OpenAI Enhances Sora 2 with Granular Rights Controls Amidst Copyright Controversies
OpenAI responds to copyright concerns over its Sora 2 video platform by introducing enhanced rights controls for content creators and rights holders.
- • OpenAI will add granular control features for rights holders on Sora 2 to manage character likeness usage.
- • The update addresses criticisms over unauthorized use of copyrighted material in AI-generated videos, such as a viral SpongeBob parody.
- • WME opted out all clients from Sora 2 due to intellectual property concerns, prompting OpenAI's response.
- • Sam Altman indicated possible future revenue-sharing and NFT integration with new rights controls.
Key details
OpenAI is preparing to update Sora 2, its AI-driven text-to-video platform, by introducing more granular controls allowing rights holders to manage how their characters and likenesses are used in generated videos. This follows significant criticism over Sora 2's ability to recreate copyrighted characters without explicit permission, as widely exemplified by viral content such as a SpongeBob SquarePants parody video depicting meth cooking scenes, which raised major copyright and ethical concerns in the industry.
Currently, Sora 2 operates under an opt-out framework for copyrighted material, prompting agencies like WME to opt out all their clients fearing misuse of intellectual property. Sam Altman acknowledged these issues and outlined plans to empower rights owners with more nuanced authority to set conditions for character generation, addressing industry demands and aiming to balance creative freedom with intellectual property protections. OpenAI has also hinted at future revenue-sharing mechanisms connected to these controls, potentially integrating newer models like NFT intellectual property.
The rollout date for these rights management tools has not been specified, but the update is expected soon as Sora 2 remains in limited testing. Meanwhile, OpenAI defends its use of copyrighted content under fair use doctrines, though legal challenges continue from Hollywood studios over AI-generated copyrighted works. The developments reflect OpenAI's ongoing efforts to navigate copyright complexities as it expands its AI video creation capabilities amid growing scrutiny around the safety and legality of its outputs.