Film studio association issues new censure against ByteDance’s AI tool
Social Media Today
by Andrew HutchinsonFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has taken a strong stance against ByteDance's AI tool, Seedance 2.0, by sending a cease and desist letter. The MPA, representing major Hollywood studios like Disney and Universal, accuses ByteDance of unauthorized use of copyrighted material through its AI tool, which can generate movie-like scenes using text prompts. This action follows concerns over the potential for widespread copyright infringement, as Seedance 2.0 has been used to recreate recognizable characters and complex effects from popular films.
ByteDance responded by acknowledging copyright protections but did not satisfy MPA's demands for immediate restrictions on the AI tool's use. The MPA emphasizes that this issue reflects broader challenges in the AI era regarding data sourcing, particularly when AI models are trained using pirated content to enhance their capabilities. This practice raises significant concerns for rights holders who invest substantial time and resources into creating original works.
The situation underscores the growing battle between IP creators and AI developers, with MPA asserting that ByteDance's actions disregard established copyright laws that protect creators and support millions of jobs. The conflict highlights the difficulties in enforcing IP rights against AI tools capable of replicating creative content at scale, potentially leading to years of legal battles.
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Originally published on Social Media Today on 2/23/2026