TechCrunch Daily Crunch Disney signs deal with OpenAI
Dec 12, 2025
Disney is taking a bold step by sending a cease-and-desist to Google over alleged copyright infringement involving AI. In an exciting twist, Disney has signed a staggering three-year, $1 billion deal with OpenAI to integrate its iconic characters into a new platform. Meanwhile, Google showcases its innovative AI try-on feature, now capable of creating full-body images from just a selfie. The podcast dives into the details of these major developments in the tech and entertainment landscape.
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Host Reflects On Plod Helping Past Job
- Imran Shaikh mentions the episode sponsor Plod and its Note Pro gadget that records and summarizes meetings.
- He says it would have helped him at his first job when his boss gave long task lists.
Disney Accuses Google Of Widespread Infringement
- Disney alleges Google trained AI on its copyrighted characters at scale without authorization.
- The company claims infringement across Frozen, Lion King, Moana, Deadpool and more.
Disney Partners With OpenAI For Character Access
- Disney signed a three-year, $1 billion deal with OpenAI to put its characters into Sora.
- The pact includes 200+ characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars but excludes talent likenesses and voices.