OpenAI’s Sora 2 AI video generation service has been at the center of controversy since its launch. Early concerns arose over the rampant creation of videos using copyrighted material without permission. More recently, the situation escalated when the estate of Martin Luther King Jr. issued a formal pushback against the service.
Several Sora 2-generated videos circulated online that portrayed disrespectful depictions of the late civil rights leader. In response, OpenAI announced it would ban depictions of Martin Luther King Jr. on the Sora 2 platform following the estate’s request. The company emphasized that no offense was intended and described this move as part of its efforts to strengthen guardrails for historical figures.
However, OpenAI also stated that the platform requires historical figures—or those responsible for their likenesses—to submit formal requests to opt out of use on Sora 2. This approach has drawn criticism from many quarters.
One of the core points of controversy is that OpenAI places the responsibility on intellectual property (IP) holders to request exclusion from the platform, rather than proactively managing the content generated. This policy has sparked condemnation from organizations such as the Motion Picture Association (MPA), which has called on OpenAI to take “immediate and decisive action” to stop infringing on IP it does not own.
The MPA argues that instead of shifting the burden to copyright owners, OpenAI should implement stronger measures to prevent unauthorized use of protected material. As the debate continues, questions remain about how AI platforms like Sora 2 will balance creativity and innovation with respect for legal and ethical boundaries.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146403/openai-sora-2-martin-luther-king-jr-deepfake
