After spooking Hollywood, ByteDance will tweak safeguards on new AI model

Source: The Verge

ByteDance says it will improve safeguards on its new AI video generator after Disney, Paramount, and Hollywood trade groups accused the tool of violating copyright protections.

Background

Hyperrealistic videos generated by the Seedance 2.0 model went viral last week. The videos featured likenesses of actors such as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, as well as characters from Dragon Ball Z, Family Guy, and Pokémon.

ByteDance’s response

“ByteDance respects intellectual property rights and we have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0,” a ByteDance spokesperson said in a statement shared by CNBC. “We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users.”

The company’s response follows cease‑and‑desist letters from major studios:

• Disney accused ByteDance of “hijacking” its protected characters by “reproducing, distributing, and creating derivative works” that feature them. (The Verge)
• Paramount Skydance sent its own cease‑and‑desist letter, demanding that ByteDance remove all infringing instances of Paramount content and prevent future generation. (Deadline)

Industry reaction

Hollywood trade groups, including the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and SAG‑AFTRA, have weighed in:

• MPA CEO Charles Rivkin issued a statement accusing ByteDance of “engaging in copyright infringement at a massive scale,” and of disregarding laws that support “millions of American jobs.” (Creative First)
• SAG‑AFTRA said its members’ voices and likenesses have been used by Seedance 2.0 without authorization. “This is unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood,” the union said in a statement to AP News. “Seedance 2.0 disregards law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent. Responsible AI development demands responsibility, and that is nonexistent here.”