Warner Bros sent a strong letter to ByteDance on Tuesday. The studio warned the Chinese tech giant that its AI video platform Seedance 2.0 is using Warner Bros characters without permission. The platform lets users create videos that show Superman, Batman and even Game of Thrones figures. Warner Bros says this is a clear case of AI video copyright infringement.
What the Cease and Desist Letter Says
Wayne Smith, the executive vice president of legal at Warner Bros, wrote that the users are not the cause of the problem. He explained that Seedance 2.0 arrives pre loaded with Warner Bros Discovery characters. Smith called the design a deliberate choice by ByteDance. He also named ByteDance general counsel John Rogovin, noting his past role at Warner Bros.
Smith wrote, “ByteDance is now engaged in blatant infringement of the very same properties you spent many years protecting.” The letter demands that ByteDance add guardrails to stop the creation of unauthorized videos. It also asks the company to act quickly, because the safeguards could have been built before the public launch.
Industry Reaction to the Dispute
Warner Bros joins Disney and Paramount in sending cease and desist letters to ByteDance. The Motion Picture Association and SAG AFTRA have also spoken out. SAG AFTRA says that the likenesses of its members are being copied without consent. This adds pressure on ByteDance to protect actors’ rights.
In response, ByteDance said it has listened to other studios. The company promised to add safeguards, but Warner Bros notes that the promises came after the platform was already available. The studio wonders why simple guardrails were not in place from day one.
What Comes Next for AI Generated Content
Both sides hope the issue can be solved through business talks. Warner Bros sees the recent pledge as a hopeful sign, yet it still demands immediate action. The broader media world watches closely, because the outcome could set a precedent for how AI generated content is regulated.
Legal experts say that AI video copyright infringement cases will rise as more tools appear. Studios are likely to tighten contracts and push for stronger technology safeguards. For creators, the message is clear: using protected characters without permission can lead to legal trouble.
Fans of DC superheroes and Game of Thrones should expect fewer AI videos that misuse these brands, at least if the studios succeed in their demands. The battle between big studios and AI platforms is just beginning, and the rules are still being written.
Source: The Wrap
