Disney Invests $1 Billion in OpenAI, Secures Character Licensing for Sora Video Instrument


Dec 11 (Reuters) – Walt Disney (DIS.N), opens new tab is investing $1 billion in OpenAI and can let the startup use characters from Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel franchises in its Sora AI video generator, an important deal that would reshape how Hollywood makes content material.

The three-year partnership introduced on Thursday is a pivotal step in Hollywood’s embrace of generative synthetic intelligence, side-stepping the trade’s considerations over the impression of AI on inventive jobs and mental property rights.

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As a part of the licensing deal, Sora and ChatGPT Photos will begin producing movies utilizing licensed Disney characters similar to Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Mufasa, from early subsequent 12 months. The settlement excludes any expertise likenesses or voices.

“By this collaboration with OpenAI we’ll thoughtfully and responsibly lengthen the attain of our storytelling by generative AI, whereas respecting and defending creators and their works,” Disney CEO Bob Iger stated.

TALKS BEGAN LONG AGO

Iger and OpenAI’s Sam Altman started speaking years in the past, as they explored a method to do extra to showcase the potential of generative AI, when mixed with Disney’s characters and tales, in accordance with one particular person aware of the talks.

Previous to the launch, OpenAI supplied the studio early seems to be at its image-generation instrument Sora, the supply who requested anonymity to debate the negotiations stated, including that Disney discovered OpenAI prepared to interact constructively on this dialogue.

Iger previewed a part of the technique throughout an investor name in November, saying AI would permit the corporate to supply Disney+ customers with instruments to create and devour user-generated content material, primarily in brief type.

Illustration shows Disney+ logo
Disney+ brand is seen on this illustration taken August 5, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Buy Licensing Rights, opens new tab

As a part of the settlement with OpenAI, a number of the movies by customers will likely be made out there for streaming on Disney+, permitting the streaming platform to capitalize on the rising attraction for short-form video content material.

The media conglomerate can even obtain warrants to buy extra fairness within the ChatGPT maker.

The businesses will use OpenAI’s fashions to construct new merchandise and buyer experiences, together with for Disney+ subscribers, whereas Disney will deploy ChatGPT for its staff.

The deal additionally consists of guiderails to guard towards the characters being depicted in inappropriate conditions and Disney additionally plans to make use of OpenAIs instruments for its inside functions to assist movie manufacturing because it seems to be to achieve effectivity, the supply stated.

The partnership comes months after Inventive Artists Company, Hollywood’s premier expertise company, criticized OpenAI for exposing artists to “vital danger” by Sora and questioned if inventive professionals could be compensated for his or her work.

“An leisure large partnering with an AI firm will inevitably invite backlash from labor teams within the leisure trade,” Emarketer analyst Ross Benes stated. “However unions’ energy is restricted and they’re going to unlikely have the ability to stem the momentum of AI-produced media.”

CNBC reported earlier within the day that Disney despatched a stop and desist letter to Google alleging the corporate infringed its copyrights.
Disney and Comcast’s (CMCSA.O), opens new tab Common had in June filed a copyright lawsuit towards AI photograph era agency Midjourney for its use of the studios’ best-known characters.

Reporting by Daybreak Chmielewski in San Francisco and Deborah Sophia and Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Enhancing by Arun Koyyur

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas., opens new tab



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