in Burbank, California. 4 11. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant Marvel Characters, 5 Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with its 6 principal place of business in Burbank, California. 7 12. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant MVL Film Finance 8 LLC is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of 9 Delaware with its principal place of business in Burbank, California. 10 13. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant Lucasfilm Ltd. 11 LLC is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of 12 California with its principal place of business in San Francisco, California. 13 14. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant Twentieth Century 14 Fox Film Corporation is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of 15 Delaware with its principal place of business in Burbank, California. 16 15. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant DC Comics is a 17 New York general partnership with its principal place of business in Burbank, 18 California. 19 16. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant The Cartoon 20 Network, Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware 21 with its principal place of business in Atlanta, Georgia. 22 17. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant Turner 23 Entertainment Co. is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of 24 Delaware with its principal place of business in Burbank, California. 25 18. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant Hanna-Barbera 26 Productions, Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware 27 with its principal place of business in Burbank, California. 28 49 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 50 of 60 Page ID #:1350 1 19. On information and belief, Counterclaim-defendant DreamWorks 2 Animation L.L.C. is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the 3 State of Delaware with its principal place of business in Glendale, California. 4 20. The Studios are represented in this action by Jenner & Block LLP, their 5 counsel of record. In this action, the Studios have acted through Jenner & Block 6 LLP—including attorneys who have appeared as attorneys of record and other 7 attorneys at the firm—and through investigators and other agents engaged by or on 8 behalf of the Studios (collectively, the “Studios’ Agents”). The Studios’ Agents 9 acted at the Studios’ direction and on the Studios’ behalf, within the scope of their 10 authority and engagement, and those acts bind the Studios as their principals. On 11 information and belief, each Studio authorized or ratified the use of the Hailuo AI 12 tool to generate outputs corresponding to the works, characters, or claims that Studio 13 asserts in this action. 14 Jurisdiction and Venue 15 21. This Court has supplemental subject-matter jurisdiction over these 16 counterclaims under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a) because they form part of the same case or 17 controversy as the Studios’ claims, over which the Court has original jurisdiction. 18 22. These counterclaims are compulsory under Rule 13(a) of the Federal 19 Rules of Civil Procedure. The counterclaims arise from the same transaction or 20 occurrence as the Studios’ claims because the Studios base their claims, in part, on 21 outputs that their own agents generated using the Hailuo AI tool. 22 23. The Studios submitted to this Court’s jurisdiction by filing this action. 23 They chose this forum and asserted the claims to which these counterclaims 24 respond. This Court therefore may exercise personal jurisdiction over the Studios, 25 and venue lies in this Court. 26 24. The Terms provide another basis for personal jurisdiction and venue to 27 the extent the Studios are bound by the Terms through their agents. The Terms 28 require any action arising out of or relating to the Terms or the Hailuo AI tool to 50 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 51 of 60 Page ID #:1351 1 proceed “exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of . . . 2 Singapore.” Ex. A, Governing Law and Jurisdiction. The Terms also provide that 3 the user “waive[s] any and all objections to the exercise of jurisdiction over [it] by 4 such courts and to venue in such courts.” Id. This Court is a federal court in the 5 United States. Because the Studios are bound by the Terms through their agents, the 6 Studios consented to this Court’s jurisdiction and to venue here. 7 25. