Warner Bros. Condemns ByteDance for AI Videos Featuring Superman and Batman

Warner Bros. has publicly condemned ByteDance for what it describes as “blatant infringement” regarding its AI video service. The studio’s legal team communicated their concerns in a letter to ByteDance’s general counsel, John Rogovin, who previously held a similar role at Warner Bros.

Concerns Over Copyright Infringement

Wayne Smith, the executive vice president of legal at Warner Bros., emphasized the value of iconic characters like Superman and Batman. He pointed out that these characters are essential to the company’s identity and revenue. Smith criticized ByteDance for enabling the creation of unauthorized content featuring these beloved figures.

Demands from Warner Bros.

• Warner Bros. has asked ByteDance to stop using its characters for training AI.
• The studio requested the implementation of safeguards to prevent future infringements.

ByteDance recently launched Seedance 2.0, claiming it offers improved video quality. However, the release quickly resulted in a surge of unauthorized content on social media, featuring mashups like Batman versus Spider-Man and Superman versus Thanos, alongside alternative endings to popular shows.

Industry Backlash

Following the launch, organizations such as the Motion Picture Association and SAG-AFTRA criticized the platform. Major studios, including Disney and Paramount, responded with cease and desist letters against ByteDance.

ByteDance’s Response

In response to the accusations, ByteDance assured users that it would enhance protections against unauthorized content. However, Warner Bros. contends that the focus on user actions overlooks the root issue. Smith pointed out that users are effectively acting on the infringement already enabled by the design of Seedance, which featured Warner Bros. characters from the outset.

Specific Allegations

Warner Bros. referenced specific instances of copyright infringement in its communication. The letter noted videos available on X (formerly Twitter) that displayed characters from franchises such as:

• The Matrix
• The Lord of the Rings
• Harry Potter
• Rick and Morty
• Game of Thrones

Additionally, the letter mentioned unauthorized fight scenes involving characters like Batman, Catwoman, and Superman.

Suggestions for Improvement

Despite recognizing ByteDance’s initial attempts to block certain text prompts related to its characters, Warner Bros. questioned why such preventive measures were not in place at the platform’s launch. The studio remains hopeful for a resolution through direct negotiations with ByteDance, stressing the need for stronger protective measures moving forward.