Loryn Brantz, the creator of the beloved character Good Advice Cupcake, is embroiled in an intellectual property dispute involving BuzzFeed and Amazon’s video service. While Brantz grew the character’s acclaim with her humorous and motivational content, she was shocked to learn that BuzzFeed licensed Cuppy for an upcoming AI-generated series called Cupcake & Friends without her consent.
Brantz expressed her dismay on Instagram, calling the licensing an “assault on artists everywhere,” and indicated that the move reflects a growing concern within the creative community regarding the use of AI. Following significant restructuring at BuzzFeed under new CEO Byron Allen, the company is pivoting towards AI-enhanced content creation, which includes breathing life into old properties like Cuppy.
Initially, Brantz launched Cuppy in 2014 while working at BuzzFeed, leading to a popular web series that ran eight episodes featuring the character’s quirky, yet motivational, advice. Despite her involvement during that period, she claims that when she left BuzzFeed for a role at YouTube’s Ms. Rachel in 2023, she was assured her character would not be revived in any future projects absent her participation.
In statements from both Brantz and BuzzFeed, there seems to be a clash in perspectives regarding the AI’s role in creative processes. Jonah Peretti, BuzzFeed’s president of AI, mentioned that they intended to use AI as a tool to support human creativity, while Brantz is firmly opposed to the use of AI in her work. She argues that the character she created would be reduced to “a soulless AI puppet” through this new adaptation.
Despite the situation, Brantz has garnered support from fans who admire her stance against the commodification of creative work through AI. She is currently exploring legal avenues, feeling uncertain about the outcome yet unswayed in her commitment to her character and artistic integrity.
