ByteDance pledges fixes to Seedance 2.0 after Hollywood copyright claims

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Briefing Summary

AI-generated

NEWSAR · AI

ByteDance has promised to address copyright concerns surrounding its new AI video generator, Seedance 2.0, after accusations from Hollywood groups. The Motion Picture Association (MPA) and actors union SAG-AFTRA claim the tool, currently available only in China, infringes on copyright by using unauthorized likenesses of actors and copyrighted works. The MPA urged ByteDance to cease the infringing activity, citing disregard for copyright law. ByteDance, owner of TikTok, responded by stating its respect for intellectual property rights and pledging to strengthen safeguards. The controversy arose after examples of Seedance 2.0 videos depicting AI versions of actors like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt went viral.

Confidence 0.90Sources 6Claims 5Entities 11

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Article analysis

Model · rule-based

Framing

Legal & Judicial

Technology

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AI-assessed

CalmNeutralAlarmist

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0.80 / 1.00

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Key claims

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SAG-AFTRA said it stands with the studios in condemning the blatant infringement enabled by Seedance 2.0.

quoteSAG-AFTRA

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Screenwriter Rhett Reese said, "It’s likely over for us."

quoteRhett Reese

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Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the MPA, stated ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activity.

quoteCharles Rivkin

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The Motion Picture Association (MPA) said Seedance 2.0 has engaged in unauthorized use of US copyrighted works on a massive scale.

quoteMotion Picture Association (MPA)

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ByteDance pledges to address concerns over Seedance 2.0 after Hollywood groups claimed it violates copyright.

factualArticle

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Full report

2 min read · 299 words

ByteDance pledges fixes to Seedance 2.0 after Hollywood copyright claimsHollywood groups say the AI video tool uses the likeness of actors and others without permission.Published On 16 Feb 2026China’s ByteDance has pledged to address concerns over its new artificial intelligence video generator, after Hollywood groups claimed Seedance 2.0 “blatantly” violates copyright and uses the likenesses of actors and others without permission.The company, which owns TikTok, told The Associated Press news agency on Sunday that it respects intellectual property rights and pledged action to strengthen safeguards.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Gaza mother’s grim ordeal: A search for missing son among mutilated bodieslist 2 of 3Netanyahu calls for dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme in any US deallist 3 of 3Israel’s move to register land ‘systematises dispossession’ of Palestiniansend of listThe tool, called Seedance 2.0, is available only in China for now and lets users generate high-quality AI videos using simple text prompts.The Motion Picture Association (MPA) said last week that Seedance 2.0 “has engaged in unauthorized use of US copyrighted works on a massive scale”.“By launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding well-established copyright law that protects the rights of creators and underpins millions of American jobs. ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activity,” Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the MPA, said in a statement on February 10.Screenwriter Rhett Reese, who wrote the Deadpool movies, said on X last week, “I hate to say it. It’s likely over for us.”His post was in response to Irish director Ruairi Robinson’s post of a Seedance 2.0 video that went viral and shows AI versions of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.Actors union SAG-AFTRA said on Friday it “stands with the studios in condemning the blatant infringement” enabled by Seedance 2.0.

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