Major US film studios have voiced serious concerns over a new AI video tool launched by ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, demanding an immediate halt to copyright infringement associated with its content. The Motion Picture Association (MPA), which represents industry giants such as Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Disney, and Warner Bros., has reported that the AI service, known as Seedance 2.0, has engaged in widespread unauthorized use of copyrighted US works.
The MPA’s outrage stems from the software’s ability to generate lifelike video clips that draw on existing movies, television shows, and real actors, often subjecting them to absent copyright permissions. MPA Chairman and CEO, Charles Rivkin, underscored the issue by stating that ByteDance is undermining established copyright laws that safeguard creators’ rights and support millions of jobs in America. Rivkin insisted that ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activities.
In response, ByteDance has claimed that it has already suspended the feature allowing users to upload images of real people to mitigate copyright concerns. The company emphasized its commitment to respecting intellectual property rights and taking any potential infringement seriously. They indicated that the contentious content was generated during a limited testing phase prior to the tool’s full launch.
This AI technology can produce highly realistic clips from simple text prompts, offering users a wide array of creative scenarios, including a fictional battle between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt or alternative interpretations of popular characters from beloved series like Friends. Given the flooding of these user-generated clips on social media, including takes on famous shows such as The Lord of the Rings and Breaking Bad, the tool has garnered both fascination and apprehension.
Sharing these concerns, well-known screenwriter Rhett Reese, famed for his work on Deadpool, commented on the potential implications for the industry, suggesting an unsettling future for creators if such innovations continue unchecked. Following the backlash, ByteDance announced that it would implement more stringent policies and monitoring mechanisms to comply with local regulations.
As developments unfold, industry stakeholders hope that solutions can be found that respect creative rights while still embracing the exciting possibilities offered by advancements in AI technology.
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