ByteDance has promised to strengthen safeguards on its new AI video generator, Seedance 2.0, following backlash from Hollywood studios over copyright issues. The tool, released less than a week ago, generated a viral clip featuring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, prompting cease-and-desist letters from Disney and Paramount Skydance.
ByteDance released Seedance 2.0, an AI video-making tool, less than a week before February 16, 2026. The release quickly drew criticism after a viral AI-generated clip depicted Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in a fight, enraging artists and raising concerns about intellectual property infringement.
Multiple cease-and-desist letters have been sent to ByteDance regarding Seedance 2.0. On Friday, the Walt Disney Company issued one, claiming the tool uses "a pirated library of Disney's copyrighted characters from Star Wars, Marvel, and other Disney franchises, as if Disney's coveted intellectual property were free public domain clip art." Disney provided examples including videos with Spider-Man and Darth Vader.
Paramount Skydance has also reportedly issued a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance to stop the use of its materials, according to the BBC.
In response, ByteDance issued a statement to the BBC: "We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property and likeness by users." The company added that it "respects intellectual property rights and we have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0." ByteDance did not provide further details on how it plans to implement these changes when asked.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the AI industry over the use of likenesses and copyrighted material in generative tools.