Hollywood Studios Take Aim at AI Video Tool

Major US film studios, represented by the Motion Picture Association, have issued a stern demand for ByteDance to cease what they characterize as massive copyright infringement through its newly launched AI video generation tool, Seedance 2.0. The sophisticated platform enables users to create remarkably realistic video content from minimal text prompts, generating viral clips featuring established actors and scenes derived from copyrighted films and television programs.

MPA Chairman Charles Rivkin condemned ByteDance for "launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement" and disregarding established copyright law that protects creators' rights and supports millions of American jobs. The controversy has sparked intense debate within the entertainment industry about AI's implications for creative professionals. Screenwriter Rhett Reese expressed profound concern, stating he was "terrified" by the technology's potential to revolutionize or "decimate" Hollywood careers.

ByteDance maintains that it respects intellectual property rights and has suspended user uploads of real people's images. The company asserts that controversial content emerged during a limited pre-launch testing phase and pledges to implement robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure regulatory compliance. However, the incident underscores the escalating tension between technological innovation and established copyright frameworks.