The strategic partnership signed last week between Disney and AI giant OpenAI caused a sensation in the technology world. However, Disney CEO Bob Iger shared a crucial and previously unknown detail about the agreement in an interview with CNBC. According to Iger’s statements, the first year of the three-year licensing agreement will be exclusive to OpenAI. This means that after this one-year “exclusivity” period, Disney will be able to open its doors to other AI companies and enter into similar agreements.
Disney characters are coming to Sora: Details of the massive collaboration with OpenAI
This massive agreement covers the right to use a huge content library for Sora, the video creation tool developed by OpenAI. Users will be able to legally create content on Sora using more than 200 iconic characters from the Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars universes. Currently, OpenAI is the only AI platform with permission to use these characters. This gives the company a significant advantage over its competitors in terms of content richness.
For the entertainment giant, this move is essentially aimed at testing how generative AI can be combined with the company’s intellectual property rights. Disney plans to observe how the partnership with OpenAI progresses to chart a roadmap for its future strategies. Once the one-year exclusive period expires, the company will be free to negotiate with other AI firms in the market.
Bob Iger also clearly stated his perspective on the rapid advancement of technology. He noted that no generation can stand in the way of technological progress, and emphasized that they have no intention of trying to do so. The CEO stated that they believe they must adapt to technological changes, even if it disrupts or alters their current business models.
Meanwhile, on the same day Disney announced its agreement with OpenAI, another noteworthy development occurred. The company sent a formal cease and desist letter to tech giant Google, alleging copyright infringement. Google has neither confirmed nor denied Disney’s claims at this stage, but stated that they will contact the company regarding the matter. This situation demonstrates Disney’s strong stance against unlicensed use and the importance it places on licensed collaborations.
What are your thoughts on this rapid integration of AI technologies with copyright and creative industries? Do you think using beloved film characters in AI-generated videos is a positive step?
