OpenAI’s Sora 2 Uses Copyrighted Content by Default: Reports

OpenAI’s latest AI video generator, Sora 2, will reportedly use copyrighted material from film and television studios by default unless rights holders actively opt out, according to Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.

The policy allows scenes or imagery from movies and TV shows to appear in AI-generated videos made by users unless copyright owners contact OpenAI to exclude their works. The Reuters report adds that at least one major studio, Disney, has already opted out of participation.

The approach mirrors OpenAI’s existing practice for image generation and aligns with the company’s earlier lobbying efforts to classify AI training on copyrighted data as “fair use” under U.S. law.

Alongside Sora 2, OpenAI has introduced a new social iOS app called Sora, enabling users to create, share, and remix AI-generated videos. The platform includes a “cameo” feature allowing users to insert realistic, AI-generated versions of themselves into short clips after identity verification. Videos can run up to 10 seconds, complete with synchronised sound effects and dialogue.

In an official blog post, OpenAI described Sora 2 as a major technical upgrade, featuring enhanced physics simulation, support for complex motion, and multi-shot video capabilities. The company said the system includes safety protocols such as identity verification and user controls to manage AI-generated likenesses responsibly.

The Sora app is currently being rolled out on an invite-only basis in the U.S. and Canada. OpenAI said the video generator will initially be free to use, though fees could be introduced later based on user demand and computing resources.