Studio Ghibli-backed content group warns OpenAI against using copyrighted works for Sora 2 AI model

Los Angeles, Nov 4 (PTI) A Japanese trade organisation, representing major publishers including Studio Ghibli, has sent a letter to the Sam Altman-led OpenAI, asking the company to refrain from using Japanese copyrighted content for the training of its artificial intelligence systems.

In the letter, sent on October 27, the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) asked OpenAI to stop using their animated content to train its Sora 2 AI video generation platform.

"CODA has confirmed that a large portion of content produced by Sora 2 closely resembles Japanese content or images. CODA has determined that this is the result of using Japanese content as machine learning data.

"In cases, as with Sora 2, where specific copyrighted works are reproduced or similarly generated as outputs, CODA considers that the act of replication during the machine learning process may constitute copyright infringement," the letter said.

The organisation also highlighted that OpenAI’s opt-out system for copyright holders runs in conflict with Japan’s copyright-infringement laws.

"Under Japan’s copyright system, prior permission is generally required for the use of copyrighted works, and there is no system allowing one to avoid liability for infringement through subsequent objections," it said.

In March this year, OpenAI released its most advanced image generator through an update on Chat GPT-4o, which allowed users to generate images in the style of Studio Ghibli's award-winning animated titles like “Spirited Away”, “Howl’s Moving Castle”, “My Friend Totoro”, “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and “The Wind Rises”.

At the an old interview of Miyazaki went viral on social media in which was seen commenting on AI generated animation.

In the short clip, Miyazaki said, “I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff, you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.” PTI SMR SMR RB