In Brief Posted: 2:01 PM PDT · March 15, 2026 Image Credits: Su Weizhong/VCG / Getty Images Anthony Ha ByteDance reportedly pauses global launch of its Seedance 2.0 video generator ByteDance has paused plans to launch its new AI video model globally, according to a report in The Information . The Chinese company, best known as TikTok’s parent organization (and now a minority shareholder in its U.S. spinoff ), launched Seedance 2.0 in China back in February. Brief videos generated by the model, including a clip featuring Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt, soon went viral and drew intense criticism from Hollywood . While one successful screenwriter declared that the footage meant, “It’s likely over for us,” studios quickly sent ByteDance a flurry of cease-and-desist letters, with Disney’s lawyers accusing the company of a “virtual smash-and-grab of Disney’s IP.” ByteDance responded by promising to introduce stronger safeguards for intellectual property. The company had planned to make Seedance 2.0 available globally in mid-March, The Information said, but it’s delaying those plans as its engineers and lawyers work to avert further legal issues. ByteDance did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment. Topics AI , bytedance , Media & Entertainment , seedance June 9 Boston, MA Actively scaling? Fundraising? Planning your next launch? TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 delivers tactical playbooks and direct access to 1,000+ founders and investors who are building, backing, and closing. Register by March 13 to save up to $300. REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups Weekly Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. StrictlyVC Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. No newsletters selected. Subscribe By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . Related Security Wiz investor unpacks Google’s $32B acquisition Anthony Ha 7 hours ago AI US Army announces contract with Anduril worth up to $20B Anthony Ha 1 day ago AI ‘Not built right the first time’ — Musk’s xAI is starting over again, again Tim Fernholz 2 days ago Latest in AI In Brief ByteDance reportedly pauses global launch of its Seedance 2.0 video generator Anthony Ha 2 hours ago AI Lawyer behind AI psychosis cases warns of mass casualty risks Rebecca Bellan 4 hours ago Security Wiz investor unpacks Google’s $32B acquisition Anthony Ha 7 hours ago