Disney's $1B OpenAI Deal: Characters for Sora, Strict Guardrails

• Disney signed a three-year licensing deal with OpenAI, allowing over 200 iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Simba to appear in AI-generated videos via Sora.
• Disney is taking a $1 billion equity stake in OpenAI and plans to use ChatGPT internally, while showcasing Sora-generated clips on its streaming platforms.
• The agreement includes strict limitations, prohibiting Sora from reproducing actors' likeness or voices and preventing OpenAI from using Disney content for model training.
• CEO Bob Iger views the partnership as a strategic move to explore new AI storytelling formats while safeguarding intellectual property.
• The deal has received mixed industry reactions, including criticism from the Writers Guild of America, with Disney character videos expected from Sora and ChatGPT in early 2026.

Why It Matters: Disney's OpenAI deal defines future AI content creation and IP protection.