OpenAI is revising its Sora copyright policy in response to concerns over intellectual property rights. The Sora 2 app, which enables users to create short AI videos from text prompts, has recently faced scrutiny for generating content featuring well-known characters and brands. As a result, legal experts have warned of potential copyright lawsuits against the company.
Changes in Sora’s Policy
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the platform will give rights holders greater control over their intellectual property. In a blog post, he indicated that the company has been collecting feedback from creators and will implement an “opt-in” model. This approach allows intellectual property owners to determine how their characters can be used.
- Rights holders will have more “granular control” over character generation.
- Users may generate content featuring characters only if rights holders opt in.
According to Altman, this change aims to engage rights holders positively. He mentioned that many creators are excited about “interactive fan fiction” opportunities but want to manage how their characters are represented. Additionally, OpenAI plans to explore revenue-sharing options with rights holders whose characters appear in user-generated videos.
Opt-Out Model and Legal Concerns
The Wall Street Journal reported that the default model for Sora will require rights holders to opt out if they do not want their IP included in generated content. This has raised questions about its alignment with current copyright laws. Business Insider’s Peter Kafka criticized this “laborious” opt-out method, suggesting it may not comply with legal norms.
Previous Copyright Challenges
This is not the first instance of OpenAI facing criticism from creators. In 2024, actress Scarlett Johansson expressed her anger over a voice model that resembled hers, which OpenAI later denied as intentional. The company also faced backlash for allowing users to generate Studio Ghibli-style images, reigniting debates over copyright infringement related to renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki’s work.
Furthermore, OpenAI is currently involved in copyright lawsuits with notable media entities and authors, including The New York Times and George R.R. Martin. These ongoing legal battles underscore the complex relationship between AI technologies and intellectual property rights.
