OpenAI has launched Sora 2, an AI-driven video and audio production tool that allows users to create content based on text prompts. However, this new technology has quickly raised eyebrows, particularly due to its incorporation of well-known Nintendo characters, including those from the Mario and Pokémon franchises, which might invite legal scrutiny from the company known for its strict protection of intellectual property.
The New York Times reported that OpenAI has been in discussions with key copyright owners and public figures about opting out of the Sora 2 platform, though it remains uncertain if Nintendo was contacted. The overwhelming presence of Nintendo-themed content suggests that the AI model may have substantially drawn from the company’s intellectual property for its training.
Users have flooded social media with their creations using Sora 2. Tweets show amusing mashups like "Star Wars" featuring Mario and Pikachu, with various characters inserted into classic movie plots. Such widespread usage raises questions about potential legal repercussions for OpenAI if Nintendo decides to take action against the creators of this AI technology.
Given Nintendo’s history of legal initiatives against unauthorized use of its IP, including recent actions against AI-generated Mario images, it appears that Sora 2 may not escape without Nintendo’s attention. The gaming giant has previously expressed caution regarding the integration of AI in its creations, favoring a human touch in game development.
In contrast, while many Japanese developers are starting to embrace AI, Nintendo seems to be maintaining a more reserved stance under the guidance of leaders like Shigeru Miyamoto and the former president Doug Bowser, who emphasize the importance of balancing innovation with creative human input.
Overall, the emergence of Sora 2 has ignited discussions on the implications of AI in the creative domain and how companies like Nintendo might respond to protect their beloved franchises.
