OpenAI Sora Faces Hollywood Backlash Over Copyright Concerns

OpenAI’s new Sora app is sparking a major copyright dispute. Hollywood’s largest studios are demanding immediate action. They claim the AI video tool is generating unauthorized content featuring their intellectual property.

The conflict escalated this week following the app’s viral release. According to Reuters, the Motion Picture Association has formally intervened. This puts OpenAI’s latest technology under intense legal and industry scrutiny.

Why Major Studios Are Demanding Immediate Action

The MPA represents giants like Disney and Warner Bros. It has publicly called for “immediate and decisive action” from OpenAI. The association argues that an opt-out system is insufficient under current copyright law.

Videos of characters like SpongeBob and Pikachu have proliferated on the platform. These characters are protected by copyright. The MPA states it is OpenAI’s responsibility to prevent this infringement from occurring in the first place.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged the issue in a recent blog post. He stated the company is “hearing from a lot of rightsholders.” Altman suggested some are excited about the potential for “interactive fan fiction.”

OpenAI’s Proposed Solution and Revenue Sharing

In response, OpenAI is developing new controls for copyright holders. The planned update will “give rightsholders more granular control” over how their characters are used. This could include the option to block their appearance entirely.

Furthermore, Altman revealed a planned revenue-sharing model. The company is surprised by high user engagement. It now aims to share some of this generated revenue with rightsholders who permit character use.

This dual approach aims to transform a legal conflict into a partnership. However, the MPA’s statement indicates this may not be enough. The core legal principle remains that permission must be secured before use, not after.

The resolution of this clash will set a critical precedent for generative AI. The outcome will define how AI companies handle copyrighted material. The future of creative industries and AI development hangs in the balance.

Info at your fingertips

What is the OpenAI Sora app?

Sora is a new TikTok-style app from OpenAI. It is powered by the Sora 2 AI model to generate short video clips. Access is currently limited to users with special invite codes.

Why is Hollywood upset about Sora?

Major studios are upset because users are creating videos with copyrighted characters. This includes well-known figures from films and cartoons. The Motion Picture Association says this constitutes widespread copyright infringement.

What changes is OpenAI making to Sora?

OpenAI plans to give copyright holders more control over their characters. They are also developing a system to share revenue with rightsholders. These changes are intended to address the current legal concerns.

How does this affect Sora users?

Users may soon find they cannot generate videos of certain characters. The app’s content library could become more restricted. Future updates might also introduce new usage guidelines.

What is the main legal issue?

The core issue is copyright infringement. Studios argue OpenAI must get permission before allowing character use. An opt-out system shifts the legal burden unfairly to creators.