What does Netflix require of productions using generative AI (data, copyright, IP clearance, likeness, tools, final output)?

Netflix's Studio Partner guidance (rendered 2026-10-23; scope: owned live-action scripted productions globally; unscripted, live, documentary and animation need separate guidance) frames AI as "creative support, not creative substitution" with work remaining human-authored and copyrightable, and supports only approved use cases. Key requirements: Data use - input only cleared material (no scripts, unreleased assets, production images, financial or personal data unless approved); never train/fine-tune on talent likeness or voice, Netflix material or third-party works without clearance; custom models only on your own production work or cleared material. Copyright - AI-only output may not be protected, so key creative elements (main/secondary characters, creature designs, hero props, fictional settings) need meaningful human authorship and prior written approval plus legal guidance. Third-party IP - tools can reproduce protected works, trademarks or trade dress unprompted; route anything recreating third-party works or appearing in the final title for clearance; seek legal guidance before prompts/references involving trademarks, copyrighted material or public figures. Talent - digital replicas may require documented consent; material alterations may too unless consistent with traditional post (cosmetics, wardrobe, noise reduction); replica models restricted to agreed scope. Ethics - avoid content mistakable for real events/people/statements; use proper production professionals per agreements. Tools - prefer enterprise tools that prevent capture/training/resale; proprietary or pre-release material must go through a secure path (enterprise, local/offline or Netflix-vetted), never free/personal/unvetted tools; review tool terms because tools may claim rights over inputs/outputs. Final output - anything in the final title, even background, needs escalation and written approval before delivery. Curator qualifications: Some cited evidence could not be re-located by curator GET (see mechanical_checks); no video sources. Netflix Studio Partner pages are JavaScript-rendered; curator GET returned shells without the quoted text (not verifiable this pass). Verified via the Studio Partner page JSON endpoints (discovery addendum C3-B376-ADD-02); bytes equal discovery hashes; scope as stated on the pages. Limitations: Undated page; applies to Netflix-owned live-action scripted titles; not law. Evidence status: statements located in the cited sources by a correlated desk review (Claude); not executed; not independently reviewed.

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  "citations": [
    {
      "url": "https://studiopartner.netflix.net/studio/branded-gen-ai",
      "note": "Our Point of View; Creative Output & Copyright Ownership; Third-Party IP & Clearance; Data Protection Tool Terms; Final Output; all excerpts located by curator GET of page JSON endpoints https://studiopartner.netflix.net/api/v2/subsites/studio/page/branded-gen-ai (sha256 6957f0af...) and .../generative-workflows-applications-and-use-cases (sha256 4d9c0737...)"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://studiopartner.netflix.net/studio/generative-workflows-applications-and-use-cases",
      "note": "Our Point of View; Creative Output & Copyright Ownership; Third-Party IP & Clearance; Data Protection Tool Terms; Final Output; all excerpts located by curator GET of page JSON endpoints https://studiopartner.netflix.net/api/v2/subsites/studio/page/branded-gen-ai (sha256 6957f0af...) and .../generative-workflows-applications-and-use-cases (sha256 4d9c0737...)"
    }
  ]
}