Super Mario Galaxy Movie Includes Disclaimer That It Cannot Be Used for AI Training
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) surprised viewers by carrying an AI-specific copyright notice in its end credits. News sites report that at the very end of the credit roll, the film displays a line explicitly stating the movie “may not be used to train AI”. This was first noted by fan news outlets like NintendoEverything and GameSpot shortly after the movie’s release. In fact, GameSpot points out that Universal – the Galaxy movie’s distributor (through Illumination) – has been tacking this same warning onto its credits since June 2025. In other words, the Galaxy film’s final disclaimer is simply the latest example of Universal adding “no AI training” notices to its releases.
While this may seem surprising for a Nintendo/Illumination production, it aligns with Universal’s new policy. Universal began including an AI-training prohibition in its films (starting with How to Train Your Dragon in mid-2025) as a legal measure against AI companies mining its content. The Galaxy movie’s credit sequence is not unique – it follows the same practice seen in other Universal animations and blockbusters. By placing the message in the credits, Universal is signaling that it considers this content protected from unauthorized AI use.
What the Super Mario Galaxy Movie AI Training Disclaimer Says
The exact wording of the Galaxy movie’s AI notice is a formal legal warning. According to NintendoEverything (which shared the end-credit text), the notice includes standard copyright boilerplate followed by an explicit AI clause. For example, it reserves all rights under data-mining laws and concludes:
“All Rights In This Work Are Reserved For Purposes Of Laws In All Jurisdictions Pertaining To Data Mining, Or AI Training, Including, But Not Limited To Article 4(3) Of Directive (EU) 2019/790. This Work May Not Be Used To Train AI.”
This quotation (from the film’s legal fine print) makes the studio’s intent clear. It explicitly links to international data-mining law (citing the EU’s Directive 2019/790) and then flatly states that the work may not be used for AI training. In context, the line appears after the usual notice that the motion picture is protected by law, and it serves as the final clause in the credits. Essentially, Universal is using its full copyright statement to forbid AI firms from feeding this film into their models.
Why the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Has an AI Training Warning
The AI disclaimer appears in Super Mario Galaxy for the simple reason that Universal instituted it as a blanket policy for all its releases. As GameSpot reports, Universal “started attaching” the “do not train AI” warning to movie credits beginning in June 2025. NintendoEverything confirms that this Galaxy movie’s warning is identical to ones recently added to other Universal films. In practice, this means that Galaxy carries the same credit notice found in films like How to Train Your Dragon (2025) or Jurassic World: Rebirth – it’s not a Nintendo-specific decision but a studio-wide legal precaution.
There are no reports that the Galaxy production itself used AI generation; rather, the warning is purely preventative. Universal (and its animation arm Illumination) simply included the new legal clause along with all other standard notices. This reflects the studio’s stance on protecting its intellectual property. Universal’s Illumination head Chris Meledandri has spoken about AI as an upcoming “wave” in creativity, and the company clearly wants to ensure its movies aren’t used as free training data. In short, Galaxy has the warning because it is a Universal movie, and Universal recently decreed that all its films must include that credit line.
Where the AI Disclaimer Appears in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Credits
The AI-training warning is literally at the end of the credits. NintendoEverything notes that the disclaimer is “found all the way at the end of the movie’s credits” – in fact, it is the very last line of the credits sequence. GameSpot similarly reports that the credit roll “includes a line” about not using the film to train AI.
In other words, the notice appears in tiny text after all other acknowledgments and legal statements, grouped with the film’s copyright warnings. Viewers who carefully watch the end credits will see the line “This Work May Not Be Used To Train AI” (following the main copyright block). No elaborate graphic or separate screen is used – it’s just tacked onto the final legal panel before the credits finish.
Universal Pictures AI Training Disclaimer on Movies Explained
Universal Pictures has rolled out a clear legal message in recent films. In summary:
- Universal’s new credit notice (June 2025): Starting with How to Train Your Dragon (2025), Universal began appending a copyright warning to its films that explicitly bans AI training. The message generally includes the line, “This motion picture is protected under the laws… unauthorized duplication… may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution,” followed by the newer clause, “This film may not be used to train AI.”.
