3 Count: Redbox’s Revenge

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1: Open AI Promises More ‘Granular Control’ to Copyright Owners After Sora 2 Generates Videos of Popular Characters

First off today, Josh Taylor at The Guardian reports that last week, OpenAI launched its Sora 2 video generation tool and accompanying app. However, the app has drawn widespread criticism over its ability to create copyright-infringing characters, including those owned by major media companies.

When OpenAI launched the app, they said that rightsholders could opt out of having their work used. Disney famously did so. However, in the week since its launch, the feed has become rife with other characters, including shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants and South Park.

The company has stated that users can flag copyright-infringing material and that it will begin working on providing rightsholders with more “granular control” over their intellectual property. Sora 2 is currently available only by invitation, although it is currently the top app in both the Android and iOS app stores.

2: Pirates Ambush Copyright Officers While Seizing Pirated Books in Ogun Market

Next up today, Prisca Sam-Duru at Vanguard reports that, in Nigeria, an anti-piracy operation turned violent as authorities were ambushed in a market as they were seizing pirated books found in a shop.

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) led the operation. They say that they, along with their security backup, were attacked after seizing the books from an unmarked stall at Sabot Market in Sagamu. There are no reports of injuries or deaths from the attack.

The NCC stated that, in addition to other copyright-related offenses, it is also a copyright offense to hinder, assault, or otherwise impede NCC officers. They vowed swift legal action against those behind the attack.

3: Company Offers $100 Million for the Right to Sue ISPs Using Redbox’s Piracy Claims

Finally, today, Ernesto Van der Sar at Torrentfreak writes that Grove Street Partners is offering to buy the “IP Litigation Assets” from the bankruptcy estate of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, the owner of the now-defunct Redbox company.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, now known as CSS Entertainment, entered bankruptcy in July 2024, marking the end of Redbox and its iconic red kiosks. However, the bankruptcy estate is still selling off the company’s assets to pay creditors, and one of the proposed buyers, Grove Street Partners, hopes to acquire the IP litigation assets so it can pursue internet service providers that fail to respond to takedown notices.

The company is offering $100 million for those rights. However, it hopes to see much bigger payoffs, as other cases against ISPs have resulted in judgments of over $1 billion. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case to determine the liability of service providers when their users pirate content. If the Supreme Court finds that ISPs should be held liable, it could open the door for companies like this one to file their own claims.

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