ByteDance to Restrict AI Video Application Following Disney’s Copyrighted Characters Threat
ByteDance restricts its AI video application Seedance following a legal threat from Disney, which claims unauthorized use of Marvel and Star Wars characters.
ByteDance, the prominent Chinese technology company, has decided to limit its AI video-making tool, Seedance, in response to a legal warning from Disney and apprehensions expressed by other companies in the entertainment sector.
Recently, videos made with the latest Seedance 2.0 app have gone viral online, receiving acclaim for their realism. Certain clips showcase characters from Marvel and Star Wars engaging in intricately crafted battles.
Hollywood studios express concerns, alleging that the platform has violated copyright laws. On Friday, Disney issued a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, asserting that Seedance employs a “pirated library” of the studio’s copyrighted characters. Disney’s legal team characterizes the situation as a “virtual smash-and-grab” of intellectual property.
ByteDance has issued a response, affirming its commitment to respecting intellectual property rights and announcing the implementation of enhanced measures to prevent unauthorized use of copyrighted characters and real-life likenesses. The company has not yet disclosed specific details regarding the measures.
Seedance creates videos based on brief text prompts, frequently showcasing real actors or performances. Clips are already making the rounds online, featuring Spider-Man in combat with Captain America and showcasing Anakin Skywalker and Rey engaged in lightsaber duels.
The Motion Picture Association, representing major US studios like Warner Bros, Paramount, and Netflix, urges ByteDance to halt the infringing activity. SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, has also charged Seedance with “blatant infringement.” In the meantime, the Japanese government has initiated an investigation following the emergence of AI-generated videos showcasing popular anime characters.
The global legal pressure on AI content tools is on the rise. In the previous year, Disney and NBCUniversal took legal action against the AI image generator MidJourney for producing unauthorized replicas of copyrighted materials. Additionally, Disney has requested that Google limit the AI generation of its characters.
