ByteDance Ltd. says it is working to address copyright concerns after legal pressure from Disney and other major music rights holders over the use of their songs on the platform’s short-form video mixer SeeDance.
Disney, which owns music rights and labels through divisions like Hollywood Records and Buena Vista Music Group, along with other music industry players, has raised challenges to SeeDance 2.0’s use of copyrighted tracks without securing proper licenses.
In response, ByteDance said:
“We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users.”
SeeDance 2.0, launched late in 2025, has gained traction in markets across Asia and beyond. It works by blending social video formats with expanded music library integration. But its rapid adoption has drawn scrutiny over whether adequate music rights frameworks are in place, creating friction with rights holders concerned about unpaid royalties and control over how music is used commercially.
Videos generated by Seedance 2.0, which was released last week, have gone viral in China including one of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in a fight. The AI model has been compared to DeepSeek and has been praised for its ability to produce cinematic storylines with just a few prompts.
Representatives from Disney and associated music groups have declined to comment publicly on negotiations, but the firm’s pressure indicates that rights holders remain vigilant as large platforms experiment with new ways to pair music and social video.
Disney has taken similar actions in the past. The company once asked Character.AI to stop using its copyrighted characters without permission. However, Disney has also demonstrated a willingness to explore partnerships, when done through the right channels.