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 44.1, Nanonoble gives notice 8 that it intends to rely on Singapore law. Singapore law governs the Terms and 9 disputes arising out of or relating to them. 10 Factual Allegations Common to Both Counterclaims 11 A. The Hailuo AI Tool Is a General-Purpose Tool With Substantial 12 Non-infringing Uses 13 26. As to any use within the United States, Nanonoble operates the Hailuo 14 AI tool, an artificial-intelligence service that generates images and short videos. A 15 user gives the tool a text or image prompt, and the tool generates an output in 16 response. The user chooses the prompt, the subject matter, and the content 17 requested. 18 27. The Hailuo AI tool is a general-purpose creative tool with substantial 19 non-infringing uses, much like video-editing software or a photocopier. Users can 20 generate a wide range of content with it. 21 B. The Terms of Use for the Hailuo AI Tool 22 28. Nanonoble’s Terms of Use, captioned “Terms of Service,” govern 23 access to and use of the Hailuo AI tool, including through the website 24 hailuoai.video. Nanonoble attaches a copy of the Terms as Exhibit A. 25 29. A user accepts and agrees to be bound by the Terms by using the 26 Hailuo AI tool; a user who does not agree must not access or use the Hailuo AI tool. 27 Ex. A, Acceptance of the Terms of Use. Each user represents that it has legal 28 51 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 52 of 60 Page ID #:1352 1 capacity to enter into a binding contract with Nanonoble. Id. Each user’s account is 2 personal to that user. Ex. A, Accessing the Services and Account Security. 3 30. When a person registers for or signs into the Hailuo AI tool, the sign-in 4 screen offers two options: “Continue with Google” or “Continue with Apple.” 5 Directly below those controls, the screen states: “By signing in, you are agreeing to 6 the Term of Service and Privacy Policy,” with “Term of Service” appearing as an 7 underlined hyperlink to the Terms attached as Exhibit A. A user who signs in 8 through that screen does so on notice that signing in means agreeing to be bound by 9 the Terms. A print-out of the sign-in screen, as it appeared to the Internet Archive’s 10 Wayback Machine on March 2, 2025, is attached as Exhibit B. 11 31. The Terms permit use for personal, non-commercial purposes only and 12 bar users from accessing or using for commercial purposes any part of the Hailuo AI 13 tool or materials available through it. Ex. A, Intellectual Property Rights of the 14 Services. The Terms separately prohibit prompts and outputs that infringe 15 intellectual-property rights, violate the legal rights of others, violate applicable law, 16 or contain material that could give rise to civil liability. Ex. A, Prohibited Uses; 17 Content Standards. 18 32. The Terms allow use only for lawful purposes and in accordance with 19 the Terms. A user agrees not to use the Hailuo AI tool in any way that violates 20 applicable law and not to engage in conduct that, “as determined by [Nanonoble], 21 may harm the Company or users of the Services, or expose [it] to liability.” Ex. A, 22 Prohibited Uses. 23 33. The Content Standards require user-submitted materials and generated 24 outputs to comply with applicable laws and prohibit materials or outputs that 25 infringe intellectual-property rights, violate the legal rights of others, or contain 26 material that could give rise to civil liability. Ex. A, Content Standards. 27 34. The Terms define prompts and other materials submitted through the 28 tool as “User Contributions” and outputs generated according to those instructions 52 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 53 of 60 Page ID #:1353 1 as “User Generated Content.” Ex. A, User Contributions and User Generated 2 Content. The Terms require those prompts, materials, and outputs to comply with 3 the Content Standards. Id. Each user represents and warrants that those materials 4 and outputs comply with the Terms and acknowledges that the user, not Nanonoble, 5 bears “full responsibility for such content, including its legality.” Id. Such 6 materials and outputs must not infringe intellectual-property rights, violate the legal 7 rights of others, or contain material that could give rise to civil liability. Ex. A, 8 Content Standards. 9 35. Each user agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Nanonoble 10 against claims, losses, costs, expenses, and fees, including reasonable attorneys’ 11 fees, arising out of or relating to the user’s violation of the Terms or use of the tool, 12 including prompts, outputs, and information obtained through the tool. Ex. A, 13 Indemnification. 