Disney accuses ByteDance of 'virtual smash-and-grab' when using copyrighted works to train its AI
Source: Engadget
Disney’s Cease-and-Desist Letter to ByteDance
Disney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance over its newly released generative‑AI tool, Seedance 2.0. According to an Axios report, the letter alleges that Seedance was built “with a pirated library of Disney’s copyrighted characters from Star Wars, Marvel, and other Disney franchises,” treating Disney’s intellectual property as if it were public‑domain clip art.
The letter, obtained by Axios, includes screenshots of Seedance‑generated videos that feature Disney‑owned characters such as Spider‑Man, Darth Vader, and Peter Griffin.
Seedance 2.0’s Reception
- Released on Thursday (the same week the cease‑and‑desist was sent).
- Received both praise for its AI‑generation capabilities and criticism from Hollywood studios concerned about copyright infringement.
Disney’s History of AI‑Related Legal Actions
- Character.AI received a similar cease‑and‑desist letter from Disney in September for using Disney characters without permission.
- Earlier this year, Disney accused Google of copyright infringement for using Disney content to train its AI models.
Disney’s Licensing Partnership with OpenAI
Despite these legal disputes, Disney entered a three‑year licensing agreement with OpenAI, allowing the AI company to generate images and videos that incorporate Disney’s intellectual property under a formal license.
Original article: Engadget – Disney accuses ByteDance of “virtual smash‑and‑grab” when using copyrighted works to train its AI