Hollywood declares war on ByteDance: Disney and Paramount hit Seedance 2.0 AI video

ByteDance is facing a fast-growing backlash from Hollywood after the debut of Seedance 2.0, an AI video generator that can create clips from text prompts. ByteDance positions Seedance 2.0 as a “cinematic” model that can also use reference inputs like images, audio, and video to help shape output.

The tool is currently only available in China, according to third-party media.

Copyright complaints center on training data and outputs

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has alleged that Seedance 2.0 is enabling large-scale unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works and has urged ByteDance to halt what it describes as infringing activity.

Separately, SAG-AFTRA has condemned the tool as well, arguing that it facilitates unauthorized use of performers’ voices and likenesses and raises consent issues for working actors.

Disney and Paramount cease-and-desist claims are being reported, not published

Reporting from external media says Disney and Paramount have sent cease-and-desist letters tied to allegedly infringing Seedance 2.0 outputs, accusing ByteDance of distributing or reproducing protected intellectual property through generated videos. Those letters have not been posted publicly in full, so the specific claims are currently based on reported accounts rather than documents readers can verify directly.

ByteDance says changes are coming, but details are thin

ByteDance has said it respects intellectual property rights and that it is “taking steps” to strengthen safeguards meant to prevent users from generating unauthorized IP and likeness-based content. As of the latest statements quoted in reporting, ByteDance has not detailed what new protections will be added or when they will roll out.