Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI's Sora 2 Faces Copyright Backlash, Shifts Policy

Published OCT 6 2025

Story

Above: A photo illustration of the Sora 2 logo displayed on a smartphone with the OpenAI logo in the background. Image credit: Algi Febri Sugita/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

The Facts

OpenAI has promised to introduce tighter copyright controls for its new product, Sora 2, after users employed the app to produce numerous videos depicting copyrighted and studio-owned material.
TechRadar
TechCrunch
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Sora 2, an AI video and audio generation tool that works off text prompts, was launched by OpenAI on Sept. 30 as an invite-only application, but has since topped the Apple App Store’s download charts.
Openai
Apple
Following its release, multiple media outlets reported that users were creating videos featuring characters from copyrighted properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Rick and Morty, South Park and Pokémon, among others.
Guardian
Insights by MiTrade
In response, Sam Altman said OpenAI was “learning quickly” from user feedback and would implement opt-in “granular controls” over character generation for rights-holders, which Altman compared to those for individual likeness, but with “additional” measures.
Sam Altman
The OpenAI CEO also revealed plans to introduce revenue-sharing arrangements with copyright holders who allow their characters to appear in user-generated videos, as video generation on the app exceeded OpenAI’s expectations.
Sam Altman
The development marks a deviation from OpenAI’s initial approach, with the Wall Street Journal reporting before Sora 2’s launch that OpenAI was trialling an opt-out copyright policy, which required right-holders to inform OpenAI if they did not want their property featured on the app.
The Wall Street Journal
PC Gamer

Sources Split

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The Spin

Techno-optimist narrative

Users have spoken, and OpenAI has listened. In response to the feedback since Sora 2’s launch, OpenAI is taking active steps to address copyright concerns by placing power in the hands of rightsholders, who will gain more control through the new opt-in systems as well as revenue from the authorized use of copyrighted material.

Sam Altman

Techno-skeptic narrative

With the release of Sora 2, OpenAI is deliberating pushing the limits of copyright law. Having tested the waters with its Studio Ghibli-style image generation, the organization is now attempting to undermine copyright altogether by producing tools it knows will violate intellectual property and releasing them to the public.

THE DECODER

Cynical narrative

Sora 2’s hyper-realistic imagery presents a very real social and political concern. Through simple prompts, malicious users will be able to create vast volumes of sophisticated and life-like disinformation at the touch of a button. Given the effects misinformation has on political discourse, it is easy to see how this tool could worsen the situation.