YouTube has removed two major channels with fake trailers from monetizing their videos created with the help of artificial intelligence, Deadline reports.
The publication investigated how the channel Screen Culture creates trailers that mimic official marketing materials for franchises such as Fantastic Four, Incredibles and Superman, while adding footage generated by artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, KH Studio creates trailers for films with alternative actors, such as a James Bond film starring Henry Cavill and Margot Robbie, or The Squidward Game with Leonardo DiCaprio.
A Deadline investigation found that instead of protecting the copyrights of these videos, Hollywood studios like Warner Bros. Discovery and Sony are secretly asking YouTube to ensure that ad revenue comes from videos that use artificial intelligence.
YouTube has now suspended Screen Culture and KH Studio from its partner program for violating monetization policies, meaning they can no longer earn ad revenue on the videos they create.
YouTube's monetization policy states that if creators borrow material from others, "you must significantly modify it to make it your own." It also states that videos must not be "duplicate or repetitive" and must not be created "for the sole purpose of getting views."
The founder of KH Studio stated that the channel's goal is to entertain viewers with "what if" ideas, not to mislead them.