- Films using this notice: Since its introduction, the clause has appeared in Universal releases like How to Train Your Dragon (2025), Jurassic World: Rebirth, The Bad Guys 2, and now Super Mario Galaxy. Gizmodo reports these titles share the same credit text forbidding AI training.
- International legal tie-ins: For European releases, Universal even cites EU law (Article 4(3) of Directive 2019/790) in the same notice. This is the portion NintendoEverything quoted in Galaxy’s credits, which links the ban to a copyright directive.
- Purpose of the notice: NoFilmSchool explains that Universal’s intent is to send “an unequivocal statement” to tech companies: if you train AI on our copyrighted work, expect a lawsuit. The credit notice creates a written record that the studio did not consent to AI data mining, strengthening its legal position.
- Limitation: It’s important to note that adding the notice in credits doesn’t physically stop anyone from scraping the film. Instead, it serves as a deterrent and a legal precaution. Universal hopes it will provide a basis to sue if an AI company is found to have used the movie without permission.
Together, these points explain why Super Mario Galaxy ends with that AI clause: it’s part of Universal’s new standard practice to protect its films’ copyrights in the age of AI.
Can AI Companies Use Movie Footage for Training Without Permission
In most jurisdictions, using copyrighted movie footage to train AI models without permission would likely be illegal. The U.S. Copyright Office has explicitly warned that feeding copyrighted material into AI constitutes at least “prima facie infringement” of the reproduction right. In practical terms, if a company were to scrape the Galaxy movie and train an AI system on it without authorization, it could be infringing the studio’s exclusive rights. Wikipedia’s overview of AI and copyright also notes that training AI on copyrighted works “may infringe” the owner’s right to control reproduction.
Some might argue fair use, but experts say the transformation is usually modest and courts are split on whether model training is legally permissible. Moreover, regulators recognize this risk. The Galaxy movie’s own credit cites the EU’s data-mining exception (Article 4(3) of Directive 2019/790) to signal that Universal does not consent to such use.
In short, absent a license or a clear legal exception, AI firms should assume that using a film’s footage for training violates copyright. The disclaimers in Galaxy reinforce this: Universal is warning that any AI company that treats the movie as training data would be doing so without permission. While enforcement may be challenging (AI developers often train on publicly available data at massive scale), the combination of law and these on-screen notices makes it clear that unauthorized AI training is not allowed.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie End Credits Warning and Copyright Protection
The Galaxy movie’s end-credits disclaimer ties directly into copyright law. It follows the typical pattern of a copyright notice with added AI language. For example, GameSpot notes the credit includes the line:
“This motion picture is protected under the laws of the United States and other countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution or exhibition may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.”
This is standard film copyright boilerplate, reminding viewers that the movie is fully protected by law. The AI-specific line is appended to this legal text. In essence, the credits are reasserting Universal’s exclusive rights over the movie (as guaranteed by copyright). By explicitly adding the AI warning to these legal statements, Universal is emphasizing that any unauthorized copying – including copying for AI training – would infringe those rights.
Under U.S. law, the studio owns the exclusive right to reproduce and prepare derivative works of the film. The credits’ warning is essentially a public assertion of those rights. It’s akin to the FBI warnings on DVDs: a reminder that you only have a narrow license (to watch) and nothing more. In court, having this notice could strengthen Universal’s case by showing the studio explicitly objected to AI use. Thus, the end-credits disclaimer serves as both a warning and a copyright-protection measure under existing law.
Why Studios Are Adding “May Not Be Used to Train AI” Disclaimers
Movie studios have quickly moved to clarify that their films should not be used as free data for AI. They give several reasons for these notices:
- Protecting intellectual property: Studios are concerned that AI companies have been ingesting copyrighted content without permission. Gizmodo reports that AI firms like OpenAI have even scraped copyrighted works (books, articles, films) to train their models. By posting a disclaimer, the studio makes it clear it did not agree to that use.
