AI's Hottest Video Generator Sparks Black Market: Sora 2 Invites Selling for Up to $45

AI's Hottest Video Generator Fuels a Black Market: Sora 2 Invites Fetch Up to $45 on eBay

Just a week after its unveiling, OpenAI's groundbreaking video generation AI, Sora 2, has already spawned a lucrative underground economy. The highly anticipated platform, which promises to revolutionize content creation with its remarkably realistic and emotionally nuanced video output, has seen its coveted access codes appearing for sale on eBay, with some invitations fetching as much as $45.

Scarcity Breeds a Secondary Market

OpenAI has adopted a controlled rollout for Sora 2, granting initial access to a select group of users who receive a limited number of shareable codes. This deliberate scarcity, a common tactic to manage demand and gather feedback, has predictably ignited entrepreneurial spirits. Journalists have observed over 20 completed transactions on eBay where these digital keys to Sora 2's creative power were sold for prices ranging from $5 to $45. This situation mirrors past instances where exclusive access to innovative technologies quickly becomes a commodity.

eBay and OpenAI Push Back Against Speculation

The burgeoning black market, however, is in direct violation of eBay's platform policies, which prohibit the sale of digital goods where the seller lacks proper authorization. While eBay has yet to announce a widespread crackdown, the exposure of these sales significantly increases the likelihood of listings being removed. OpenAI itself has publicly denounced these speculative practices. A stern warning was posted on their official Discord server, explicitly stating that selling Sora 2 access codes is forbidden and may breach the service's terms of use. Nevertheless, enforcing these terms poses a considerable challenge, as distinguishing between legitimately shared codes and those acquired for resale is difficult. For now, OpenAI's response has been largely a stern admonishment.

Sora 2's Dominance in App Stores and Creative Potential

Despite the access issues, Sora 2's immense popularity is undeniable, as evidenced by its meteoric rise in the U.S. App Store. Dubbed the "TikTok with AI," the new video service has surged to the top of the "Photo & Video" category, eclipsing titans like TikTok, Instagram, and even YouTube. Its only remaining rivals in the overall chart are ChatGPT and Gemini, an astonishing feat achieved mere days after its launch. Sora 2 is powered by an advanced AI model described by OpenAI as significantly more "realistic and precise" than its predecessors. The platform enables users to generate videos complete with sound, emotional depth, and even sophisticated deepfakes. This capability allows everyday users to effortlessly craft high-quality custom anime and parodies of their favorite media with just a few clicks, blurring the lines between user-generated content and professional production.

Global Availability and Competitive Landscape

Currently, Sora 2 is accessible only in the United States and Canada, exclusively on iOS devices. However, rumors suggest an Android version is already in development. In the competitive AI video generation landscape, Sora 2 faces formidable rivals. Veo 3, a notable competitor, is available to users in Ukraine. Recently, Google made a significant move by reducing its pricing for Veo 3 video generation by 50%. For now, users can explore Google's offerings while eagerly awaiting broader access to the revolutionary Sora 2.