The Walt Disney Company has issued a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, alleging that its newly launched generative AI tool, Seedance 2.0, unlawfully incorporates copyrighted material from Disney’s iconic franchises, including *Star Wars* and Marvel. The allegations, first reported by Axios, claim that the Chinese tech giant created Seedance using a “pirated library” of Disney characters, treating Disney’s intellectual property as if it were free to use.
The cease-and-desist letter, which Axios has reviewed, presents examples of Seedance-generated videos showcasing characters like Spider-Man, Darth Vader, and Peter Griffin. These instances underscore Disney’s concerns over the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape, particularly as Seedance 2.0 received both acclaim and backlash from Hollywood studios shortly after its Thursday release.
Despite its early success, Seedance has now found itself embroiled in a legal dispute with one of the largest entertainment entities globally. This isn’t Disney’s first confrontation with generative AI; the company issued a similar cease-and-desist letter to Character.AI last September for comparable copyright violations. Additionally, Disney has accused Google of infringing its copyrights while training AI models, reflecting its proactive stance on protecting its assets in an increasingly complex digital environment.
In contrast to its legal actions, Disney has also demonstrated a willingness to collaborate with AI technology. The company recently entered into a three-year licensing agreement with OpenAI, granting the AI firm the rights to generate images and videos using its valuable intellectual property. This dual approach highlights the fine line Disney is navigating between embracing technological advancements and safeguarding its extensive portfolio of beloved characters and stories.
As generative AI continues to advance, the scrutiny from major corporations like Disney signals a growing concern over intellectual property rights. Industry observers are closely monitoring how this legal landscape evolves, particularly as other tech firms and content creators grapple with similar challenges. The outcome of Disney’s legal maneuvers against ByteDance could set a significant precedent for the use of copyrighted material in AI-generated content, potentially affecting the broader entertainment industry.
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