ByteDance has paused plans for the global launch of its AI video model Seedance 2.0 following legal pressure from major Hollywood studios.
The delay comes after viral videos generated by the model, including a clip depicting Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt, triggered cease-and-desist letters from multiple studios. Disney’s lawyers accused ByteDance of a “virtual smash-and-grab of Disney’s IP,” according to The Information.
The Chinese company launched Seedance 2.0 domestically in February and had scheduled a mid-March global release. Engineers and lawyers are now working to address potential legal issues before proceeding, The Information reported.
The viral content drew sharp criticism from industry figures. One successful screenwriter stated that the footage meant, “It’s likely over for us,” referring to the threat to writers’ livelihoods.
ByteDance promised to implement stronger intellectual property safeguards in response to the complaints. ByteDance, best known as TikTok’s parent organization, remains a minority shareholder in the platform’s U.S. spinoff amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny. The company has faced previous IP disputes over AI-generated content featuring copyrighted characters.
