ByteDance Restricts Seedance AI Tool Following Copyright Concerns

ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, has limited the capabilities of its AI video tool Seedance 2.0. This comes after Disney, Sag-Aftra, and other organizations accused it of breaching copyright laws.

The AI tool, which launched in June last year, allows users to create video clips of celebrities and fictional characters from short text descriptions. Disney, Hollywood studios, and the Motion Picture Association (MPA) recently claimed massive unauthorized use of copyrighted material by the tool. This move highlights broader tensions about AI’s role in media creation.

Why are Hollywood studios concerned?

Hollywood actors and studios argue that Seedance 2.0 improperly reproduces protected works without authorization. The actors’ union Sag-Aftra expressed concern about the potential misuse of performers’ likenesses. Major studios say tools like this pose significant risks to intellectual property rights.

How is ByteDance responding?

In response to mounting criticism, ByteDance announced plans to introduce stricter controls for Seedance 2.0. These changes aim to ensure compliance with copyright laws and reduce its potential misuse. ByteDance has yet to specify detailed measures or a timeline for implementation.

The broader industry remains divided in its approach to AI. While Disney has taken legal steps against certain AI tools, it has also partnered with AI innovators like OpenAI to explore compliant applications of similar technologies.

Key facts about the Seedance 2.0 controversy

• Seedance 2.0 launched in June 2022 as an AI video generator.
• The tool faced backlash for creating clips featuring copyrighted characters.
• Disney and Sag-Aftra filed complaints, citing copyright and likeness misuse.
• ByteDance has announced restrictions for the tool but provided few details.

This dispute underscores the evolving challenges AI tools face in navigating intellectual property law while advancing creativity and content creation technologies.

For AI enthusiasts and content marketers, tools like Seedance highlight both the potential and pitfalls of AI in creative industries. Developers and SEO specialists working with platforms like WordPress should monitor these shifts for their implications.

Meanwhile, those seeking alternatives could explore Image Creator, a solution designed with content customization in mind.

Source: The Guardian

Source: The Guardian