Japanese Content Industry Giants Form CODA, Formally Demand OpenAI Halt Using Copyrighted Works to Train Sora 2

Several leading Japanese publishers and content creators, including Bandai Namco and Square Enix, have jointly announced the formation of the Content Overseas Distribution Association （CODA). This new consortium aims to collaboratively address global copyright protection challenges. In one of its first major actions, the association has formally demanded that AI company OpenAI immediately cease using its members’ creative works to train its next-generation AI video generation model, “Sora 2.”

In a joint statement, CODA explicitly highlighted serious issues with OpenAI’s current data training policy for Sora 2. The statement points out that the tool’s default policy is that copyrighted works will be used for training unless the rights holder explicitly opts out. CODA sternly clarified that this “opt-out” mechanism blatantly violates Japan’s Copyright Act, which is based on the principle of obtaining prior permission.
CODA emphasized, “No mechanism exists to avoid infringement liability by raising objections after the fact.” Based on this, the association demands that OpenAI must comply with legal standards and refrain from using its members’ works for any form of machine learning training without their prior and explicit consent. Furthermore, CODA has called on OpenAI to provide a sincere and substantive response to its members’concerns regarding potential copyright infringement in Sora 2’s output.

CODA is understood to bear the significant responsibility of protecting the copyrights of Japan’s creative industries. Its mandate includes actively combating piracy and promoting the legal global distribution and dissemination of Japanese video games, films, music, TV programs, and animation. This collective action demonstrates the Japanese content industry’s resolve to stand united in defending its core intellectual property interests against the copyright challenges posed by emerging AI technologies.

In addition to Bandai Namco and Square Enix, CODA’s membership includes other highly influential companies in the anime and game sectors, such as Cygames and Toei. This collective stance is expected to have a profound impact on the ongoing global debate regarding copyright disputes between AI developers and content creators.