GoKawiilDisney bids $20M for Character.AI tech license in bankruptcy sale
Character Technologies, maker of the chatbot Character.AI, disclosed in bankruptcy filings that Disney has offered $20 million for a non-exclusive, perpetual license to some of its intellectual property. The press release did not specify which assets Disney wants to license.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The offer is notable because Disney publicly accused Character.AI in September 2025 of sexually exploitive and harmful chatbots that misused its characters, forcing the startup to remove all Disney-related content. Disney's interest could suggest the company wants proven chatbot technology for its own AI ambitions, especially after its talked-about OpenAI partnership collapsed following Sora's shutdown, though whether Disney will ultimately win the bid or how it might use the technology remains unclear.
- Disney offered $20 million for a non-exclusive perpetual license to some Character Technologies IP amid its bankruptcy proceedings.
- Disney previously sent a cease-and-desist letter accusing Character.AI of harmful, sexually exploitive chatbots misusing its characters.
- The bid follows the collapse of Disney's potential partnership with OpenAI after Sora's shutdown, and Disney hiring former Character.AI chief Karandeep Anand as CTO.
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-10-13
Published there as: “Disney offers $20M for Character.AI’s scandal-plagued chatbot tech”
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