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Sony Joins Hollywood Protest Against Seedance 2.0 Over AI Copyright Theft

Sony Pictures has sent a cease and desist letter to ByteDance, demanding the removal of its intellectual property, including 'Breaking Bad' and 'Spider-Verse' films, from the Seedance 2.0 AI training data. The studio is the fifth major Hollywood player to protest, following Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros., and Netflix. Jill Ratner, Sony's general counsel, criticized the platform's "egregious" outputs and lack of copyright guardrails, demanding immediate action. The protest escalates as viral AI clips from shows like 'Game of Thrones' circulate and Netflix threatens "immediate litigation" if ByteDance does not comply.

Key Points: Sony, Netflix Protest Seedance AI Over Copyright Infringement

  • Sony demands IP removal
  • Fifth major studio to protest
  • AI clips of shows go viral
  • ByteDance promises stronger guardrails
  • Netflix threatens litigation
2 min read

Sony Pictures joins protest against Seedance 2.0 after 'Breaking Bad' AI clips goes viral

Sony Pictures demands ByteDance remove 'Breaking Bad' & 'Spider-Verse' from AI training data, joining Disney, Netflix in copyright protest.

"SPE will not tolerate delayed or half-baked measures. - Jill Ratner"

Washington DC, February 19

The Sony Pictures has joined the outcry against Seedance 2.0, the Chinese video platform that has united Hollywood studios in their condemnation of AI-generated copyright infringement, reported Variety.

In a cease and desist letter sent Wednesday, the studio demanded that ByteDance company to immediately remove its valuable IP including 'Breaking Bad' and the 'Spider-Verse' films from the Seedance AI training data.

"Given the egregious nature of Seedance 2.0's outputs and the complete lack of observable copyright guardrails at launch, SPE can only conclude that ByteDance's infringements are willful," wrote Jill Ratner, general counsel of Sony Pictures Entertainment, as quoted by Variety.

Sony is the fifth studio to lodge a protest directly with ByteDance, following similar letters from Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros. and Netflix.

According to the outelt, ByteDance has sought to reassure copyright holders that it will strengthen its measures to prevent copyright infringement and misuse of actors' likenesses, but that has not quelled the protest.

"SPE will not tolerate delayed or half-baked measures. Please contact us immediately to confirm that effective, robust, and meaningful guardrails are being implemented forthwith," said Ratner.

Seedance 2.0 AI clips have circulated on social media since last week, with users taking the opportunity to stage superhero fight scenes and create alternate endings of TV shows like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Stranger Things.'

The Motion Picture Association which represents all five studios, plus Amazon and Universal Studios was first out of the gate with its condemnation on February 12, when CEO Charles Rivkin called on ByteDance to immediately cease its infringement, reported Variety.

On Wednesday, Netflix threatened "immediate litigation" if the company did not comply.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a creator, this is a scary precedent. If platforms like Seedance can just scrape data, what's to stop them from using Bollywood films or regional cinema next? Strong copyright laws are needed globally.
V
Vikram M
On one hand, the fan-made clips sound fun – imagine AI creating alternate endings for Mahabharat or Baahubali! 😂 But on the serious side, permission and royalties are a must. Can't have tech companies bypassing creators.
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Priya S
Respectfully, while I agree copyright is important, the studios' reaction feels a bit heavy-handed. AI is the future. Instead of just sending legal threats, maybe they should collaborate and find a licensing model? Innovation shouldn't always be met with a lawsuit.
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Rohit P
ByteDance owns TikTok, right? They should know better. This isn't their first rodeo with copyright issues. Strong action is needed, or every platform will think they can get away with it. Jai ho to Sony for joining the fight.
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Michael C
Interesting to see all major studios unite. This is a global issue. I hope Indian regulatory bodies like the CBFC and the government are paying attention. We need clear AI and copyright guidelines before it's too late.

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