14 36. Nanonoble reserves to itself the right to change the Terms from time to 15 time as it chooses to do so. Ex. A, Changes to the Terms of Use. 16 37. All matters relating to the Hailuo AI tool and the Terms, and any 17 dispute arising from or related to them—including non-contractual disputes—are 18 governed by the internal laws of Singapore. Ex. A, Governing Law and 19 Jurisdiction. 20 38. The Terms are a valid and enforceable contract supported by 21 consideration: Nanonoble provided access to the Hailuo AI tool in exchange for the 22 user’s agreement to the Terms. 23 C. The Studios’ Agents Accepted the Terms and Used the Hailuo AI 24 Tool 25 39. The Studios’ Agents generated the Accused Outputs through their own 26 use of the Hailuo AI tool. To generate the Accused Outputs, the Studios’ Agents 27 registered for or signed into the Hailuo AI tool. The sign-in screen informed users 28 53 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 54 of 60 Page ID #:1354 1 that signing in meant agreeing to the Terms, and each user accepted the Terms by 2 signing in and using the tool. 3 40. Through their use of the Hailuo AI tool, the Studios’ Agents created 4 many of the Accused Outputs, including dozens of the video outputs shown in the 5 Complaint. 6 41. The Studios’ Agents acted in a coordinated and systematic way, using 7 the Hailuo AI tool to generate outputs associated with different Studios, characters, 8 and works over several months. 9 42. Some of the Studios’ Agents bought paid, recurring subscriptions to the 10 Hailuo AI tool, which gave them access to paid features. Others did not buy paid 11 subscriptions and nevertheless generated some of the Accused Outputs shown in the 12 Complaint. 13 43. The Studios’ Agents used the Hailuo AI tool on the Studios’ behalf and 14 for the Studios’ benefit. The agents who did not purchase paid subscriptions 15 generated Accused Outputs for the Studios’ benefit and not for any personal, non- 16 commercial purpose permitted by the Terms. 17 44. The Accused Outputs generated by the Studios’ Agents using the 18 Hailuo AI tool did not remain private or personal. The Studios now use those 19 outputs as the basis for claims against Nanonoble in this action. 20 45. That same activity exposed Nanonoble to the claims that the Studios 21 now assert and, as Nanonoble has determined, harmed Nanonoble or exposed it to 22 liability under the Terms. 23 D. The Studios Are Bound by Their Agents’ Conduct 24 46. The Studios acted through Jenner & Block LLP, their counsel of 25 record, and through investigators or other agents engaged by or on behalf of the 26 Studios. When those attorneys, investigators, and other agents registered for or 27 signed in to the Hailuo AI tool, accepted the Terms, submitted prompts, and used 28 the tool to create the Accused Outputs, they acted at the Studios’ direction, on the 54 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 55 of 60 Page ID #:1355 1 Studios’ behalf, for the Studios’ benefit, and within the scope of their authority and 2 engagement. 3 47. Because the Studios’ Agents acted within the scope of that authority 4 and engagement, the Studios are bound by the Terms under principles of agency, 5 including principles applicable to undisclosed principals. 6 48. In the alternative, the Studios ratified, adopted, and relied on their 7 agents’ acceptance of the Terms and use of the Hailuo AI tool. They adopted and 8 relied on the Accused Outputs in this action and accepted the benefit of their agents’ 9 use. After Nanonoble’s counsel informed the Studios’ counsel that Nanonoble 10 understood that the Studios’ attorneys, investigators, or other agents had created the 11 outputs, the Studios did not disclaim that conduct. Each Studio ratified, adopted, 12 and relied on the Accused Outputs corresponding to the works, characters, or claims 13 that it asserts. 14 First Counterclaim for Relief 15 For Contractual Indemnification 16 (Against All Counterclaim Defendants) 17 49. Nanonoble realleges and incorporates paragraphs 1 through 48 as if set 18 forth in full. 19 50. The Terms are valid and enforceable contracts governed by Singapore 20 law. The Studios’ Agents accepted the Terms by signing into and using the Hailuo 21 AI tool, and the Studios are bound through agency, including principles applicable 22 to undisclosed principals, and through their adoption and reliance on the Accused 23 Outputs. 