OpenAI has rolled out its generative video application, Sora, to Android users in several key markets, even as the company navigates significant legal challenges over trademark infringement and the ethical use of AI-generated content.
The expansion makes Sora available to users in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This move follows its initial launch on iOS devices.
The company is currently facing a trademark infringement lawsuit from the social network Cameo, which alleges that OpenAI’s use of the term “cameo” for a core feature infringes on its brand.
OpenAI also recently reversed its original policy on excluding content from rights holders. This change came after artists and studios raised concerns about deepfakes and intellectual property protection within AI-generated content.
Sora allows users to create, share, and combine AI-generated clips, utilizing advanced facial recognition and audiovisual synthesis. Users can also develop reusable “character cameos” that can be depicted as people, animals, or illustrations.
These character cameos come with customizable permissions, allowing creators to decide if their characters are private, shared with friends, or publicly accessible. The app enables naming, tagging, and integrating these characters into various videos through simple commands.
OpenAI anticipates that in the future, rights holders may be able to charge additional fees for cameos of recognized characters, suggesting a new monetization model.
The Android launch mirrors the app’s success on iOS, where it garnered over one million downloads within five days of its September debut. Sora’s interface features a feed similar to TikTok, enabling users to discover videos created by others.
Another notable function is “video stitching,” which allows the assembly of multiple video segments into more extended and complex narratives.
OpenAI plans a broader international expansion, though specific launch dates for regions like Latin America and Europe have not yet been announced.
To encourage early and widespread adoption of new features, OpenAI has implemented a temporary, invitation-free registration period in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Korea. The app also incorporates interactive rankings showcasing popular videos and characters.
The Android release occurs shortly after OpenAI introduced Atlas, a new web browser integrating ChatGPT for direct user interaction with the chatbot and web content.