Hollywood isn't happy about the new Seedance 2.0 video generator (techcrunch.com)

Hollywood is expressing strong discontent over ByteDance's newly launched AI video generator, Seedance 2.0, which critics allege facilitates blatant copyright infringement. The updated model, accessible to users of ByteDance's Jianying app in China and soon to Global CapCut users, allows users to generate short videos by inputting simple text prompts. However, its potential for creating videos using the likenesses of real people and copyrighted characters has alarmed industry stakeholders, leading to calls for stricter regulations on AI-generated content. The Motion Picture Association and other Hollywood organizations, including SAG-AFTRA, vehemently oppose Seedance 2.0, arguing that it undermines copyright law and threatens the livelihoods of creators. Notably, the service has already produced unauthorized content featuring iconic characters from Disney franchises, prompting the company to issue a cease-and-desist letter, accusing ByteDance of exploiting Disney's intellectual property. As the debate intensifies, the implications of Seedance 2.0 raise critical questions about the balance between technological advancement and the protection of artistic rights in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and machine learning.