Major Hollywood studios have taken action against a new artificial intelligence video generator developed by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. The studios claim the tool created clips that unlawfully used copyrighted films, television shows, and actors.
The dispute centers on Seedance 2.0, an advanced AI system that produces ultra realistic video clips from short text prompts. The Motion Picture Association, which represents leading American studios, has demanded that the company immediately stop what it calls large scale copyright violations.
Studios Say Copyright Was Violated
The Motion Picture Association represents major entertainment companies, including Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
According to the association, Seedance 2.0 generated clips based on existing movies and television programs without authorization. Some of the AI generated content featured realistic versions of well known actors placed in fictional fight scenes or fantasy settings.
Examples included imagined fights between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, as well as scenes showing Will Smith battling a strange creature. In another case, characters from Friends appeared reimagined as animals.
Studio representatives argue that this type of output relies on protected intellectual property. They say the tool copied recognizable characters, actor likenesses, and story elements without permission.
ByteDance Responds to Allegations
ByteDance has responded by saying it takes copyright and intellectual property rights seriously. The company explained that the disputed content was created during a limited pre launch testing phase.
It also confirmed that it has already suspended the feature that allowed users to upload images of real people. This move aims to prevent misuse of celebrity likenesses and copyrighted material.
The company maintains that it respects legal protections and will address any verified infringement concerns.
Growing Tension Over AI and Creative Rights
The clash highlights rising tension between AI developers and the entertainment industry. Generative AI tools can now produce highly realistic video content within seconds. While this technology opens new creative possibilities, it also raises serious legal and ethical questions.
Studios worry that unchecked AI systems could weaken copyright protection and harm creators. Technology firms, on the other hand, argue that innovation must continue while proper safeguards evolve.
As AI tools grow more advanced, regulators and courts may need to clarify how existing copyright laws apply to machine generated content.
