Warner Bros. issued copyright takedown notices to bloggers who accurately predicted key plot details of the new HBO series “Lanterns,” according to reports, even though the writers based their conclusions on publicly available casting announcements and promotional materials.
The series, a DC Comics-based Green Lantern story co-created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King, premiered in mid-August on HBO and Max. Months earlier, Matt McGloin, editor of Cosmic Book News, and other online writers correctly forecast a major development in the first episode by analyzing public information released by the studio.
As those predictions gained traction online, Warner Bros. Discovery sent DMCA notices claiming the posts violated copyright law. Notices targeted posts on X, a short commentary video on YouTube and related content on Facebook. One notice described the issue as “people discussing the spoilers.” Another listed the material as text related to a “Lanterns Season 1 Episode 1 Spoiler.”
Legal journalist Eriq Gardner reported in Puck News that the studio is unlikely to pursue the matter in court. According to Gardner’s analysis, Warner Bros. primarily sought to remove the spoilers from public view before the series debuted. Copyright law generally protects original expression rather than ideas or plot points themselves, and the posts in question did not include leaked footage or stills from the show.
McGloin and others filed counter-notices. Some content was later restored after the studio did not file lawsuits within the required window. The episode has drawn attention to the boundaries between legitimate reporting on public materials and studio efforts to control pre-release discussion.
Warner Bros. has not publicly commented on the specific notices beyond the actions taken. The series continues to air new episodes.
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