Character.AI Removes Disney Characters After Cease-and-Desist Letter Amid Lawsuits Over Minor Safety
Summary
Character.AI removes Disney characters including Elsa, Darth Vader, and Spider-Man from its platform following Disney's cease-and-desist letter alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted characters in sexually exploitative chatbots, as the AI company faces multiple wrongful death lawsuits claiming its technology contributed to children's suicides and self-harm.
Key Points
- Character.AI removes Disney characters from its platform after Disney sends a cease-and-desist letter on September 18 demanding the removal of copyrighted characters like Elsa, Darth Vader, and Spider-Man
- Disney accuses Character.AI of systematically reproducing and monetizing its copyrighted characters without authorization, citing concerns about sexually exploitative chatbots that damage Disney's reputation
- Character.AI faces multiple lawsuits over its impact on minors, including wrongful death claims where families allege the chatbots contributed to children's suicides and self-harm