Google courts Hollywood studios for AI licensing deals

M&A · PartnershipProduct / Tech
โดย Los Angeles Times·US·Read original
Summary · why it matters

Google has been quietly approaching major Hollywood studios, including Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery, about licensing their intellectual property for use in its AI models, according to three people familiar with the conversations. No agreements have been reached yet, partly due to the complexities of AI issues and sensitivities around how talent and unions would react. The discussions underscore the high stakes for both sides: Google faces competition in AI, while studios are under pressure to cut costs and find ways to use AI in production while preventing unauthorized use of their content. In June, Google invested $75 million into A24 as part of a strategic partnership to collaborate on AI tools, and it also has a partnership with director Darren Aronofsky's venture Primordial Soup. Some studios, including Disney, have sued AI companies over copyright infringement, and Disney sent Google a cease-and-desist letter last year. The licensing of characters could provide a new revenue stream for studios, with an AI company potentially paying $40 million per character on average, and a deal for 100 characters in the multiple billions. YouTube has also approached talent agencies and studios about using its likeness detection technology to flag AI-generated content, but some studios are wary due to terms that include waiving the right to sue Google. So far, no major studios have notified performers guild SAG-AFTRA of any new licensing deals with AI companies, which they are required to do under their agreement with the union.

Impact on stocks 4

Communication Services▲ · 2 stocks
Walt Disney Company
DIS
± MixedRegulationrelevance

Disney is named as a studio Google is courting for AI IP licensing, but it has sued AI firms and sent Google a cease-and-desist, so the outcome is unclear.

Warner Bros Discovery Inc
WBD
± MixedRegulationrelevance

Warner Bros. Discovery is named among studios Google approached for AI licensing, but no agreement has been reached amid AI and union sensitivities.

Artificial Intelligence▲ · 1 stocks
Alphabet Inc Class C
GOOG
± MixedTechnologyrelevance

Google is approaching Hollywood studios to license IP for its AI models, a potential AI product/content development with no deal reached yet.

Consumer Staples▲ · 1 stocks

Theme Impact 2

Off-coverage companies 3

A24Private± Mixed
relevance

Primordial SoupPrivate± Mixed
relevance

YouTube, LLCPrivate± Mixed
relevance

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