Disney has issued a cease-and-desist notice to Google, alleging massive copyright violations related to its AI tools, coinciding with a $1 billion partnership with OpenAI.
Disney has formally warned Google to cease its alleged copyright violations, sending a cease-and-desist notice on Wednesday. The notice accuses the tech giant of infringing on Disney’s copyrights on a “massive scale,” according to a report by Variety.
The letter, which was reviewed by Variety, claims that Google has used its artificial intelligence tools and services to commercially circulate unauthorized images and videos of Disney’s intellectual property. Disney’s letter describes Google as operating like a “virtual vending machine,” capable of reproducing, rendering, and distributing copies of Disney’s valuable library of copyrighted characters and other works.
Disney’s concerns extend beyond the sheer volume of alleged infringements. The letter highlights that many of the infringing images generated by Google’s AI services are branded with Google’s Gemini logo, which Disney argues falsely implies that the company has authorized and endorsed the use of its intellectual property.
The cease-and-desist notice specifically mentions that Google’s AI tools have been generating and utilizing material tied to beloved characters from popular franchises such as “Frozen,” “The Lion King,” “Moana,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Deadpool.” Disney’s portrayal of Google as a “virtual vending machine” suggests that the company is producing knockoff versions of its iconic characters, including Elsa, Deadpool, and a questionable depiction of Moana.
In response to the allegations, Google has not provided a definitive answer but has expressed its intention to engage with Disney on the matter. A spokesperson for Google stated, “We have a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship with Disney, and will continue to engage with them. More generally, we use public data from the open web to build our AI and have built additional innovative copyright controls like Google-extended and Content ID for YouTube, which give sites and copyright holders control over their content.”
This legal confrontation coincides with Disney’s announcement of a significant $1 billion, three-year partnership with OpenAI. This deal will allow OpenAI to utilize Disney’s most recognizable characters within its Sora AI video generator.
Under the new licensing agreement, Sora and ChatGPT Images are set to begin creating videos featuring approved Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Mufasa early next year. However, the partnership is limited strictly to the characters themselves and does not extend to the use of any actor’s likeness or voice.
Jatin Varma, the former CEO and Founder of Comic Con India, commented on the broader implications of AI in entertainment, stating, “There is no denying that AI tools can be useful, but when it comes to entertainment, we are deluged in AI slop. Most of the content on social media is AI slop. And any legitimate attempts at making content using AI have been mediocre. Writers, actors, animators, and VFX artists may see AI as a threat that can impact their space in the future.”
The situation between Disney and Google highlights the ongoing tensions in the entertainment industry regarding the use of AI and copyright protections, raising questions about the future of creative content in an increasingly digital landscape.
For more details, see Variety.