OpenAI Announces Tighter Copyright Controls and Revenue Sharing for Sora 2
Key Points
- OpenAI will give copyright holders "more granular control" over character usage in Sora 2.
- Rightsholders can specify usage rules or opt out entirely.
- A future revenue‑sharing model may reward owners when their IP appears in user clips.
- Altman described the model as experimental and subject to refinement.
- Sora 2 currently works on iOS in the US and Canada and requires an invite.
- The platform has seen higher video generation volumes than expected.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company will give copyright holders more granular control over how their characters are used in the Sora 2 video‑generation app. The firm also hinted at a future revenue‑sharing model that could reward rightsholders when their intellectual property appears in user‑generated clips. Altman explained that the changes aim to balance open‑ended creativity with the interests of creators and owners, while also addressing the unexpectedly high volume of video generation on the platform.
Enhanced Rights Management for Sora 2
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman outlined new safeguards for the Sora 2 AI video‑generation service. The company plans to give copyright owners "more granular control" over the use of their characters, allowing them to specify how, or if, their intellectual property can be incorporated into user‑created clips. Altman noted that rightsholders are enthusiastic about the "interactive fan fiction" potential of the tool, but they also want the ability to opt out entirely.
Potential Revenue‑Sharing Model
Altman also discussed a forthcoming monetization approach. Because Sora users are generating far more video content than anticipated, OpenAI is considering a system that shares revenue with rightsholders whose characters appear in the generated clips. He said, "We are going to try sharing some of this revenue with rightsholders who want their characters generated by users," and that the exact model will be refined through trial and error.
Balancing Openness and Protection
The announced measures aim to keep the platform attractive to creators while respecting the commercial interests of existing content owners. By providing tighter controls and a possible pay‑to‑generate mechanism during periods of high demand, OpenAI hopes to encourage broader participation from both users and rightsholders.
Current Availability
At present, the Sora app is limited to iOS devices in the United States and Canada and requires an invitation to access. The company expects wider rollout in the future, likely accompanied by the new restrictions and monetization features described by Altman.