‽ “Only one thing is impossible for God: to find any sense in any copyright law on the planet.” – Mark Twain

If you’ve tried to make an AI-generated image with Mickey Mouse or The X-Men, you’ve hit the copyright guardrails.

Content violations are a moving target, and it takes just as much luck as prompting skill to try and evade these guardrails.

You may be aware that Steamboat Willie (an early iteration of Mickey mouse) recently entered the Public Domain, which lifts some of the byzantine restrictions. You can still make Mickey mouse images, but it’s hard. This guy figured out how, but soon, it may be easy for all of us.

gif by Jim the AI Whisperer

Disney just signed a 3-year licensing deal with OpenAI, which will:

• Allow users to generate media with 200 Disney and Marvel characters in ChatGPT and Sora, OpenAI’s video generator
• Add the best user-generated videos to Disney+
• Invest $1 billion in equity from Disney into OpenAI

You can read the full agreement (or have Ai give you an overview) here.

“Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world,” said Robert Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works. Bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s groundbreaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we’ve never seen before, giving them richer and more personal ways to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love.”
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“Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. “This agreement shows how Ai companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences.”

Practice Coaching with Ai

This January, I am hosting a free weekly Ai Coaching Power Hour.

💡 Ai Coaching Power Hour

This interactive Zoom session is designed to give you one hour of focused reflection, a gentle push forward, and a supportive community to help you grow.

Whether you’re navigating a challenge, shaping a goal, or simply wanting a structured space to think out loud — you’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and ready to take your next step.

AGENDA

• 15 min – we talk to each other, on Zoom
• 15 min – we talk to an Ai coach, individually
• 10 min – we come back together and debrief
• 10 min – breakout room 1:1s
• 5 min – weekly commitments
• 5 min – show & tell, open Q&A

These 4 x weekly Ai Coaching Power Hours are drop in, on Mondays at 3pm NZ time for the month of January (which is Sundays at 6pm Pacific time, for my American friends).

No experience with Ai needed. No pressure to share more than you want. No need to attend all 4. Just bring yourself, an open mind, and something you’re working on that you’d like to improve. I will teach you how to use Ai to help you succeed.

4 Mondays in January 3-4pm NZ time // Sundays 6-7pm Pacific time

Drop-in to any session, or all 4. No cost to attend.