Sam Altman says Sora will add ‘granular,’ opt-in copyright controls

OpenAI is shifting its stance on copyright management with the introduction of its video application, Sora. Ahead of Sora's launch, reports indicated that the company had informed Hollywood entities that they would need to opt out explicitly if they wished to exclude their intellectual property from Sora's content generation. Despite being released as an invite-only platform, Sora has swiftly risen to the top of App Store rankings. One of its hallmark features is the option for users to upload their biometric data, allowing them to see their digital avatars in AI-generated videos. However, this has led to some users pushing the boundaries of copyright, creating videos that feature popular characters owned by studios, sometimes even portraying them in scenarios where they critique copyright practices. In a recent blog post, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced forthcoming changes to Sora, aimed at enhancing the control copyright holders have over the use of their characters. This will involve an opt-in system, giving creators more detailed authority over how their intellectual property is utilized in video generation. Altman noted, "We are hearing from a lot of rightsholders who are very excited for this new kind of 'interactive fan fiction,' and they want to dictate how their characters can be used, including the option not to allow their use at all." While this new model aims to respect copyright, Altman also recognized that there might be instances where unauthorized content slips through the cracks. Additionally, he hinted at plans for video monetization, which previously included charging users during peak demand. Altman elaborated that the approach could evolve to share revenue with content creators. He expressed optimism that the engagement generated through this model would exceed mere financial returns, stating, "Our hope is that the new kind of engagement is even more valuable than the revenue share, but of course we want both to be valuable."