Disney is also making a $1bn equity investment in OpenAI.
Disney has agreed to license out many of its iconic characters to OpenAI’s Sora and ChatGPT.
The three-year licensing deal would see users gaining access to more than 200 copyrighted characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, including Mickey Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Yoda, characters from Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana and Monsters Inc, among many more.
This also includes costumes, props, vehicles and environments, but no talent likenesses or voices.
Users can freely use these characters starting in 2026 to generate “fan-inspired” videos on Sora. A curated selection Sora-generated videos will also be streamed on Disney+.
ChatGPT Images will also be able to access the Disney content, allowing users to generate AI images from the company’s licensed content.
Alongside the licensing agreement, Disney has also agreed to make a $1bn equity investment in OpenAI.
In addition, the company is also a major OpenAI customer now, and will use its APIs to build new products, tools and experiences, including for Disney+, while deploying ChatGPT for its employees.
“Through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works,” commented Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger.
“Bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s groundbreaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we’ve never seen before.”
OpenAI’s controversial AI video-generating platform Sora was launched last year, before a second iteration was launched in October of this year at a time when concerns around AI copyright infringement, fair use and issues such as information accuracy were at an all-time-high.
Prior to launching, the ChatGPT-maker sent talent agents and studios notifications warning them that their copyrighted materials will be used in Sora unless the creators or owners actively opt out.
Reuters reported at the time that Disney had been the first to take up the option.
The new agreement with Disney “shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences”, commented Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI.
AI partnerships are becoming common, with giant creative publishing companies allowing AI start-ups access to their content.
Just a few weeks ago, Warner Music Group (WMG) struck a partnership with AI music generator Suno, which they say will “open new frontiers in music creation”.
WMG struck the deal after settling its year-long copyright lawsuit with Suno. Just prior, Universal Music Group made a similar deal with Udio AI.
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