- Legal strategy: These warnings establish a legal red line. No Film School explains Universal’s goal: if an AI firm “train[s] [its] programs on their copyrighted work,” Universal will sue. In other words, the notice is a public declaration of the studio’s intent to enforce its rights. DreamWorks made a similar point: in The Bad Guys 2, its credits warn AI “artists” not to copy the film, noting that violators would face a “hefty lawsuit”.
- Deterrence and enforcement: By adding the message to every release, studios hope to deter bad actors. As one industry commentator noted, even if the notice doesn’t physically stop AI, it does make it “easier to take [the AI companies] to court” if they use the film anyway. It’s similar to how book publishers or digital platforms have started including “no AI” terms in their contracts.
- Support for creators: Film crews and actors generally welcome clear protections. In online discussions, many fans praised the AI-warning as a stand against theft of creative work. Studios also gain goodwill by showing they are fighting for artists’ rights (e.g. Scarlett Johansson and hundreds of creatives campaigned against AI-generated fan videos).
Overall, studios see these disclaimers as a necessary adaptation in the AI era. As Universal’s lead animation executive put it, AI is coming “like a wave” and should be treated “as another tool” – but only if it’s used legally. Until law catches up, on-screen warnings are their current way to push back against unauthorized AI training.
Universal and Nintendo’s Approach to AI and Copyright in Film
Universal Pictures and Nintendo share a strong commitment to protecting their content, though they express it differently. Universal has been very public about its new credit notices and legal stance. In July 2025, Universal put a clear warning in its movie credits and signaled it would sue any tech company that mined its films for AI training. (This aligns with the on-screen disclaimer in Galaxy.)
Nintendo’s approach is similar in spirit. The company consistently emphasizes that its games and characters are the work of human creators and should be safeguarded. Former Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser said in 2025 that Nintendo will explore AI only if it “helps create a better gameplay experience,” but underscored that what makes Nintendo games special is the “humans who make games and their artistic capabilities”. More formally, Nintendo has publicly reaffirmed that it will take “necessary actions” to protect its IP against infringement, whatever the technology.
In practice, Nintendo leaves film distribution to partners (for example, the upcoming The Legend of Zelda movie is being made with Sony, not Universal). It is not yet known if that film will carry a similar AI disclaimer. However, Nintendo’s stance suggests it will expect any partner to enforce strict IP rights. The Galaxy movie’s credit notice shows that even in its animated films, the company (and its allies) are keen to block unauthorized AI usage. In short, both Universal and Nintendo are keenly aware of AI’s potential impact on their work, and both are using legal tools – credit warnings and public statements – to assert control over how their content is used.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie AI Disclaimer Reaction From Fans and Viewers
Audiences have generally reacted positively to the credit disclaimer. On social media and forums, many fans cheered the studio’s stance. For example, one viewer wrote on Reddit that they saw the “may not be used for AI training” notice and said “fuck yeah” in approval. Another commenter noted that while the disclaimer won’t magically stop all AI use, it does give the studio a better chance to sue if needed – much like book publishers adding similar notices when tools like ChatGPT emerged.
There was also some humor and debate about the presentation (some joked about the capitalization of “Ai” vs “AI”), but most fans seemed glad studios are taking a stand. As one user put it, “Honestly? Good on them. More creators should be this clear about protecting their work”. A few skeptics pointed out that a credit line is “way too late” since AI has already learned vast amounts of media, but even those acknowledged that the warning at least formalizes Universal’s objections. In summary, fans view the Galaxy movie’s AI warning as a welcome affirmation that studios care about creators’ rights in the AI age.
How the Super Mario Galaxy Movie AI Warning Fits the Wider Hollywood AI Debate
The Galaxy disclaimer is part of a much larger entertainment-industry debate over AI. Hollywood studios, writers, actors, and directors have all been grappling with how to handle AI tools that can mimic movie scripts, characters, and visuals. Universal’s move echoes similar actions by others: DreamWorks recently inserted an “AI training” warning in Bad Guys 2 credits, and trade unions have begun setting strict rules on AI usage. Meanwhile, tech companies have faced lawsuits from content owners – for example, publishers like the New York Times and Atlantic have sued AI firms over unlicensed use of their copyrighted text.
