Major Anime Studios Unite Against OpenAI's Sora2 AI Controversy

The conflict between the anime industry and artificial intelligence (AI) has intensified. Eighteen leading manga and anime companies, including Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shogakukan, and Square Enix, have issued a joint statement against OpenAI’s video-audio generation system, Sora2.

Copyright Infringement Claims

These companies accuse Sora2 of violating copyright laws by utilizing their franchises and intellectual property without permission for its training. The concern is that Sora2's outputs too closely resemble original content, raising significant legal and ethical questions.

The Opt-Out System Dilemma

A critical aspect of the lawsuit focuses not just on copyright infringement but how Sora2 operates. The AI employs an Opt-Out system, meaning its access to content remains unless creators actively request its removal. This approach contradicts Japanese copyright law, which requires explicit permission (Opt-In) for usage. The collective voice of these eighteen companies argues that the existence of Sora2 cannot rest on the extensive infringement of their intellectual property.

Economic Impact of AI

The anime and manga industry generates billions of dollars and is currently experiencing unprecedented global expansion. This concern is echoed by the Japanese government and its Intellectual Property Strategy Office, which cautioned OpenAI, arguing that anime and manga are "irreplaceable treasures" that Japan proudly showcases.

Legal Action and Its Implications

This united statement from major companies transforms governmental apprehension into corporate legal action. The industry’s analysis reveals a fear that the unique artistic styles defining franchises like One Piece, Demon Slayer, or Fullmetal Alchemist may lose significance if easily replicated by AI technologies at minimal costs.

Demands from the Industry

The joint statement demands three actions:

1. Transparency regarding training data.
2. A shift to an Opt-In system that seeks permission first.
3. Adequate compensation for rights holders granting permission.

This solidified stance from the industry giants sets a powerful legal precedent in Asia, balancing technological innovation with the protection of creative works.

Global Repercussions

The outcome of the Sora2 case in Japan could have worldwide implications in the ongoing battle over copyright in the age of generative AI. If the lawsuit favors these prominent Japanese creatives, it might encourage other entertainment companies to join forces against AI tools that utilize or generate copyrighted material.

Conclusion

The alliance of these eighteen influential companies signals a clear commitment to not tolerate AI business models that capitalize on copyrighted content without consent. As an analyst, I believe this legal challenge could significantly change how content is generated with AI tools, prompting tech companies to avoid using protected works to evade legal penalties. Without respecting the Opt-In system, publishers risk seeing their valuable creations used to train their competitors without earning a single yen.

The ball is now in OpenAI's court, making this a crucial test for the future of AI technologies.

Source: Comics Beat