24 51. Each user agreed to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Nanonoble 25 from claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, and 26 fees, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or relating to the user’s 27 violation of the Terms or use of the Hailuo AI tool, including prompts, outputs, and 28 information obtained through the tool. Ex. A, Indemnification. 55 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 56 of 60 Page ID #:1356 1 52. That obligation reaches claims, liabilities, losses, costs, expenses, and 2 fees arising out of or relating to a user’s use of the Hailuo AI tool, prompts 3 submitted through the tool, resulting outputs, and information obtained through the 4 tool. It does not depend on any finding that the use or content was wrongful or 5 infringing. 6 53. The Studios’ claims arise out of and relate to the Studios’ Agents’ use 7 of the Hailuo AI tool, the prompts they submitted, the resulting outputs, and 8 information obtained through the tool. Nanonoble therefore seeks its defense costs, 9 reasonable attorneys’ fees, and indemnity under the Terms. 10 54. The Studios have not paid or reimbursed Nanonoble’s defense costs or 11 reasonable attorneys’ fees and have not indemnified Nanonoble against the claims in 12 this action. Nanonoble has incurred, and continues to incur, defense costs and 13 reasonable attorneys’ fees as a result. 14 55. Nanonoble is entitled to recover the defense costs and reasonable 15 attorneys’ fees it has incurred and will incur in defending against claims arising out 16 of or relating to the Studios’ Agents’ use of the tool, the prompts they submitted, the 17 resulting outputs, and information obtained through the tool. Nanonoble also seeks 18 indemnity against any judgment, award, or liability based on the Accused Outputs to 19 the extent such relief is available under the Terms and applicable law. 20 Second Counterclaim for Relief 21 For Breach of Contract 22 (Against All Counterclaim Defendants) 23 56. Nanonoble realleges and incorporates paragraphs 1 through 48 as if set 24 forth in full. 25 57. The Terms are valid and enforceable contracts governed by Singapore 26 law. The Studios’ Agents accepted the Terms by signing into and using the Hailuo 27 AI tool. The Studios are bound by their agents’ acceptance of the Terms under 28 56 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 57 of 60 Page ID #:1357 1 agency principles, including principles applicable to undisclosed principals, and 2 through their adoption and reliance on the Accused Outputs. 3 58. The Terms restrict use to personal, non-commercial purposes and bar 4 users from accessing or using for commercial purposes any part of the Hailuo AI 5 tool or materials available through it. The Studios’ Agents breached those 6 restrictions by using unpaid accounts to generate Accused Outputs for the Studios’ 7 benefit. Ex. A, Intellectual Property Rights of the Services. 8 59. The Studios’ Agents also breached the Terms’ restrictions on harmful, 9 rights-violating, and liability-creating content and conduct. Specifically, the Terms: 10 (a) bar users from engaging in conduct that, “as determined by [Nanonoble], may 11 harm the Company . . . or expose [it] to liability”; (b) prohibit prompts and outputs 12 that infringe intellectual-property rights, violate the legal rights of others, violate 13 applicable law, or contain material that could give rise to civil liability; and (c) 14 require users to warrant that their prompts and outputs comply with the Terms and 15 that the user owns or controls the rights necessary to grant Nanonoble the license 16 provided in the Terms. Ex. A, Prohibited Uses; User Contributions and User 17 Generated Content; Content Standards. 18 60. The Studios’ Agents breached the restrictions described above by 19 creating the outputs that the Studios now assert as the basis for liability against 20 Nanonoble. 21 61. The Studios’ Agents’ conduct independently breached the Terms 22 because Nanonoble determined that the conduct harmed Nanonoble or exposed it to 23 liability. If any Accused Output is found to infringe or otherwise violate asserted 24 rights, the same conduct also breached the Terms’ restrictions on rights-violating 25 content and the users’ warranties concerning their prompts and outputs. Nanonoble 26 denies that any Accused Output infringes or otherwise violates asserted rights. 