Source: ET LegalWorld

 
The article examines the implications of Asian News International (ANI)’s lawsuit against OpenAI in India, which alleges copyright infringement for using ANI’s news content to train ChatGPT without authorization. Filed in the Delhi High Court, the case raises pivotal questions about the rights of content creators and the obligations of generative AI developers.

ANI claims that OpenAI’s training data violates India’s Copyright Act, 1957, as the AI system allegedly reproduces copyrighted material without consent. Legal experts argue that this case could set a global precedent for defining whether AI’s use of copyrighted data constitutes fair use or infringement. India’s copyright framework currently lacks provisions for transformative use, which is a key argument in the case.

The article also highlights international context—similar lawsuits in the U.S. and U.K. have shown differing outcomes, further complicating the jurisprudence. The Delhi High Court’s decision could clarify legal responsibility for AI developers and set guidelines for compensating content creators.

The case has also sparked discussions about creating a uniform global framework for regulating AI systems. Advocates emphasize the need for ethical safeguards and balanced copyright protections to prevent misuse while enabling innovation.