Hollywood groups condemn ByteDance’s AI video generator, claim copyright infringement
A new artificial intelligence video generator from Beijing-based ByteDance, the creator of TikTok, draws the ire of Hollywood organizations
A new artificial intelligence video generator from Beijing-based ByteDance, the maker of TikTok, is drawing the ire of Hollywood organizations who say Seedance 2.0 “blatantly” violates copyright and uses the likeness of actors and others without permission.
Seedance 2.0, which is only available in China at the moment, allows users to generate high-quality AI videos using simple text prompts. The tool was quickly condemned by the film and television industry.
The Motion Picture Association said Seedance 2.0 “engaged in massive and unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works.”
“By launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is failing to comply with well-established copyright law that protects the rights of creators and supports millions of American jobs. ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activities,” Charles Rivkin, president and CEO of the MPA, said in a statement Tuesday.
Screenwriter Rhett Rheese, who wrote the “Deadpool” films, said on X last week: “I hate to say that. It’s probably over for us.” His post was in response to Irish director Ruairí Robinson’s post of a Seedance 2.0 video that shows AI versions of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA said Friday that it “stands with the studios in condemning the egregious infringement” enabled by Seedance 2.0.
“This offense includes the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses. This is unacceptable and undermines the ability of human talent to earn a living,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. “Seedance 2.0 disregards the law, ethics, industry standards, and basic principles of consent. Responsible AI development requires accountability, and that doesn’t exist here.”
ByteDance said in a statement on Sunday that it respects intellectual property rights.
“(We) have heard the concerns about Seedance 2.0. We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent unauthorized use of intellectual property and imagery by users,” the company said.
