Recent developments have placed ByteDance, the Chinese technology powerhouse, under scrutiny due to its new video generation model, Seedance 2.0. Following concerns over copyright violations raised by Disney, the company has committed to enforcing stringent restrictions on the tool. The heated argument emerged after allegations surfaced claiming that ByteDance utilized “pirated libraries” to train the neural network, thereby enabling users to fabricate hyperrealistic videos featuring characters from iconic franchises like Marvel and Star Wars. The BBC reported these unfolding events, with input from UNN.
Details
The dispute escalated when Disney formally requested on Friday that ByteDance halt any copyright infringement. Lawyers representing the film studio referred to the AI tool’s actions as a “virtual devastation,” asserting that the platform had effectively transformed images, protected by significant investments, into publicly accessible clip art.
Criticism also poured in from Paramount Skydance and the Motion Picture Association of America, who insisted that the platform’s capability to reproduce any content owned by major studios must be curtailed.
Disney sent a letter demanding an end to cooperation, accusing ByteDance of supplying Seedance with a “pirated library” of characters. The studio’s lawyers described the company’s actions as a “virtual devastation” of their intellectual property.
ByteDance’s Reaction and International Investigations
In response, ByteDance representatives communicated on Monday that they are attentive to the rights holders’ concerns and are actively working to enhance security measures in version 2.0. The company has pledged to prevent the unauthorized use of likenesses of real individuals and well-known brands, though specific technical measures have not been disclosed. Additionally, the Japanese government has initiated its own inquiry following the emergence of videos featuring characters from popular anime within Seedance, highlighting the global implications of the issue.
We respect intellectual property rights and hear concerns about Seedance 2.0. We are currently taking steps to strengthen existing safeguards, working to prevent unauthorized use of assets by users.