These conflicts show the stakes: AI models are often trained on huge datasets scraped from the internet, which likely include copyrighted movies, books, and images. The legal system is just starting to sort out these issues. In this context, the Super Mario Galaxy movie’s credit notice is a concrete example of studios pushing back. It puts the industry’s position on the record: our films cannot be used as free training data. As Gizmodo explains, Universal’s credit message is “part of an ongoing effort by major IP holders to keep their content from getting fed into the machines”.
Overall, by adding the AI-training ban to Galaxy, Universal is stepping into the public conversation on AI and copyright. The warning aligns with a broader push in Hollywood: content creators are asserting that unauthorized AI reproduction of their work will not be tolerated. The Galaxy movie’s end-credits line is one more sign that Hollywood is raising the legal pressure on AI developers and seeking to influence how emerging technologies respect creative ownership.
What the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Disclaimer Could Mean for Future Nintendo Films
The inclusion of this AI training ban may set a precedent for Nintendo’s film projects. Nintendo’s next big movie is The Legend of Zelda (slated for 2027), but that one is being produced with Sony, not Universal. It remains to be seen if Sony will include a similar AI notice in Zelda’s credits. However, Galaxy’s disclaimer suggests that Nintendo, as IP owner, and its partners will likely prioritize such protections. If Nintendo continues to collaborate with major studios (like Sony or Universal) on future films, it will probably expect them to implement analogous warnings and legal safeguards.
For now, the Galaxy credit notice mainly signals that Nintendo’s characters and stories are off-limits to AI training without permission. It’s possible that Nintendo could even adopt similar clauses in other media (movies, games, or marketing materials) to reinforce its IP rights. The wider implication is clear: from this point on, any official Nintendo movie might carry an explicit clause banning AI training, making it contractually clear that the film cannot be used to train AI models without consent. In short, Super Mario Galaxy is establishing a new standard. Future Nintendo films – whether with Universal, Sony, or others – will likely consider AI disclaimers as part of their legal packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What exactly does the AI training disclaimer in Super Mario Galaxy Movie say?
The credit reads something like “All rights in this work are reserved for purposes of laws in all jurisdictions pertaining to data mining or AI training… This work may not be used to train AI”. In short, it reserves the studio’s rights under copyright law and explicitly forbids using the film to train AI. - Why did the Super Mario Galaxy movie include an AI training warning?
Universal Pictures started adding such disclaimers to its films in mid-2025 as a copyright-protection measure. The Galaxy movie got the same notice because it is distributed by Universal/Illumination. It was not due to anything specific in the film, but part of Universal’s new policy to protect all its movies from unlicensed AI use. - Is this disclaimer unique to Super Mario Galaxy, or do other movies have it?
Other recent Universal films also carry identical notices. For example, How to Train Your Dragon (2025), Jurassic World: Rebirth, and The Bad Guys 2 all include a “may not be used to train AI” line in the credits. It is part of a broad rollout of these disclaimers by Universal. - Where exactly does the disclaimer appear in the movie?
It’s hidden at the very end of the credits roll. Viewers have noted that the AI warning is literally the last line of the credit sequence. You have to wait through all the legal notices to see it, and it’s printed in small text alongside the usual copyright warnings. - Does the disclaimer mean the movie was made without any AI assistance?
Not necessarily. The disclaimer only addresses post-production use – it says the movie footage cannot be fed into AI training. It does not confirm or deny whether any AI tools were used in making the movie. Universal’s intent is solely to prevent the finished film from being used to train external AI models. - Can an AI company legally use a movie like this for training if they ignore the notice?
Legally, using the movie without permission would likely infringe copyright. The U.S. Copyright Office has warned that training on copyrighted works is prima facie infringement. In Europe, the AI line explicitly invokes a law allowing creators to opt out of data-mining exceptions. In practice, if an AI company knowingly trains on the film, the studio could sue for copyright violation. - Why are studios inserting these “no AI training” notices now?
