Indian Media Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

India’s leading media outlets have moved to join a lawsuit against OpenAI, the US-based company behind ChatGPT, accusing the AI of using their copyrighted content without permission. The legal action was initiated by Asian News International (ANI), India’s largest news agency, in November, marking a significant development in the country’s relationship with AI technology. ANI claims ChatGPT unlawfully utilized its material and is seeking damages of 20 million rupees ($230,000).

OpenAI, however, has denied these allegations, asserting that it operates within legal frameworks by using publicly available data, in line with widely accepted legal precedents. As OpenAI plans to expand its presence in India, the outcome of this case is of particular importance. India already boasts the largest user base for ChatGPT, and the lawsuit could have implications not only for the company’s future in the region but for how AI models train globally.

AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, are developed by processing vast amounts of data scraped from the internet, including content from numerous news outlets. Yet, there remains uncertainty about what constitutes legally permissible material for this purpose. OpenAI is currently facing multiple lawsuits around the world, with several other publishers, artists, and organizations accusing it of similar infringements.

Legal experts believe that the case filed by ANI could set a significant precedent for how AI models, including ChatGPT, operate moving forward, particularly regarding the use of copyrighted content to train AI systems. A ruling in ANI’s favor may lead to broader legal repercussions and potentially prompt AI companies to negotiate licensing agreements with content creators. On the other hand, a victory for OpenAI could pave the way for more lenient use of protected data in AI training.