OpenAI Updates Copyright Policy: Sora Will Soon Feature Licensed Animated Characters

October 6 – As OpenAI’s video generation model Sora continues to captivate audiences worldwide, copyright discussions around AI-generated content are heating up. Recently, a viral “SpongeBob x Breaking Bad” parody video—created with Sora—amazed viewers with its remarkably accurate visuals and voice imitation.

In response, Bill Peebles, head of the Sora team, announced that officially licensed character appearances are now part of Sora’s development roadmap. This means users will soon be able to include real, authorized animated characters in their AI-generated videos.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also confirmed a major shift in the company’s “opt-out” copyright policy. According to Altman, many rights holders have expressed strong interest in interactive fan creations, prompting OpenAI to introduce a more nuanced “opt-in” licensing system that offers greater control and flexibility.

Moreover, Altman revealed plans for a revenue-sharing model that will allow copyright holders to earn income when their characters are used within Sora-generated content. However, he emphasized that the exact details of this program will require ongoing testing and refinement.

This strategic update aims to strike a balance between creative freedom and intellectual property protection, while curbing unauthorized or inappropriate content—such as early Sora videos featuring misused or extreme character portrayals.

With this change, the day may soon come when Pikachu, SpongeBob, or Mario make legitimate guest appearances in Sora videos—creatively, and legally.