Concerns are growing over misleading content and intellectual property infringement
AI-generated “remix” videos are rapidly gaining popularity in China, captivating millions of viewers with humorous and surreal reinterpretations of classic movies and TV series. While these videos are widely considered entertaining, they have also raised concerns that they may mislead young viewers and infringe on copyright.
One of the most controversial examples concerns artificial intelligence-edited versions of classics. Journey to the WestIn , the revered Monkey King is transformed into a grotesque caricature that conveys vulgar dialogue. Some AI-altered videos contain graphic violence and foul language, leading parents to worry about their children’s understanding of history, cultural values, and mental health.
A man from Shaanxi province, surnamed Han, said he was concerned about the impact such videos would have on his 10-year-old son. “I read Romance of the Three Kingdoms Having watched the 1994 TV series, I can tell what’s real and what’s fake. But my son can’t do that,” he told China Youth Daily, underscoring the danger of misinformation.
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Legal experts have warned that many AI remixes could violate Chinese law. Beijing Internet Court judge Zhu Ge said such editing could violate intellectual property rights, even if short clips were used.
“Movie and television works are protected by copyright law. Any unauthorized use of creative expression, regardless of length, constitutes copyright infringement,” she said.
Zhu added that AI-edited videos that misuse a celebrity’s image or distort their likeness may infringe on publicity rights. Content that ridicules cultural symbols or promotes vulgarity may also violate regulations governing public order.
Pei Yue, a lawyer at W&H Law Firm, expressed similar concerns, pointing out that distorting the image of historical figures and heroes could violate the right to reputation and honor. “Serious incidents, especially those involving heroic martyrs, may even be criminal offenses under Chinese law,” he told Xinhua news agency.
In response to this growing trend, the National Radio and Television Authority launched a month-long campaign from January 1 targeting unauthorized, disrespectful, or low-quality reinterpretations of the four classic novels, historical dramas, works with revolutionary themes, and depictions of national heroes.
The government said AI technology must not distort cultural classics or undermine socialist core values, and urged creators to responsibly pursue innovation.
It also required online platforms to step up content reviews, remove non-compliant content, and suspend accounts that repeatedly violate the rules, with the aim of curbing the spread of AI-altered videos that violate cultural and legal boundaries.
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Pei said new works created using AI should be encouraged, but urged creators to check copyright ownership before using existing material. “Please check official sources such as copyright registration platforms and obtain written permission,” he said.
He noted that while non-commercial use of limited excerpts for explanatory or educational purposes usually carries limited legal risks, commercial distribution or distortion of serious subject matter may cross legal lines.
“AI-powered remix videos are essentially no different from past film adaptations or remakes,” Zhu said. “The core issue is not the technology itself, but the people behind the technology. What matters is whether their actions violate rights or disrupt public order.”
Contact the author: caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn
