Hollywood Condemns ByteDance's New AI Video Generator Seedance 2.0

The Motion Picture Association and other industry groups say the tool enables 'blatant' copyright infringement on a massive scale.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hollywood organizations are pushing back against ByteDance's new AI video model called Seedance 2.0, which they say has quickly become a tool for 'blatant' copyright infringement. The Motion Picture Association has demanded that ByteDance 'immediately cease its infringing activity', while the Human Artistry Campaign and SAG-AFTRA have also condemned the tool. Disney has sent a cease-and-desist letter accusing ByteDance of a 'virtual smash-and-grab of Disney's IP' by reproducing, distributing, and creating derivative works featuring characters like Spider-Man, Darth Vader, and Grogu.

Why it matters

The launch of Seedance 2.0 highlights the growing tension between the entertainment industry and AI companies over the use of copyrighted material. While AI tools like this can enable new forms of creativity, the lack of meaningful safeguards against infringement is a major concern for studios and unions that rely on protecting intellectual property rights.

The details

Seedance 2.0 is a new AI video model launched by ByteDance, the Chinese company that recently finalized a deal to sell TikTok's U.S. operations. The updated model, currently available to Chinese users of ByteDance's Jianying app and soon to be available globally on its CapCut app, allows users to create short 15-second videos by entering a text prompt. This has led to the creation of videos featuring the likenesses of real people as well as copyrighted characters from studios like Disney.

  • Seedance 2.0 was launched by ByteDance earlier this week.
  • ByteDance says the updated model will soon be available to global users of its CapCut app.

The players

ByteDance

The Chinese company that recently finalized a deal to sell TikTok's U.S. operations and has launched the Seedance 2.0 AI video model.

Motion Picture Association

The trade organization representing the major Hollywood studios, which has demanded that ByteDance 'immediately cease its infringing activity' with Seedance 2.0.

Human Artistry Campaign

An initiative backed by Hollywood unions and trade groups that has condemned Seedance 2.0 as 'an attack one very creator around the world'.

SAG-AFTRA

The actors' union that has said it 'stands with the studios in condemning the blatant infringement enabled by Bytedance's new AI video model Seedance 2.0'.

Disney

The entertainment conglomerate that has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance accusing the company of a 'virtual smash-and-grab of Disney's IP' by reproducing, distributing, and creating derivative works featuring characters like Spider-Man, Darth Vader, and Grogu.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Disney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance over the use of its copyrighted characters in Seedance 2.0 videos, and the Motion Picture Association has demanded that ByteDance 'immediately cease its infringing activity'. The outcome of these legal actions will likely determine the future of Seedance 2.0 and set precedents for the use of AI-generated content featuring copyrighted material.

The takeaway

The launch of Seedance 2.0 highlights the growing tension between the entertainment industry and AI companies over the use of copyrighted material. While AI tools like this can enable new forms of creativity, the lack of meaningful safeguards against infringement is a major concern for studios and unions that rely on protecting intellectual property rights. This case will likely set important precedents for the future of AI-generated content and its relationship to existing copyright laws.