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ByteDance Signs AI Copyright Pact With Hollywood Trade Group

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ByteDance has reached an agreement with the Motion Picture Association (MPA) to strengthen copyright protections across its AI-powered video and image-generation tools.

The agreement covers ByteDance’s Seedance video model and Seedream image-generation system, both of which have faced criticism from Hollywood studios over their ability to create content featuring copyrighted characters and celebrity likenesses.

The pact follows a cease-and-desist letter sent by the MPA earlier this year after companies including Disney raised concerns that ByteDance’s generative AI tools could reproduce protected film and television content without authorization.

ByteDance said newer versions of its models now include stronger intellectual-property safeguards. The technology is available across several company services, including TikTok, CapCut and Dreamina.

Both ByteDance and the MPA said they plan to continue working together as generative AI technology evolves, with a focus on improving protections for copyrighted material.

The agreement reflects growing pressure on AI companies to develop more effective controls around intellectual property as image and video generation tools become increasingly realistic and widely used.

ByteDance Sells Moonton to Saudi PIF Gaming Firm

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ByteDance has agreed to sell its gaming unit Moonton to Savvy Games Group, a Riyadh-based company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, as part of a broader shift in strategy.

The deal, reportedly valued at more than $6 billion, transfers ownership of the studio behind the popular mobile title Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Moonton was acquired by ByteDance in 2021 and has since become a key player in the global mobile gaming market.

The transaction reflects ongoing consolidation in the gaming industry, where companies are seeking scale, intellectual property and global reach. For Savvy Games Group, the acquisition strengthens its position in mobile gaming and esports as it continues expanding through strategic investments.

For ByteDance, the move aligns with its increasing focus on artificial intelligence and core technology initiatives, as competition intensifies in China’s AI sector.

Moonton’s leadership is expected to remain unchanged, ensuring continuity in operations following the transition.

US Lawmakers Seek Congressional Scrutiny of TikTok Joint Venture Deal

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U.S. lawmakers said a proposed joint venture by TikTok and its Chinese parent ByteDance to avoid a nationwide ban requires close congressional scrutiny, citing unresolved national security concerns. The deal would create a majority American-owned entity to operate TikTok in the United States, with U.S. and global investors holding 80.1% and ByteDance retaining 19.9%.

Republican Representative Jack Moolenaar, chair of the House select committee on China, said lawmakers must examine whether China could still influence TikTok’s algorithm or access U.S. user data. Democratic Senator Ed Markey also criticised the lack of transparency, saying Congress has a duty to investigate whether the arrangement truly protects national security while keeping the app online.

TikTok said the new entity would safeguard U.S. data, apps and algorithms through enhanced cybersecurity and privacy measures, but disclosed few details. The White House and TikTok declined immediate comment. The agreement marks a key moment after years of political and legal battles over TikTok’s operations in the United States.