India has set up an expert panel to assess whether its existing copyright framework is sufficient to handle disputes arising from the use of artificial intelligence (AI), an internal government memo has revealed. The move comes at a time when OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, faces legal action from Indian news publishers and book outlets alleging unauthorized use of their copyrighted material for AI model training.
The expert committee, formed by the Ministry of Commerce, has been tasked with identifying and analyzing legal and policy issues emerging from the intersection of AI technologies and copyright law. It will also review the adequacy of the Copyright Act of 1957 in addressing AI-related challenges and propose recommendations for reform, according to the memo.
The eight-member panel comprises intellectual property lawyers, government officials, and industry executives. Its formation signals growing concern within India’s regulatory ecosystem over how AI platforms handle copyrighted content, particularly as global disputes intensify.
OpenAI Faces Court Scrutiny in India
In New Delhi, a group of prominent Indian news outlets and publishers—including NDTV, Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and the Digital News Publishers Association—have filed cases against OpenAI. They allege that the company has used their content without permission to train ChatGPT, potentially breaching copyright protections.
Also read: Bollywood Music Labels Sue OpenAI Over Copyright in India
OpenAI, in response, has stated that it only uses publicly available data and offers website operators an opt-out option if they do not want their content used for AI training. The company maintains that its practices do not violate India’s current copyright laws.
Global Context of AI and Copyright Conflicts
The disputes unfolding in India mirror similar cases worldwide. Courts in several countries are hearing lawsuits from authors, musicians, and media organizations who accuse AI developers of using copyrighted works without authorization or compensation.
The review initiated by India’s commerce ministry reflects an emerging need to clarify and potentially update legal frameworks as AI technology evolves and impacts content ownership, use, and rights management.
This news was first reported by Reuters.