With the rise of generative AI, content owners fear their work will be scraped without consent. By adding the notice, studios explicitly deny permission for such use. It’s a legal warning: Universal CEO Chris Meledandri says it’s telling tech firms that infringing on movie IP will result in lawsuits. It’s both a deterrent and a way to strengthen legal standing if a company does use the content anyway. - Do these credit warnings carry legal weight?
They serve as notice. While a disclaimer alone doesn’t make something illegal (you can’t contract you out of fair use), it does show the studio explicitly refused permission. In court, this notice could be cited as evidence that any unauthorized AI use violated the license terms. As one industry commenter put it, adding the disclaimer is like saying “you are giving us permission to sue you if you do this”. - How have fans and critics reacted to the AI disclaimer?
Most fans applaud it. Online, many viewers posted that they were glad to see the studio defend its work. One fan said seeing the line made them say “fuck yeah”, and others noted it’s a smart move for protecting artists. Some skeptics pointed out that AI already had plenty of data, but even they agreed the clause clarifies the studio’s position. Overall, the reaction has been positive in support of creators’ rights. - Could this AI disclaimer influence future Nintendo films or games?
Possibly. Nintendo is very protective of its IP, and this move suggests it will demand similar safeguards in future partnerships. The upcoming Legend of Zelda movie is being made with Sony Pictures, and if Nintendo deems it important, Sony might include a similar credit note. In games, Nintendo has already stated it will explore AI only if it benefits gameplay, otherwise relying on human creativity. The Galaxy movie sets a precedent that Nintendo and its partners will likely build in strong IP protections, potentially making “no AI training” a standard clause for official Nintendo media.
Conclusion
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s end-credits disclaimer underscores a new reality in entertainment: studios are actively safeguarding their works against unlicensed AI use. By explicitly stating that the film “may not be used to train AI,” Universal (and by extension Nintendo) is drawing a firm line around its creative property. This notice is not an isolated oddity but part of a broader industry push.
As AI models grow ever more powerful, content creators are leveraging legal tools – credit warnings and potential lawsuits – to protect their art. The Galaxy movie’s warning thus matters: it signals to viewers and AI developers alike that films are not just ephemeral entertainment but also valuable copyrighted works deserving of full protection. For fans and creators, it shows that even in the credits of an animated sequel, the question of AI rights and copyright is front and center.
Sources and citation
- https://nintendoeverything.com/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-includes-a-disclaimer-that-it-may-not-be-used-to-train-ai/
NintendoEverything. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie includes a disclaimer that it may not be used to train AI.” April 2026. - https://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-mario-galaxy-movie-includes-disclaimer-that-it-cannot-be-used-for-ai-training/1100-6539250/
GameSpot. “Super Mario Galaxy Movie Includes Disclaimer That It Cannot Be Used For AI Training.” April 2026. - https://gizmodo.com/universal-adds-no-ai-training-warning-to-movies-2000639747
Gizmodo. “Universal Adds ‘No AI Training’ Warning to Movies.” - https://nofilmschool.com/universal-sues-ai
NoFilmSchool. “Universal Sends Clear AI Message: ‘We’ll Sue You’.” - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/universal-adds-no-ai-training-084552287.html
Marketwired/TokenRing. “Nintendo Clarifies Stance on Generative AI Amidst IP Protection.” - https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2023/08/us-copyright-office-ai
Skadden. “Copyright Office Weighs In on AI Training and Fair Use.” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence_and_copyright
Wikipedia. “Artificial intelligence and copyright.” - https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/animation-movies/dreamworks-is-fighting-ai-as-fans-find-a-warning-at-the-end-of-new-animated-movie-bad-guys-2-credits-threatening-legal-action-if-the-film-is-used-to-train-ai-programs/
GamesRadar. “Dreamworks is fighting AI as fans find a warning at the end of new animated movie Bad Guys 2…” - https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/1sf3qmy/super_mario_galaxy_movie_includes_disclaimer_that/
Reddit. “Super Mario Galaxy Movie includes disclaimer discussion (fan reactions).”
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