OpenAI’s Sora 2 AI video generation service has been a constant topic of controversy since its launch. Early concerns centered around rampant videos using copyrighted material without permission. More recently, the controversy deepened when the estate of Martin Luther King Jr. publicly pushed back against the service.
Several Sora 2-generated videos circulated online portraying disrespectful depictions of the late civil rights leader, prompting a formal response from the estate. In reaction, OpenAI announced it is banning depictions of Martin Luther King Jr. on Sora 2 following the estate’s request. OpenAI stated that no offense was intended and described this move as part of a broader effort to “strengthen guardrails for historical figures.”
However, OpenAI also clarified that historical figures, or those responsible for their images, must still proactively request to opt out of having their likeness used on the platform. While Sora 2 is notably versatile, this opt-out system has drawn criticism, especially regarding intellectual property (IP) and the personal images of famous individuals.
Part of the broader controversy stems from OpenAI placing the burden of opting out on IP holders, rather than proactively preventing unauthorized use. This approach has been strongly denounced by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), which has called on OpenAI to take “immediate and decisive action” to stop the infringement of IP that it does not own, rather than placing responsibility on copyright owners to protect their own content.
As AI-generated content continues to evolve, the tension between innovation and intellectual property rights remains a pressing concern for creators, companies, and legal entities alike.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146403/openai-sora-2-martin-luther-king-jr-deepfake
