Bitcoin 
Ethereum 
Tether 
BNB 
Solana 
XRP 
USDC 
Lido Staked Ether 
Cardano 
Avalanche 
Key Points:
-
OpenAI’s new Sora app lets users create short AI videos from text prompts.
-
Users are posting clips featuring copyrighted characters and brands.
-
Legal experts warn of rising copyright lawsuits against OpenAI.
-
OpenAI plans to work with rights holders to manage takedowns.
Sora app has legal risks that are becoming clear only days after its release. OpenAI’s new short-form video app has captured the internet’s attention, but experts believe it could also capture the attention of lawyers. The reason is simple: users are generating AI videos that feature copyrighted brands and characters without permission.
OpenAI launched Sora on iOS this week, letting people create videos by typing simple prompts. Access is currently invite-only, but that hasn’t stopped it from topping Apple’s App Store. The app’s fast rise reflects the excitement around AI creativity, yet it also highlights how copyright law struggles to keep pace with technology.
Popular brands caught in AI-generated clips
In its first few days, users have uploaded AI videos showing everything from Pokémon to SpongeBob and even Ronald McDonald. CNBC reported that one video featured OpenAI CEO Sam Altman standing next to Pokémon characters, joking, “I hope Nintendo doesn’t sue us.” Another showed Ronald McDonald driving a burger-shaped car while escaping police.
These examples may look harmless, but they sit in a legal gray zone. Under copyright law, characters like Pikachu or Ronald McDonald are protected works. Using them without authorization for public sharing can be considered infringement. Mark Lemley, a professor at Stanford Law School, told CNBC that OpenAI could face “a lot of copyright lawsuits” if these videos spread.
Why copyright law could become a problem
Copyright law protects creative works from being copied or imitated without permission. AI videos generated on Sora often recreate the look and feel of famous characters, making it hard to distinguish parody from violation. Lemley noted that companies like Disney, Universal, and Nintendo are especially aggressive in protecting their intellectual property.
Disney has already taken legal action against other AI startups, including Midjourney and Character.AI, for using its characters without authorization. If the same pattern follows, OpenAI could be next.
OpenAI said it will respect takedown requests from rights holders and block characters from the Sora app when asked. Varun Shetty, OpenAI’s head of media partnerships, told CNBC that people enjoy creating content that connects with characters they love. Still, he said OpenAI will work with companies to manage copyright disputes and respond to removal requests.
ANOTHER MUST-READ ON ICN.LIVE:
Sora’s viral success comes with responsibility
Sora’s rapid success shows how much users want creative control through AI. But every viral trend brings potential legal issues. If brands lose control over how their characters appear, the damage could extend beyond copyright, affecting public image and trust.
From my standpoint, the risk lies in how users mix imagination with ownership. When millions of people can produce AI videos featuring Mickey Mouse or Mario, it becomes nearly impossible for companies to track every case of infringement. The Sora app has legal risks not only for OpenAI but also for anyone sharing these creations online.
Highlights brands worry about AI impersonation
Legal experts point out that the issue goes beyond animation. If AI can generate realistic clips of real people, such as celebrities or politicians, it can create reputational harm. “You can imagine why Taylor Swift wouldn’t want videos of her saying things she never said,” Lemley explained. This concern mirrors the rise of deepfake videos that misrepresent public figures.
Sora’s system lets users report videos for copyright and trademark infringement directly through the app. There’s also a “Copyright Disputes” form for rights holders to flag content. OpenAI says this process allows for precise actions, character by character, instead of broad bans.
Still, such measures depend on human review, which can be slow when thousands of videos appear daily.
What this means for AI and legal accountability
The Sora app has legal risks that reflect a broader challenge across the AI industry. As generative tools spread, they make it easier for anyone to reproduce protected material. Lawmakers are still trying to define how copyright applies to AI-generated content.
The outcome of future lawsuits could shape the limits of AI creativity. If courts rule against companies like OpenAI, future AI apps might face stricter filters or licensing systems. For now, the balance between innovation and control remains delicate.
AI videos offer incredible creative freedom, but freedom comes with responsibility. OpenAI’s next step will show whether it can protect that freedom without crossing legal lines.
