Can I Sell Sora Videos? An In-depth Analysis

Sora, OpenAI’s flagship text-to-video model, has sparked both excitement and controversy since its public release. As creators explore the boundaries of what can be produced, a pressing question emerges: Can I legally sell videos generated using Sora?

What is Sora and how does it work?

Sora is a generative AI tool integrated into the ChatGPT ecosystem that transforms text, image, and video prompts into new video outputs. Launched publicly in December 2024 for paying subscribers, it offers tiered plans—ChatGPT Plus users can create up to 10‑second, 720p videos, while Pro subscribers access 20‑second, 1080p clips without watermarks and with concurrent generation capabilities .

How Sora generates video

• Model architecture: Sora builds on diffusion and transformer techniques, ingesting text and visual inputs to predict subsequent frames.
• Style presets: Users can apply presets like “Cardboard & Papercraft” or “Film Noir” to influence aesthetics.
• Resolution and length limitations: Plus tier caps at 720p/10s; Pro tier extends to 1080p/20s and higher throughput .

Capabilities and features

Among Sora’s standout features are its ability to generate videos in multiple aesthetic styles, adjust clip length dynamically, and incorporate diverse visual elements into a single composition. Users can specify parameters such as camera angles, lighting conditions, and even emotional tone, allowing for personalized video outputs.

What are the legal implications of selling AI‑generated videos?

Monetizing AI‑produced content raises novel copyright and contract law challenges. Traditional copyright law grants protection to “original works of authorship” created by humans. AI‑generated content, however, complicates the ownership and infringement analysis.

Copyright ownership uncertainty

• No human author: In the U.S., works created solely by AI without “significant” human input are not copyrightable, per U.S. Copyright Office guidance .
• Joint authorship debates: Some jurisdictions may entertain co‑authorship if the user’s prompt and editing substantially shape the final video.

Potential infringement risks

• Training data origins: AI models like Sora learn from massive datasets that may include copyrighted videos, images, and music. If output closely mirrors or references specific source material, underlying rights holders could allege infringement.
• Case precedents: Getty Images vs. Stability AI and authors’ suits against OpenAI illustrate real‑world enforcement actions when dataset usage lacks proper licensing approaches .

Under current copyright laws, can creators claim ownership of Sora videos?

Determining ownership depends on jurisdiction and the extent of human creative intervention.

U.S. framework

• Copyright Office stance: Purely AI‑generated works are ineligible for protection; some human edits can tip the balance toward copyrightability.
• Fair use considerations: Transformative repurposing of AI outputs may qualify as fair use, but reliance on this defense for commercial exploitation is legally risky.

U.K. and EU considerations

• UK “computer‑generated works”: Under the UK’s Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, the author is the person who made the arrangements for creation. This could allow the Sora user to own copyright if they directed the creative process .
• EU’s evolving stance: European proposals have debated mandatory licensing for AI training data and clearer ownership rights for AI outputs.

What do OpenAI’s terms of use say about commercializing Sora outputs?

Any intent to monetize Sora‑created videos must align with OpenAI’s policy framework.

Licensing and permitted uses

• Commercial use allowed: OpenAI’s policy permits distribution and sale of Sora‑generated content, with the user retaining any rights they might have, subject to compliance with applicable laws and policies .
• Prohibited content: Users may not generate or distribute videos that defame, incite violence, or depict sexual content involving minors. Violations can lead to account suspension or legal liability .

Attribution

• OpenAI does not require attribution for Sora‑generated outputs, but transparency about AI‑assistance is increasingly encouraged by professional standards in journalism and marketing.

What best practices should you follow when selling Sora videos?

To minimize legal and ethical risks, adopt rigorous workflows and transparent disclosures.

Conduct a rights clearance audit

• Source check: Understand the provenance of any sample footage or style references you used in prompts.
• Licensing add‑ons: When in doubt, layer in licensed stock assets or original music to reinforce defensibility.

Document human contributions

• Prompt logs: Maintain records of text, image, and video inputs along with timestamps.
• Editing proof: Showcase any significant human edits—voiceovers, color grading, or narrative cuts—that demonstrate creative authorship.

Disclose AI involvement

• Contracts and marketing: Clearly state that the video was AI‑generated, and specify the version of Sora or ChatGPT plan used.
• Client agreements: Ensure buyers understand usage rights and any third‑party limitations.

Getting Started

CometAPI provides a unified REST interface that aggregates hundreds of AI models—under a consistent endpoint, with built-in API-key management, usage quotas, and billing dashboards. Instead of juggling multiple vendor URLs and credentials, you point your client at base url and specify the target model in each request.

Developers can access Sora API  through CometAPI.To begin, explore the model’s capabilities in the Playground and consult the API guide for detailed instructions. Before accessing, please make sure you have logged in to CometAPI and obtained the API key.

New to CometAPI? Start a free  and unleash Sora on your toughest tasks.

We can’t wait to see what you build. If something feels off, hit the feedback button—telling us what broke is the fastest way to make it better.

Conclusion

Selling videos created with Sora is legally permissible under current OpenAI policies, but it requires careful navigation of copyright law, ethical considerations, and contractual clarity. By understanding Sora’s technical capabilities, adhering to terms of use, conducting rights audits, and transparently documenting human contributions, creators can monetize their AI‑generated videos while mitigating legal risk.