Major talent agencies are opposing OpenAI's Sora 2, citing risks to their clients' rights and compensation. They are calling for stronger protections for intellectual property.
Agencies unite against Sora 2
CAA raises concerns over technology misuse
UTA labels Sora 2 as exploitation
WME opts out all clients
Motion Picture Association voices opposition
OpenAI urged to improve copyright measures
Major talent agencies are banding together against OpenAI’s new product, Sora 2, which is a video app that allows users to place their likeness in realistic clips. This development raises concerns within Hollywood regarding client rights and compensation.
Introduction to Sora 2
OpenAI launched Sora 2, a TikTok-style video app, on September 30, 2025. It enables users to scan their faces and insert themselves into hyperrealistic AI-generated clips, including characters from major studios. The app includes a “Cameo” feature allowing personalized video generation with audio that matches the visuals.[1][2][3]
Talent Agencies’ Stances
Creative Artists Agency (CAA):
CAA issued a strong statement calling Sora 2 a “misuse” of technology that exposes clients’ likenesses and intellectual property to “serious and harmful risks.” They criticized OpenAI for ignoring copyright principles and stressed the fundamental rights of control, consent, and compensation for creators. Though CAA did not explicitly say they are opting clients out, the statement signals firm opposition and a demand for solutions in collaboration with rights holders and lawmakers.[4][5][6]
United Talent Agency (UTA):
UTA called Sora 2 “exploitation, not innovation,” emphasizing that unauthorized use without consent, credit, or compensation harms creative professionals. They announced their commitment to fight for protections of client likeness and IP rights, aligning with concerns over AI-driven content generation.[7][8]
William Morris Endeavor (WME):
WME took a definitive stance by opting out all their clients from Sora 2, regardless of what intellectual property rights holders decide. Their head of digital strategy, Chris Jacquemin, sent a memo instructing agents to ensure clients’ likenesses are not used without authorization. This is a protective move responding to growing anxieties about AI’s impact on talent rights.[9][10][11][12]
Motion Picture Association (MPA) Perspective
The MPA, representing major studios including Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros., called on OpenAI to take “immediate and decisive action” to prevent infringement on the Sora 2 platform. MPA chief Charles Rivkin stated it is OpenAI’s responsibility—not rights holders’—to prevent copyright violations and uphold existing legal protections for creators.[13][14][15]
OpenAI’s Response
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the industry’s concerns in a blog post titled “Sora Update #1” on October 3, 2025. OpenAI plans to give rights holders more granular control over character generation and is exploring a revenue-sharing model with IP holders. Altman described a goal to make the platform compelling while respecting creator rights, though some unauthorized generations may still occur during the transition.[16][17][18]
Hollywood’s leading talent agencies and studios have aligned in opposition to Sora 2 due to risks of unauthorized use of actor likenesses and intellectual property. CAA frames the app as harmful misuse of technology, UTA calls it exploitation, and WME adopts a full opt-out policy for clients. The MPA demands OpenAI take responsibility for preventing infringement. OpenAI has responded by promising enhanced controls and compensation mechanisms but faces significant resistance from the entertainment industry over AI’s growing capabilities.
Rachel Patel is a senior news editor and journalist specializing in political journalism and digital media. With over seven years of professional experience, she is recognized for her accuracy, source verification, and audience-focused reporting approach.
Rachel earned her M.S. in Journalism & Media Studies from Stanford University (2018), where she developed expertise in media ethics, political communication, and digital storytelling.
Her career has centered on bridging traditional political reporting with the fast-paced world of online journalism. She has contributed to major global media outlets, analyzing how digital platforms — from YouTube and Reddit to TikTok and Bluesky — shape political narratives, influence public opinion, and redefine news consumption.
Now based in Berlin, Germany, Rachel serves as a Senior News Editor at Faharas NET, leading coverage on digital politics, media literacy, and social communication trends in the modern information landscape.
Hollywoodreporter is the website for The Hollywood Reporter (THR), a leading American digital and print publication that provides news, analysis, and reviews on the entertainment industry, including film, television, and theatre.
It is known for its in-depth reporting, exclusive interviews, and coverage of major industry events and is a trusted resource for both industry professionals and the public.
Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting.
She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior.
Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.
