Studios are collectively calling out OpenAI over Sora 2 for generating characters that infringe on their copyrights.
Introduced last week, the AI service allows users to generate characters using copyrighted material.
In a statement, MPA Chairman Charles Rivkin said, “Since Sora 2’s release, videos that infringe our members’ films, shows, and characters have proliferated on OpenAI’s service and across social media. While OpenAI clarified it will ‘soon’ offer rightsholders more control over character generation, they must acknowledge it remains their responsibility – not rightsholders’ – to prevent infringement on the Sora 2 service. OpenAI needs to take immediate and decisive action to address this issue. Well-established copyright law safeguards the rights of creators and applies here.”
Last week, OpenAI’s Sam Altman wrote that “we will give rightsholders more granular control over generation of characters, similar to the opt-in model for likeness but with additional controls.”
An OpenAI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The MPA statement reflected what has been a more aggressive posture among studios for the use of their material in generative AI. The Walt Disney Co., NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. have sued Midjourney over the use of copyrighted characters, ranging from Darth Vader to Minions, in their subscription service. Midjourney has claimed that the use of copyrighted characters in training models was a “fair use,” as its subscribers are the creators.
With the Trump administration taking a permissive approach to AI, and Congress unlikely to pass any major law to establish content guardrails, courts may ultimately weigh in to establish where the unauthorized use of IP stops being a “fair use” and infringes on copyright.
Sora debuted with an “opt out” system where copyright holders could withhold their material, but it has quickly caught the attention of content creators. Hollywood content creators have long railed against the current notice-and-takedown system of online piracy, believing that tech platforms should bear more responsibility for policing infringement.
Altman wrote, “We are hearing from a lot of rightsholders who are very excited for this new kind of ‘interactive fan fiction” and think this new kind of engagement will accrue a lot of value to them, but want the ability to specify how their characters can be used (including not at all).”
