Hollywood Storm: AI Copying Stars 💥🎬
Tech
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Hollywood organizations are expressing serious concerns regarding Seedance 2.0, a new AI video model launched by ByteDance earlier this week. Initially available to Chinese users of the Jianying app, the model allows users to create short videos from text prompts, mirroring capabilities similar to OpenAI’s Sora. Rapidly, criticism arose, particularly concerning the potential for unauthorized use of copyrighted works, including the likenesses of well-known characters like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Spider-Man, and Baby Yoda. Following a brief video featuring Cruise and Pitt, a screenwriter stated that the technology posed a significant threat. The Motion Picture Association, along with actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, demanded ByteDance immediately cease its activity, accusing the company of engaging in a “virtual smash-and-grab of Disney’s IP.” These actions highlight escalating tensions between AI development and the protection of intellectual property within the entertainment industry.
SEEDANCE 2.0: A COPYRIGHT CONCERN
ByteDance’s newly launched AI video model, Seedance 2.0, has rapidly become a focal point of concern within Hollywood, primarily due to accusations of widespread copyright infringement. Initially available to Chinese users of the Jianying app, the model allows users to generate videos from text prompts, mirroring the functionality of tools like OpenAI’s Sora. The speed with which Seedance 2.0 gained traction, coupled with the ease with which users created videos featuring recognizable likenesses of actors and characters, triggered immediate and forceful reactions from major studios and industry organizations. This rapid development highlights a critical juncture in the intersection of AI technology and intellectual property rights.
STUDIO OUTCRY AND IMMEDIATE ACTION
The response to Seedance 2.0’s release has been swift and unified across Hollywood. The Motion Picture Association (MPA), led by CEO Charles Rivkin, issued a formal statement demanding ByteDance immediately cease its infringing activities. Rivkin emphasized the scale of the alleged copyright violations, asserting that within a single day, Seedance 2.0 engaged in unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale. This condemnation wasn't isolated; the Human Artistry Campaign, supported by Hollywood unions and trade groups, labeled Seedance 2.0 as “an attack on every creator around the world,” underscoring the broader implications for the creative workforce. Furthermore, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) explicitly stated its support for the studios in condemning the blatant infringement enabled by ByteDance’s new AI video model.
DISNEY’S LEGAL RESPONSE AND WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Disney’s reaction to Seedance 2.0’s capabilities was particularly forceful, demonstrating the potential severity of the situation. Following the creation of videos featuring iconic Disney characters – including Spider-Man, Darth Vader, and Grogu – Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, accusing the Chinese company of a “virtual smash-and-grab of Disney’s IP.” The letter detailed how ByteDance is allegedly “hijacking Disney’s characters by reproducing, distributing, and creating derivative works featuring those characters.” This aggressive action reflects Disney’s commitment to protecting its vast intellectual property portfolio. While Disney has previously explored partnerships with AI companies, such as a licensing deal with OpenAI, this response signals a determined stance against unauthorized AI-generated content utilizing its characters. The situation underscores the need for robust legal frameworks and safeguards to address the challenges posed by rapidly evolving AI technology and its impact on creative industries.
This article is AI-synthesized from public sources and may not reflect original reporting.