Disney issues cease & desist letter to ByteDance
It’s 2026, and AI is everywhere and can be used by anyone. Though oftentimes helpful in daily life, this ease and access can present some legal complexities. One current issue being discussed is the use of copyrighted materials. Recently, Disney has issued a cease and desist letter to ByteDance over the use of the company’s copyrighted IPs.
ByteDance is the Chinese parent company of the popular app, TikTok. Its new AI model, Seedance 2.0, allows its user to create an AI video – as believable as a clip from a real movie – using characters from popular film and television shows. The problem is that these characters are copyrighted. Disney’s letter to John Rogovin, the general counsel for ByteDance, claims that this is copyright infringement and treats these IPs as if they were public domain. The issue is, they’re not public domain.
In the fight to protect intellectual properties Disney is not the only voice speaking out against ByteDance. SAG-AFTRA and The Motion Picture Association have both expressed their issues with Seedance 2.0 as well. As AI and its usages expand only time will tell how this will continue to effect art in general and the film industry in particular.
What do you think about Seedance 2.0? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Variety
