Takeaways:
- CAA warns that OpenAI’s Sora 2 poses “serious and harmful risks” to creators’ intellectual property.
- The agency calls for fair compensation and stronger copyright protections.
- The entertainment industry is uniting to demand accountability from AI developers.
CAA Defends Creators Against AI Misuse
Leading Hollywood talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has publicly condemned OpenAI’s Sora 2, a video-generation model capable of creating realistic clips using copyrighted material.
“CAA is unwavering in our commitment to protect our clients and the integrity of their creations,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. “The misuse of new technologies carries consequences that reach far beyond entertainment and media, posing serious and harmful risks to individuals, businesses, and societies globally.”
The agency added that Sora 2 exposes artists and intellectual property (IP) to significant risk, warning that AI’s rapid development is outpacing existing copyright protections.
‘Control and Compensation Are Fundamental Rights’
CAA accused OpenAI of “disregarding global copyright principles” and “blatantly dismissing creators’ rights.”
The statement emphasized that control, permission, and compensation for the use of creative work are non-negotiable rights.
“Anything less should be considered unacceptable,” the agency stated.
The agency also called on OpenAI to engage in direct dialogue with creators, unions, and policymakers to build fair frameworks that protect human creativity in the age of generative AI.
OpenAI Faces Growing Industry Backlash
OpenAI’s Sora 2 operates on an opt-out system, which allows rights holders to request the removal of their work from the platform. However, many legal experts argue that this approach conflicts with established copyright law—where permission must be obtained before use, not after.
Even as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman promised new tools for “more granular control” over generated characters, the company has not committed to removing copyrighted material entirely.
Hollywood Unites for Copyright Protection
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) was among the first to back CAA’s stance, asserting that the burden of compliance lies with OpenAI, not the rights holders.
“OpenAI must acknowledge it is their responsibility—not the rights holders’—to prevent infringement on the Sora 2 service,” said the MPA. “Copyright law safeguards creators, and it applies here.”
Major studios, including Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros., have already filed lawsuits against other AI platforms like Midjourney, alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted IP. Midjourney has defended itself by claiming that AI training constitutes “fair use”, a position hotly disputed across the entertainment industry.
What This Means for Creators and the Industry
CAA’s statement signals a major shift in how the entertainment industry plans to handle AI-generated content. The agency’s involvement adds weight to ongoing debates around AI ethics, copyright enforcement, and creator compensation.
As generative AI becomes more powerful, agencies, unions, and creators are demanding legal frameworks that ensure:
- Consent before AI uses creative work
- Compensation for use of IP
- Transparency from AI companies about data sources
Final Takeaway
The message from Hollywood’s top talent agency is clear:
Innovation cannot come at the cost of creativity.
As CAA and other industry leaders push back against unchecked AI tools, creators across film, music, and media should remain vigilant—and united—in protecting their work and their rights.
