Disney Sends Cease-and-Desist to ByteDance Over AI Tool’s Alleged Copyright Violations
Disney has issued a cease-and-desist order to ByteDance, alleging its new AI tool, Seedance 2.0, unlawfully uses copyrighted Disney characters. The entertainment giant claims ByteDance is reproducing and distributing derivative works featuring assets from franchises like Star Wars and Marvel without authorization.
Legal counsel for Disney described the infringement as "willful, pervasive, and totally unacceptable," suggesting the violations may escalate as the tool gains traction. Seedance 2.0 has also reportedly generated content using intellectual property from "The Lord of the Rings" and likenesses of prominent actors.
The dispute highlights growing tensions between content creators and AI developers over copyright boundaries in generative technology. Disney's aggressive stance signals its intent to protect its valuable IP portfolio as AI capabilities advance.