OpenAI launched its Sora 2 AI video generation model on September 30, quickly encountering significant copyright concerns that prompted an immediate policy revision for handling copyrighted content across various media franchises.
In a blog post published on October 3, CEO Sam Altman announced a comprehensive policy update designed to address mounting legal challenges. The new approach will implement an opt-in model requiring explicit permission from copyright holders before generating content featuring their intellectual property. Altman emphasized that rightsholders will receive “granular control over character generation,” mirroring existing likeness protection frameworks.
The policy shift emerged after numerous Sora-generated videos surfaced online featuring characters from prominent Japanese entertainment franchises. These included iconic properties from Nintendo, Pokémon, One Piece, Demon Slayer, and Studio Ghibli. A particularly notable example was a ten-second photorealistic video depicting Altman surrounded by Pokémon, with him quipping, “I hope Nintendo doesn’t sue us.”
Interestingly, early observations suggested inconsistent content restrictions. Sora appeared more hesitant to generate videos involving American intellectual properties like Marvel or Disney, while Japanese content faced fewer initial constraints. This discrepancy attracted significant attention from legal professionals and content creators.
Akihisa Shiozaki, a Japanese lawyer and House of Representatives member, publicly highlighted the potential legal and political ramifications. In a translated statement on X (formerly Twitter), Shiozaki urged immediate action to protect Japanese creators and the domestic content industry, questioning the differential treatment of various intellectual properties.
OpenAI’s acknowledgment of the “remarkable creative output of Japan” and the “deep connection between users and Japanese content” suggests a nuanced approach to navigating complex international copyright landscapes. The company’s proactive policy adjustment demonstrates an understanding of the critical importance of intellectual property rights in the rapidly evolving AI-generated content ecosystem.
