In a landmark ruling, the court held that using copyrighted material to train AI models qualifies as fair dealing for research, offering much-needed legal clarity for India’s growing AI ecosystem. OpenAI
New Delhi: In a judgment that could influence the future of artificial intelligence development in India, the Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of OpenAI in its legal dispute with news agency ANI, holding that the use of copyrighted content for training large language models does not, by itself, amount to copyright infringement.
The case centred on ANI’s claim that OpenAI had used its published news reports without permission while developing ChatGPT. ANI argued that its copyrighted material had been used without authorisation for AI training.
The court observed that training an AI model differs from reproducing or distributing copyrighted work. It held that the process falls within the scope of fair dealing for research under India’s Copyright Act, noting that AI systems learn patterns from large datasets rather than storing or republishing original content. It also found no evidence that OpenAI had reproduced ANI’s articles in a manner that infringed copyright.
The ruling is being viewed as a significant development for India’s AI ecosystem. By recognising AI model training as a research activity under existing copyright provisions, the judgment offers greater legal clarity for developers while highlighting the need to balance technological innovation with the rights of content creators.
Beyond this dispute, the decision is expected to influence broader conversations around AI governance, intellectual property, and innovation. As enterprises invest more heavily in generative AI and foundation models, access to training data remains a critical issue. The judgment may provide greater confidence for AI developers while encouraging policymakers to refine India’s legal framework for the AI era.
Globally, similar copyright questions are being examined in multiple jurisdictions. Although legal approaches continue to evolve, the Delhi High Court’s ruling is expected to become an important reference point in India’s evolving approach to responsible AI development.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.