ByteDance is under pressure to enhance protections for its AI video tool, Seedance 2.0, after a wave of criticism from major Hollywood studios. The backlash was ignited by claims that the tool was generating content featuring copyrighted characters, prompting cease-and-desist letters from companies like Disney and Paramount Skydance.
Hollywood’s Strong Response
Disney and Paramount Skydance accused ByteDance of blatant copyright infringement, asserting that Seedance 2.0 users were sharing AI-generated videos that included characters such as Spider-Man, Darth Vader, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Disney’s letter described Seedance as “hijacking” its characters and likened the situation to treating Disney’s intellectual property as “free public domain clip art.” Paramount emphasized that the outputs from Seedance were often indistinguishable from the original characters, raising serious concerns about the tool’s implications for intellectual property rights.
International Scrutiny
The situation escalated further when Japan’s AI minister, Kimi Onoda, initiated an investigation into ByteDance, highlighting the need to protect popular anime and manga characters from unauthorized use. Onoda stated, “We cannot overlook a situation in which content is being used without the copyright holder’s permission.” This international scrutiny adds another layer of complexity to ByteDance’s challenges.
ByteDance’s Response and Industry Reactions
In response to the mounting legal threats and investigations, ByteDance issued a statement asserting its respect for intellectual property rights and acknowledging the concerns surrounding Seedance 2.0. The company indicated that it would implement measures to prevent unauthorized use of intellectual property. However, skepticism remains, particularly from Disney, which accused ByteDance of releasing the tool without adequate safeguards.
Industry groups, including the Motion Picture Association and SAG-AFTRA, voiced their concerns, with SAG-AFTRA condemning the unauthorized use of actors’ likenesses and voices. The Human Artistry Campaign characterized the launch of Seedance 2.0 as an attack on creators, emphasizing the destructive nature of using AI to replicate human artistry.
Future Implications for AI in Entertainment
Despite the backlash, some industry voices see potential in AI tools like Seedance 2.0. A tech consultant suggested that the controversy may have been part of ByteDance’s strategy to showcase its technological capabilities. However, critics argue that the tool undermines the creative process and raises ethical questions about the use of AI in entertainment.
As the debate continues, significant questions remain regarding how Seedance 2.0 was trained and the datasets used, with ByteDance yet to disclose this information. The evolving landscape of AI in creative industries will likely hinge on how these issues are addressed moving forward.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
