Sony Pictures Entertainment has joined the chorus of Hollywood studios sending cease-and-desist letters to ByteDance. The studio claims that the company has released an AI video tool that can copy famous characters without permission. Sony general counsel Jill Ratner wrote that the model creates output similar to Sony’s content and uses well-known characters. He added that within days of the tool’s release, compromised videos were spread across social media.
What is Seadance 2.0?
ByteDance calls its software Seedance 2.0. This program uses artificial intelligence to generate short videos from text prompts. Users can ask the tool to place their favorite movie heroes or comic book characters into new scenes. The company says the tool will help creators create fresh content quickly. However, there is no built-in copyright protection, so AI can reproduce protected images and sounds.
Studio reaction
Sony is not acting alone. Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros. all sent similar letters demanding that ByteDance remove the ability for users to create videos using the studio’s characters. The Motion Picture Association and Actors Guild also expressed concern. They argue that the release of Seedance 2.0 threatens the value of intellectual property and could harm creators who rely on licensing agreements.
Sony warned in the letter that the company should never launch this tool without proper guardrails. The studio said it would not tolerate late or half-hearted measures. Sony’s legal team is calling on ByteDance to immediately discontinue this feature and add stronger copyright filters before future AI releases.
ByteDance’s reaction
ByteDance responded that it is working to strengthen safety measures. The company announced it will add new filters to block copyrighted characters and increase oversight of the videos it produces. It also said it would work with studios to develop better protection methods.
Despite the promises, Hollywood studios remain skeptical. They claim the damage has already been done, as thousands of infringing videos have already been shared online. The studio intends to continue its legal pressure until a reliable solution is found.
The fight over AI-generated video highlights a larger debate about how technology and copyright law coexist. As AI tools become more powerful, creators, studios, and technology companies must find a balance that fosters innovation while protecting rights.
Source: Rap
