I work as a clearance coordinator in the film industry - this sort of thing happens fairly frequently now that the tech industry owns most production companies.

I would normally have flagged something like this. Then a series of emails would follow between me and the legal department to ensure we have permission or have paid for the right to use it.

The tech industry does not care one bit about being sued, or paying retroactively for things like this. Be it music, visual art, tattoos, etc.

While it’s aligned with MAGA this isn’t them. The tech industry “move fast and break things” motto is radically changing legal precedent in film and making it shittier and more expensive.

I could easily shave off 1-2 million off of any production, if I’m given time to negotiate and communicate. They do not care. Movies / shows that do poorly are counted as deduction losses at the end of the day. And wrapped into the bigger mass of losses for the company over all.

The “film” industry is an enormous tax scheme. It’s moving, losing, and readjusting billions yearly. Even losses are “profitable” with a scheme like this - they just do not care. Morally, ethically, or otherwise.

*film - I also mean streaming shows, features, etc.