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SAG-AFTRA Slams ByteDance's AI for Copyright Infringement

2/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

SAG-AFTRA condemned ByteDance's Seedance 2.0 AI video model for enabling widespread copyright infringement.
Sean Astin, SAG-AFTRA president, said the model uses unauthorized actor likenesses, including his own.
SAG-AFTRA states the infringement undermines livelihoods and violates ethical standards.
The Motion Picture Association called for an immediate halt to ByteDance's infringing practices.
SAG-AFTRA is negotiating a new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to address these issues.

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Story summary

SAG-AFTRA condemned ByteDance's Seedance 2.0 AI video model for enabling widespread copyright infringement.
Sean Astin, SAG-AFTRA president, said the model uses unauthorized actor likenesses, including his own.
SAG-AFTRA states the infringement undermines livelihoods and violates ethical standards.
The Motion Picture Association called for an immediate halt to ByteDance's infringing practices.
SAG-AFTRA is negotiating a new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to address these issues.