China’s rapid advancement in artificial intelligence is now clashing with Hollywood, raising concerns over copyright and likeness rights.

Axar.az reports that Chinese AI models, such as ByteDance’s Seedance 2.0, can produce hyperrealistic videos at high speed and low cost, undercutting U.S. competitors, according to Axios.

Seedance recently generated a clip of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting, prompting major studios, Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros, and Disney, to issue cease-and-desist orders. Industry groups like SAG-AFTRA and the Motion Picture Association claim the tool infringes copyrights and misuses actor likenesses.

ByteDance says it is adding safeguards to address these concerns, but it remains unclear whether these measures will limit the AI’s capabilities. Despite legal pressure, Chinese AI adoption continues to grow, with open-source models increasing to roughly a third of overall AI usage by the end of 2025. Experts warn that China’s first-mover advantage could allow it to shape global standards for AI, intellectual property, and copyright enforcement.