Chinese and English archive texts include AI-assisted translations, not independently human-reviewed. Consult the original-language sources alongside them.
This case contains nine dated events; see the timeline. Original documents, parties’ responses, and subsequent developments are still being collected.
The start date is only the earliest event collected in this batch; it does not assert that the controversy began that day.
Case chronology
MPA calls on ByteDance to stop alleged Seedance infringement
MPA issues a statement accusing Seedance 2.0 of lacking effective copyright safeguards and demanding an end to what it describes as infringing activity.
Disney sends ByteDance a cease-and-desist letter, according to reporting
Variety reports that Disney sent a letter on February 13 alleging unauthorised use of its characters by Seedance.
Paramount sends ByteDance a cease-and-desist letter, according to reporting
Variety reports that Paramount sent a letter on February 14 demanding removal and prevention of outputs involving its intellectual property.
ByteDance says it will strengthen safeguards, according to reporting
Variety reports that ByteDance said on Monday it would strengthen existing safeguards.
Netflix sends a letter and warns of litigation, according to reporting
Variety reports that Netflix demanded ByteDance stop unauthorised use of its content and warned of litigation.
Warner Bros. joins the letter campaign, according to reporting
Variety reports that Warner Bros. sent ByteDance a cease-and-desist letter the same day.
TheWrap reports that Sony sent ByteDance a letter
TheWrap reports that Sony sent a cease-and-desist letter, quoting its criticism of inadequate copyright protection.
MPA sends a cease-and-desist letter, recorded in its retrospective account
MPA’s advocacy retrospective records a February 20 letter demanding an end to infringement and implementation of safeguards.
MPA and ByteDance announce a memorandum of understanding
The parties announce a memorandum on intellectual-property protection for AI video and image models, including Seedance and Seedream.
Research question
Examines how film companies move from public allegations and lawyers’ letters to negotiating platform protections, in comparison with actions by Japanese animation organizations.
Related documents
DOC-0014MPA calls for ByteDance to cease Seedance 2.0 infringing activityDOC-0015Fostering Responsible InnovationDOC-0016MPA and ByteDance announce global agreementDOC-0017MPA and ByteDance announce global agreementDOC-0018Paramount joins Disney in sending ByteDance cease-and-desistDOC-0019Netflix threatens ByteDance with immediate litigationDOC-0020Sony sends cease-and-desist to ByteDance over AISources
Variety Australia · EN · 2026-02-15
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Cite this record
ANTI-AI ARCHIVE. “Seedance / Hollywood rights dispute and negotiations.” case-0019. Include this page’s URL and your access date when citing.