ByteDance launched Seedance 2.0 just days ago, sparking widespread backlash from artists after a viral AI-generated video depicted Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in a fictional fight. The tool has already drawn multiple cease-and-desist notices over alleged copyright violations.
Company Pledges Enhanced Protections
ByteDance announced plans to reinforce safeguards against unauthorized use of intellectual property and likenesses. In a statement, the company affirmed, “We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property and likeness by users.” ByteDance emphasized that it “respects intellectual property rights and we have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0.”
Details on implementation remain undisclosed, as the company has not elaborated further.
Disney Issues Formal Warning
The Walt Disney Company sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance on Friday. Disney accused Seedance 2.0 of incorporating a pirated library featuring copyrighted characters from Star Wars, Marvel, and other franchises, treating them like public domain assets. Examples included videos with Spider-Man and Darth Vader.
Additional Challenges from Paramount Skydance
Paramount Skydance has also delivered a cease-and-desist notice, demanding ByteDance halt the use of its materials in the AI video generator.
