Creator Criticizes BuzzFeed’s AI-Animated Cupcake Series on Prime Video
The Story
A popular cartoon character created by author and illustrator Loryn Brantz has become the center of an intellectual property dispute involving BuzzFeed, Amazon’s Prime Video, and generative AI. Brantz, who created the “Good Advice Cupcake” character named Cuppy while working at BuzzFeed, says the company licensed the character to Prime Video for a series called Cupcake & Friends developed with AI tools. Brantz, who left BuzzFeed in 2023, called the project “an assault on artists everywhere” on Instagram and encouraged a boycott of BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed owns the Cuppy IP, according to a company spokesperson, who said the studio is “excited to use new technology to bring a dormant library series off the shelf.” Brantz said she is exploring legal options but is “not feeling as optimistic as usual.”
Key Facts
- Loryn Brantz created the “Good Advice Cupcake” character (Cuppy) in 2017 while at BuzzFeed.
- BuzzFeed owns the Cuppy intellectual property, according to a company spokesperson.
- BuzzFeed licensed Cuppy to Prime Video for a series called Cupcake & Friends developed with AI tools.
- The show is one of three new animated shows greenlit through the GenAI Creators’ Fund, a joint initiative of Amazon Web Services and Amazon MGM Studios.
- Brantz left BuzzFeed in 2023 and calls the AI-animated project “an assault on artists everywhere.”
- Jonah Peretti, president of BuzzFeed AI and former CEO, said human creativity would remain at the core of the project, with AI used as a “creation tool.”
- Brantz declined to sign a nondisclosure agreement to learn more details about the project.
Conflicting Reports
Brantz says BuzzFeed did not contact her about the project and only offered details after she made it clear she would speak out. BuzzFeed’s Jonah Peretti stated the company shared information with her and respected her decision not to be involved because of her opposition to AI.
Still Unclear
What legal options Loryn Brantz is pursuing. How exactly AI tools will be used in the production of Cupcake & Friends.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Loryn Brantz – author, illustrator, former BuzzFeed executive creative director
- Jonah Peretti – president of BuzzFeed AI, former CEO of BuzzFeed
- Unnamed BuzzFeed spokesperson
Sources: Wired
