Hold onto your hats, because Disney just signed a deal with OpenAI! This partnership allows users to animate some of Disney’s most iconic characters in OpenAI powered Sora video generator. And last week, we formally signed that agreement. It’s a high-profile new partnership that underscores the increasing intersection of artificial intelligence and content creation.
The agreement now gives Disney’s extensive library partners access to over 200 characters. Players get to go on adventures with their favorite characters from nostalgic Disney cartoons, Marvel, Pixar and the Star Wars universe. This partnership will ensure stronger integration of Warner Bros. Discovery’s beloved animated IP into Sora’s platform, enabling users to produce original content and experiences starring these legendary characters.
On Disney’s end, the CEO’s Bob Iger’s sounded very upbeat about the partnership was speaking to a much larger moment in technology. He stated, “No human generation has ever stood in the way of technological advance, and we don’t intend to try.” This short statement speaks volumes about Disney’s drive to adopt new technologies — and using the company’s extensive IP to its advantage.
At the same time, on the day the partnership was announced, Disney issued Google a cease-and-desist letter. The letter claims that Google has committed widespread copyright infringement in connection with Disney’s characters. This litigation further emphasizes Disney’s strict control of its intellectual property rights in an age of exciting technological advances.
That alignment with OpenAI raises the company’s profile as a content partnership powerhouse. Most importantly, it frees them to experiment with new methods to reach audiences through technology. Now Sora users will have the ability to produce personalized videos starring their beloved Disney characters. This new and amazing feature combines old school storytelling with new school multimedia wizardry!
The entertainment industry is going through tremendous change right now. Very often, partnerships in the mold of the one just announced between Disney and OpenAI can advance tremendous new ways of producing and consuming content. Inking this deal, Disney is taking an incredibly brave step into the future of technology. Simultaneously, it doubles down on its commitment to logistics IP control.