Overview

• Relatives of Robin Williams, George Carlin and Malcolm X publicly objected to AI videos using their likenesses, calling the clips disrespectful and upsetting.
• OpenAI says authorized representatives of recently deceased public figures can request that their likeness not be used in Sora cameos, with uncertainty remaining over older historical figures.
• Sora 2, released September 30 with synchronized audio and improved physics, helped the invite-only app surge to the top of the U.S. App Store as users widely shared short, realistic clips.
• OpenAI added visible watermarks and embedded signatures to trace videos to Sora, yet reporting shows watermarks can be cropped and metadata stripped as AI clips spread on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
• Industry groups warn of disinformation and copyright risks, and the Motion Picture Association urged OpenAI to prevent infringement as the company shifts from opt-out toward opt-in permissions and tests revenue-sharing.