Japanese Publishers Demand OpenAI Stop Using Copyrighted Content for AI Training
A coalition of Japanese publishers, including the renowned Studio Ghibli, has formally demanded that OpenAI cease using their copyrighted content to train its artificial intelligence models, escalating a major copyright dispute in the AI industry.
Key Takeaways
- Japanese trade body CODA sent a formal letter to OpenAI on October 27.
- The demand specifically targets the use of animated content for training Sora 2, OpenAI’s video generation AI.
- CODA alleges that Sora 2’s outputs closely resemble existing Japanese copyrighted works.
- The organization claims OpenAI’s opt-out system violates Japanese copyright law.
Copyright Infringement Allegations
The Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) claims that outputs from Sora 2 bear a striking resemblance to existing Japanese content and images. According to their investigation, this similarity results from using Japanese content as machine learning data.
CODA has confirmed that a large portion of content produced by Sora 2 closely resembles Japanese content or images. CODA has determined that this is the result of using Japanese content as machine learning data. In cases, as with Sora 2, where specific copyrighted works are reproduced or similarly generated as outputs, CODA considers that the act of replication during the machine learning process may constitute copyright infringement
Legal Conflict Over Opt-Out Systems
CODA highlighted a fundamental legal conflict, stating that OpenAI’s existing opt-out system for copyright holders violates Japan’s copyright laws. The organization clarified that Japanese law generally requires prior permission for using copyrighted works, with “no system allowing one to avoid liability for infringement through subsequent objections.”
Studio Ghibli’s AI Controversy History
Studio Ghibli’s involvement follows previous controversies where OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o update in March allowed users to generate images explicitly mimicking Ghibli’s distinctive animation style from acclaimed films like , , and .
The dispute is further complicated by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s well-documented opposition to AI-generated animation. A viral interview clip shows the celebrated director expressing strong disapproval of the technology.
“I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff, you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself”