27 62. The Studios’ Agents’ breaches caused Nanonoble to suffer loss, 28 including costs and losses incurred in investigating, addressing, and responding to 57 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 58 of 60 Page ID #:1358 1 the contractual violations and the claims arising from the Accused Outputs. To the 2 extent recoverable as contract damages or under the Terms, Nanonoble also seeks its 3 defense costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. In any event, Nanonoble is entitled to 4 nominal damages for the breach. 5 Third Counterclaim for Relief 6 For Declaratory Relief 7 (Against All Counterclaim Defendants) 8 63. Nanonoble realleges and incorporates paragraphs 1 through 48 as if set 9 forth in full. 10 64. The Terms are valid and enforceable contracts governed by Singapore 11 law. The Studios’ Agents accepted the Terms by signing into and using the Hailuo 12 AI tool. The Studios are bound by their agents’ acceptance of the Terms under 13 agency principles, including principles applicable to undisclosed principals, and 14 through their adoption and reliance on the Accused Outputs. 15 65. The Terms prohibit users of the Hailuo AI tool from engaging in 16 harmful, rights-violating, or liability-creating conduct. Ex. A, Prohibited Uses; User 17 Contributions and User Generated Content; Content Standards. Nanonoble denies 18 that any Accused Output infringes or otherwise violates asserted rights. If the 19 Accused Outputs are infringing, the Studios’ Agents violated the Terms by using the 20 Hailuo AI tool to create them. 21 66. A substantial, immediate, and real controversy exists between 22 Nanonoble and the Studios regarding whether the Studios’ Agents’ use of the Hailuo 23 AI tool to generate outputs which infringe the Studios’ copyrights violates the 24 Terms. 25 67. Nanonoble is entitled to a declaration pursuant to the Declaratory 26 Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201, that the Studios’ Agents’ use of the Hailuo AI tool 27 to generate outputs that infringe the Studios’ copyrights, if they do, violates the 28 Terms. Such use includes the generation of the Accused Outputs which, the Studios 58 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 59 of 60 Page ID #:1359 1 allege, infringe the Studios’ copyrights and includes any past or future generation of 2 any other allegedly infringing images or videos using the Hailuo AI tool. 3 Prayer for Relief on Counterclaims 4 WHEREFORE, Nanonoble prays for judgment against the Studios as follows: 5 A. For an award of Nanonoble’s defense costs and reasonable attorneys’ 6 fees incurred in defending against claims arising out of or relating to 7 the Studios’ Agents’ use of the Hailuo AI tool, prompts submitted 8 through the tool, resulting outputs, and information obtained through 9 the tool, in an amount to be proven and including such fees and costs as 10 continue to accrue; 11 B. For damages according to proof, including costs and losses Nanonoble 12 incurred in investigating, addressing, and responding to the Studios’ 13 Agents’ contractual violations, and, in any event, nominal damages for 14 breach; 15 C. For prejudgment and post-judgment interest as allowed by law; 16 D. For Nanonoble’s costs of suit incurred herein; 17 E. For a declaration that the Studios’ Agents’ use of the Hailuo AI tool to 18 generate videos that allegedly infringe the Studios’ copyrights, whether 19 in the past, present, or future, violates Nanonoble’s Terms of Use; and 20 F. For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. 21 DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 22 Defendant and Counterclaimant Nanonoble Pte. Ltd. and Defendant Shanghai 23 Xiyu Jizhi Technology Co. Ltd. demand a trial by jury on all issues so triable. 24 25 26 27 28 59 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Case 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E Document 60 Filed 06/05/26 Page 60 of 60 Page ID #:1360 1 Dated: June 5, 2026 QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN, LLP 2 Robert M. Schwartz 3 Daniel C. Posner Aaron Perahia 4 Moon Hee Lee 5 Bradley Kahn 6 7 By: _________________________ 8 Robert M. Schwartz 9 Attorneys for Defendant and Counterclaimant Nanonoble Pte. Ltd. and Defendant Shanghai 10 Xiyu Jizhi Technology Co. Ltd. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 60 Case No. 2:25-cv-08768-SB-E DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER; NANONOBLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL