World Business Report Disney & OpenAI deal: Threat or opportunity?
Dec 11, 2025
Alicia Cooper, a comedian and actress from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, shares her concerns about AI's impact on performers and the importance of understanding rights in the age of technology. Kelsey Farish, a media lawyer, discusses the legal intricacies of AI-generated content and the protections needed for both big stars and lesser-known actors. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire elaborates on the shocking ticket prices for the upcoming World Cup and the financial dynamics affecting fans. It’s a lively discussion on the intersection of creativity, law, and sports.
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Disney Licenses Characters To OpenAI
- Disney will let OpenAI use over 200 characters in Sora for three years while excluding actors' voices and likenesses.
- This marks the biggest Hollywood studio investment in AI and signals studios moving from litigation to licensing their IP.
Engage With Licensing, Not Only Lawsuits
- Kelsey Farish advises that studios are shifting from suing to proactively licensing intellectual property.
- She implies creators should engage with licensing frameworks rather than rely solely on litigation.
Actor's Journey From Fear To Research
- Alicia Cooper recalled initial nervousness about AI and then researched intellectual property and likeness rights.
- She says learning the legal landscape helped her see potential benefits in AI for creators.