Hollywood teams say the AI video device makes use of the likeness of actors and others with out permission.
Published On 16 Feb 2026
China’s ByteDance has pledged to handle considerations over its new synthetic intelligence video generator, after Hollywood teams claimed Seedance 2.0 “blatantly” violates copyright and makes use of the likenesses of actors and others with out permission.
The firm, which owns TikTok, instructed The Associated Press information company on Sunday that it respects mental property rights and pledged motion to strengthen safeguards.
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The device, known as Seedance 2.0, is accessible solely in China for now and lets customers generate high-quality AI movies utilizing easy textual content prompts.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) said final 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, stated in a press release on February 10.
Screenwriter Rhett Reese, who wrote the Deadpool films, stated on X final week, “I hate to say it. It’s likely over for us.”
His publish was in response to Irish director Ruairi Robinson’s publish of a Seedance 2.0 video that went viral and reveals AI variations of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt preventing in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Actors union SAG-AFTRA stated on Friday it “stands with the studios in condemning the blatant infringement” enabled by Seedance 2.0.
“The infringement includes the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses. This is unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood,” SAG-AFTRA stated in a press release.
“Seedance 2.0 disregards law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent. Responsible AI development demands responsibility, and that is nonexistent here.”
ByteDance stated in response that it has heard the considerations relating to Seedance 2.0.
“We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property and likeness by users,” it instructed the AP.
Jonathan Handel, an leisure journalist and lawyer, instructed Al Jazeera the developments mark “the beginning of a difficult road” for the movie trade.
Until courts make a big ruling, AI-generated movies may have main implications on the movie trade,” he stated.
“Digital technology moves a lot quicker, and we are going to see in several years full-length movies that are AI-generated,” he stated.
These instruments are educated totally on unlicensed information, Handel stated, and the output may resemble faces and scenes from well-known films, “and so you’ve got copyrights, trademarks, all of those rights are implicated here”.