Hollywood Groups Condemn ByteDance's AI Video Generator Over Copyright Infringement Claims
A new artificial intelligence video generator developed by Beijing-based ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is facing fierce criticism from Hollywood organizations. They allege that the tool, named Seedance 2.0, engages in blatant copyright violations and uses the likenesses of actors and other individuals without proper authorization.
Industry Backlash Against Seedance 2.0
Seedance 2.0, currently available only in China, allows users to create high-quality AI-generated videos through simple text prompts. This capability has rapidly drawn condemnation from the movie and television industry. The Motion Picture Association has issued a strong statement, accusing the service of unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale.
Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the MPA, emphasized the severity of the issue in a recent statement. He declared that ByteDance is disregarding well-established copyright laws that protect creators and support millions of American jobs. Rivkin called for ByteDance to immediately cease its infringing activities, highlighting the lack of meaningful safeguards against infringement in the service's operation.
Concerns from Creatives and Unions
The backlash extends beyond studio executives to individual creators. Screenwriter Rhett Rheese, known for the Deadpool films, expressed dire concerns on social media, suggesting that such AI tools could threaten the future of human creatives. His comments were prompted by a video shared by Irish director Ruairí Robinson, which depicted AI-generated versions of actors Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in a post-apocalyptic fight scene created with Seedance 2.0.
Actors union SAG-AFTRA has also joined the condemnation, stating its solidarity with studios in opposing the blatant infringement enabled by Seedance 2.0. The union highlighted the unauthorized use of members' voices and likenesses as unacceptable, arguing that it undermines the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood. SAG-AFTRA criticized the tool for disregarding law, ethics, industry standards, and basic principles of consent, noting a complete absence of responsible AI development practices.
ByteDance's Response and Broader Implications
As of the latest reports, ByteDance has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations. The controversy underscores growing tensions between AI innovation and intellectual property rights in the entertainment sector. With Seedance 2.0's capabilities raising alarms about copyright and ethical standards, the incident may prompt further scrutiny and regulatory discussions around AI technologies globally.
