ByteDance, the Chinese technology giant, has announced plans to curb its video-generated AI tool after Disney threatened legal action over copyright issues.
Recently, ByteDance’s Seedance 2.0 app caused a stir on the internet for producing highly realistic AI videos that have since spread rapidly online. As a result of these developments, several Hollywood studios sounded alarms about potential copyright infringements.
Disney was quick to respond with a cease-and-desist letter addressed directly to ByteDance. The entertainment conglomerate accused the Chinese tech firm of using Disney characters in Seedance 2.0 without consent, as Reuters reported. According to internal sources close to this matter, Disney claimed that ByteDance utilized an “unauthorized library of copyrighted characters from franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel” to train Seedance.
Disney also pointed out that the company was reproducing, distributing, and creating derivative works featuring Spider-Man, Darth Vader, and other characters without permission. The conglomerate emphasized its concerns about these practices could potentially lead to legal action.
As a response, ByteDance has decided to restrict the AI video feature by preventing unauthorized use of copyrighted characters and celebrity likenesses. Speaking on the BBC, ByteDance acknowledged their respect for intellectual property rights and vowed to strengthen current safeguards against such misuse, although no specific measures were disclosed at this time.
Disney is not the only studio taking action; Paramount Skydance also sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, accusing it of “egregious violations” concerning intellectual property.