ByteDance signs AI copyright MOU with Motion Picture Association in historic first deal

ByteDance has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Motion Picture Association, marking the first time Hollywood’s most powerful trade group has struck a formal copyright agreement with an AI company. The deal, announced on August 17, commits ByteDance to implementing guardrails across its generative AI tools and user-generated content platforms to protect copyrighted material. The agreement covers ByteDance’s AI video generator Seedance, its image tool Seedream, and content platforms TikTok, CapCut, and Dreamina. From cease-and-desist to collaboration The MPA’s concerns about ByteDance’s AI tools began escalating in February 2026, shortly after the launch of Seedance 2.0. The updated video generation tool drew immediate criticism from the trade group for enabling what it characterized as large-scale copyright infringement. On February 20, 2026, the MPA sent ByteDance a cease-and-desist letter demanding the company build stronger protections against unauthorized use of copyrighted content. The letter specifically targeted the ease with which users could generate content featuring recognizable characters, scenes, and actor likenesses owned by MPA member studios. ByteDance re...