News Summary

• Character.AI, the chatbot startup founded by former Google researchers, has filed for bankruptcy.
• The company said it had taken steps to "sustain and improve" its business amid "significant legal, regulatory, and operational headwinds" Disney Worldwide Services, an affiliate of the Walt Disney Company, has agreed to act as the opening bidder for a non-exclusive, perpetual license to certain Character.AI intellectual property and claims.
• The startup said paid subscriptions remain active and billing is unchanged for now.