Google pulls AI Disney videos after legal threat

Google has removed dozens of AI-generated videos featuring Disney characters from YouTube after receiving a cease and desist letter from the entertainment giant, signalling a sharp escalation in tensions between Hollywood and big tech over artificial intelligence.

The takedowns followed Disney's legal notice accusing Google's AI training models and services of infringing its copyrights "on a massive scale". 

The move came days before Disney announced a separate three-year licensing agreement worth about $1 billion with OpenAI, allowing the use of selected characters on its video tool, Sora.

Videos featuring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Deadpool and Moana were among those removed, according to people familiar with the matter. Google confirmed it was engaging with Disney but did not comment on specific enforcement actions.

"We have a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship with Disney, and will continue to engage with them," a Google spokesperson said to Deadline, adding that the company uses public web data to train its AI systems and offers copyright controls such as Content ID and Google-Extended to rights holders.

Disney's letter was sent shortly before its OpenAI deal was made public, a timing that industry observers say underlines its strategy of drawing a clear line between licensed AI use and unauthorised exploitation.

A source close to Disney said the OpenAI agreement showed that AI development "does not have to be lawless" if companies respect creators' rights.