OpenAI to Get Access to Disney’s Iconic Characters in New $1B Deal.

Disney has given OpenAI exclusive access to more than 200 characters, including those from Marvel and Star Wars. At the same time, Disney has warned Google about possible copyright violations. On December 11th, Bob Iger told CNBC that Disney will invest $1 billion in OpenAI and license its characters to Sora. Starting in February, people will be able to use AI to animate Mickey Mouse, Iron Man, and Baby Yoda. Disney is using generative AI as its next big platform and wants to set new industry standards by closely managing how its intellectual property is used. The three-year deal gives OpenAI legal access to some of the most popular characters in entertainment. At the same time, Disney sent cease-and-desist letters to Google for using its content without permission, showing a strong, protective approach to its assets. A report from The AI Innovator says Disney and OpenAI have agreed to work together with a focus on responsible AI use, protecting creators, and keeping users safe. This deal shows how important licensing agreements are for OpenAI’s business and could put more pressure on competitors who do not have similar deals. OpenAI needs the billion-dollar investment right away. According to TechCrunch, OpenAI’s Stargate project does not have all the funding it needs. Disney’s deal lets Sora make AI videos with Disney characters, but there are strict rules: it does not include performer likenesses or voices, and Disney says there will be strong controls to prevent misuse, though the details are not public. Unions were quick to criticize the deal. The Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA said it threatens creative workers. Josh Golin from Fairplay called Disney’s partnership with OpenAI a betrayal of children and accused OpenAI of making young users addicted. According to Global Finance Magazine, the exclusivity lasts only one year. Disney and OpenAI have a three-year licensing deal that allows Sora to create social videos with more than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars. One issue that is not being talked about is what happens to the original creators of these 200+ characters. Iger mentioned 'license fees' but did not say if the original comic book artists or animators will get any royalties. The Washington Post reports that the current legal action is about Disney and Universal’s rights to their copyrighted works, with no details about payments to the creators. Disney built its empire on public domain stories like Snow White and Cinderella, then aggressively protected its own copyrights for decades. Now it is sending a message to tech rivals: the company will strictly monetize and defend its IP, suing Google for unauthorized use and licensing content to OpenAI. The new deals show Disney positioning itself as the gatekeeper in the age of AI. Disney characters will be available on Sora and ChatGPT Images by February 2026. Even though Google uses similar AI training, it is facing legal pressure. After the one-year exclusivity ends, others may be able to license Disney’s intellectual property by 2027. Voice and likeness rights are not part of the deal, and the original creators do not share in the revenue. The real test comes in February, when millions of users start making Disney content. Will the promised controls actually stop people from making Iron Man do something extreme? Will Disney go after individual creators who break the rules, or just the platforms that let it happen? Roetzer predicts that in the end, every big AI deal will depend on licensing agreements. Disney has set the price: a billion dollars for access, while everyone else gets a cease-and-desist letter.