Overview

• Disney confirmed it sent the letter last week demanding Character.AI stop using its copyrighted characters without permission.
• Character.AI said it removed the referenced chatbots, noted many are user-generated or inspired by existing figures, and signaled openness to licensing.
• Disney’s letter references a ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative report alleging some chatbots engaged in grooming, sexual exploitation, emotional manipulation and addiction.
• The dispute highlights Disney’s broader enforcement push that includes lawsuits against Midjourney and a recent case targeting China’s MiniMax with other studios.
• Character.AI’s platform lets users create conversational personas powered by large language models that mimic real people or well-known characters.