Sora Reverses Copyright Policy: OpenAI to Share Revenue and Allow Opt-In Controls for Character IP
Ddos 
OpenAI’s recently launched short-video platform “Sora”—though still available only by invitation in the United States and Canada—has swiftly risen to the top of the App Store charts. Its hallmark feature lies in AI-generated videos that even allow users to upload biometric data, enabling them to see their own “digital doubles” within the generated imagery. Yet as many users began creating parody videos featuring well-known characters, disputes over copyright and intellectual property quickly emerged.
Before Sora’s official debut, The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI had adopted a “default-inclusion unless declined” licensing approach—meaning that film studios or copyright holders would need to explicitly opt out to prevent their content or characters from appearing in generated videos. This policy drew criticism, particularly after users began circulating deepfake clips featuring Pikachu, SpongeBob SquarePants, and even Sam Altman himself, exposing the increasingly blurred boundaries of content ownership and control.
In response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman published a blog post announcing two major changes to Sora. First, the company will introduce more granular copyright controls, shifting to an opt-in system in which copyright holders must explicitly grant permission before their characters or content can be used. This means users will no longer be able to freely generate videos containing protected material unless prior authorization has been granted.
Altman noted that many rights holders have expressed interest in the idea of “interactive fan creations,” viewing it as a new and potentially valuable form of audience engagement. At the same time, they wish to retain the ability to decide whether and how their characters are used. He acknowledged that despite these new safeguards, certain “edge cases” will inevitably slip through, but the changes should establish a clearer framework for most scenarios.
The second change concerns Sora’s business model. Altman revealed that the platform will eventually move beyond its current “peak-time surcharge” system, introducing a revenue-sharing mechanism for generated videos. Although specific details remain undisclosed, OpenAI reportedly plans to share a portion of its earnings with copyright holders, allowing them to profit when their intellectual property is featured in user-generated content.
Altman emphasized that, ideally, this new form of interactive participation holds immense intrinsic value for the entertainment industry, while revenue-sharing would strengthen its economic foundation. The move underscores OpenAI’s effort to strike a delicate balance between creative freedom in AI generation and the protection of intellectual property rights.
As Sora continues its meteoric rise and AI-driven video generation reshapes digital storytelling, the tension between creator rights and user creativity will remain a defining challenge—not only for OpenAI but for the entire content ecosystem in the years to come.
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