Studio Ghibli And Japanese Game Publishers Demand OpenAI Stop Using Their Content In Sora 2

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So, I was reading up on this, and it turns out a bunch of big Japanese game and animation companies – like Bandai Namco, Square Enix, and Studio Ghibli – are asking OpenAI to stop using their stuff to train their AI, Sora 2. Apparently, the group representing these companies, CODA, sent a formal request on October 28th. It’s a big deal because they’re worried about copyright and how Sora 2 is learning from their work. It seems like Japan is getting pretty serious about protecting intellectual property when it comes to AI.

OpenAI released Sora 2 on October 1st, a tool that lets people create short videos. Almost immediately, social media filled with videos inspired by popular Japanese characters and animation styles, referencing franchises like Pokemon, Mario, One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Demon Slayer. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted in a blog post how strongly users connected with Japanese content after the launch.

Founded in 2002, CODA works to combat piracy and promote the legitimate worldwide availability of Japanese entertainment. Its members include major companies like Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Studio Ghibli, Cygames, Toei Animation, Kadokawa Corporation, and Aniplex. CODA recently stated they found significant similarities between the output of Sora 2 and existing Japanese content, suggesting the AI was likely trained using copyrighted Japanese material without authorization. They believe this could be a violation of Japanese copyright law.

CODA, a rights organization, is asking OpenAI to do two things: stop using its members’ work to train AI without getting permission first, and seriously address any claims of copyright infringement related to the Sora 2 AI model. OpenAI did reach out to some studios before Sora 2 launched, offering them a way to exclude their work, but it’s not clear if Japanese copyright holders were contacted. CODA points out that Japanese law requires permission before using copyrighted material, so simply offering an opt-out isn’t enough to avoid legal issues.

Earlier this month, Japan’s government requested that OpenAI avoid using Japanese-owned creative works without permission, specifically in relation to its Sora 2 technology. Minister Minoru Kiuchi, in charge of intellectual property and AI strategy, emphasized that anime and manga are vital to Japan’s cultural identity. He and Digital Minister Masaaki Taira stated that if OpenAI doesn’t cooperate, the government might use the AI Promotion Act – which fully takes effect in September 2025 – to investigate potential copyright violations. While the law doesn’t include specific fines, it gives the government the power to look into how AI is being used when intellectual property rights are potentially broken.

It’s still unclear what OpenAI will do about the recent requests from Japan’s creative sector and its government.

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2025-10-31 18:09