The Writers Guild of America said Disney's huge licensing deal with OpenAI appears to “sanction” the “theft of our work” by AI companies.
“Disney's announcement about OpenAI appears to sanction Disney's theft of our work and transfer the value of what we create to the tech companies that have built their businesses on our backs,” the union said in a message to members Thursday. The WGA said it will “meet with Disney to explore the terms of this agreement, including the extent to which user-generated videos use WGA members' copyrighted material. We will continue to fight to protect the creative and economic interests of our members in the context of AI technology.”
Under a three-year licensing agreement with Disney, OpenAI's Sora will be able to generate user-directed videos from a set of more than 200 masked, animated, or creature characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars. Sora and ChatGPT Images plan to begin producing “fan-inspired” videos featuring Disney-licensed characters in early 2026. Additionally, as part of the deal, Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI.
According to a message to WGA members, “Companies, including OpenAI, have stolen vast libraries of works owned by studios and created by WGA members and Hollywood workers to train artificial intelligence systems. We have repeatedly called on studios to take legal action to protect the valuable intellectual property we help create.”
Disney said its contract with OpenAI does not include the likeness or voice of the talent. OpenAI is also not allowed to use Disney intellectual property to train its AI models.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google, claiming that Google's AI platform is causing “massive” copyright infringement of Disney IP. The WGA applauded the move, saying Disney's cease-and-desist letter to Google recognizes the value of the intellectual property that authors help create and “continues to pressure companies to take action.”
Representatives for Disney and OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment.
Actors union SAG-AFTRA issued a warning statement about the Disney-OpenAI deal, saying it would “closely monitor” the situation.
“SAG-AFTRA will closely monitor the contract and its implementation to ensure compliance with applicable laws protecting the contract and image, voice and likeness,” the union said. “SAG-AFTRA members are very aware of the rapidly expanding use of intellectual property and personal likenesses and voices by generative AI tools, and SAG-AFTRA remains vigilant about such uses.”
SAG-AFTRA went on to say, “We appreciate Disney and OpenAI's independent engagement with us on this issue and their assurances that they will continue to put systems in place to meet their contractual and legal obligations to performers and ensure the ethical and responsible use of this technology.”
The union said it had been in “candid discussions” with OpenAI for several months about protecting performers. “The ongoing dialogue reflects an important commitment to consider the concerns of SAG-AFTRA members in the safeguards that apply to image, likeness, voice, performance, and intellectual property rights generally,” the union said.
Disney characters available in AI-generated creations include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Big Hero 6, Simba, Mufasa, and characters from films and series such as Encanto, Frozen, Inside Head, Moana, Monsters, Inc., Toy Story, Up, and Zootopia. The agreement also includes animated and illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters such as Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Thanos, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, The Mandalorian, Stormtroopers, and Yoda.
Disney+ will allow users to watch select videos produced by Sora. OpenAI and Disney also said they will work together to use OpenAI's model to “deliver new experiences to Disney+ subscribers and drive innovative and creative ways to connect with Disney stories and characters.”
