One Piece Publisher Shueisha Threatens Lawsuit Against OpenAI’s Sora2

Shueisha, the Japanese publishing giant behind One Piece and Dragon Ball, has issued a strong warning that it will take legal action if OpenAI’s new model, Sora 2, infringes on its copyrights.

One Piece Publisher Shueisha Threatens Lawsuit Against OpenAI’s Sora2

In its press release, Shueisha noted that the launch of Sora 2 has already led to a massive number of videos resembling famous content appearing online. These, the company argues, are clear examples of infringement since they mimic characters and stories that were created through years of dedicated work. The publisher stressed that relying solely on opt-out systems is not enough to protect rights holders, urging AI developers to take stronger, proactive measures.

The company also called for governments to step in, saying that “national-level responses, including legal frameworks, are essential for content protection.”

Shueisha’s warning is part of a broader pushback against generative AI. The Content Overseas Distribution Association, which represents Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Studio Ghibli, Kadokawa, Toei Animation, and Aniplex, also announced that it had formally requested OpenAI to prevent Sora 2 from learning content from member companies without prior permission, as part of its efforts to combat piracy.

Similarly, 17 Japanese anime and manga companies issued a joint statement last week to take legal actions against copyright infringement on Sora 2.

Whether this warning leads to actual lawsuits remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Shueisha is prepared to defend its catalog.

The official statement below (machine translated):

"This fall, with the release of a new generative AI service (OpenAI's Sora2), a large volume of videos similar to well-known content has appeared online. These videos, which infringe on the copyrights of anime and characters, are generated based on AI learning. While a society where more people can share the joy of creation and enjoy creative works through the evolution of generative AI should be welcomed, it should never be established on the foundation of trampling on the dignity of authors who have poured their hearts and souls into creating their works and violating the rights of many people."

"Unless providers of generative AI services, under their responsibility, urgently introduce effective infringement countermeasures beyond "opt-out methods" and remedies for rights holders, we have reached a stage where the spiral of infringement using generative AI services, which continues to shake the foundation of the content industry, will not stop. National-level responses toward content protection, including legal developments, are also essential."

"Regardless of whether generative AI is used, we will take appropriate and strict action against anything we determine to be infringing on the rights related to our works, and we will actively engage in activities to build and maintain a sustainable creative environment in cooperation and collaboration with copyright holders and related organizations."

.......... Shueisha Inc.