Indian Media Join Lawsuit Against OpenAI
India’s largest news organizations have joined a lawsuit against OpenAI for allegedly using their content without permission. Plaintiffs include The Indian Express, The Hindu, India Today Group, NDTV, and others. OpenAI denies wrongdoing, stating іt uses publicly available data within legal boundaries.
OpenAI CEO Visits India Amid Legal Dispute
During a visit to Delhi, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss India’s AI ecosystem. Altman emphasized India’s key role in AI and clarified past statements about India’s AI industry.
ANI’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI
ANI, India’s largest news agency, sued OpenAI in November, accusing it of copyright violations. ANI seeks damages of 20 million rupees ($230,000). The case could impact ChatGPT’s expansion in India, where it already has the largest user base.
Legal Uncertainty Over AI Data Use
ChatGPT is trained on vast datasets, but the legal boundaries for scraping and using copyrighted content remain unclear. OpenAI faces multiple lawsuits worldwide, including a major case from The New York Times demanding billions in damages.
Potential Industry-Wide Impact
Legal experts suggest ANI’s case could set a precedent for AI and copyright law. A ruling in ANI’s favor could force AI firms to license content, while a win for OpenAI may expand AI’s ability to use copyrighted data freely.
ANI’s Claims Against OpenAI
ANI alleges OpenAI used its content to train ChatGPT without permission. It claims OpenAI refused a licensing offer, blocked ANI’s data, yet still accessed it via third-party websites. ANI also accuses ChatGPT of misattributing statements to ANI, harming its credibility.
Indian Publishers Seek to Join Lawsuit
Indian publishers, including Penguin Random House India and Oxford University Press, have filed applications to support ANI. They argue OpenAI has signed licensing deals with foreign publishers but not with Indian media. OpenAI opposes their inclusion, stating the case should focus solely on ANI’s claims.
India’s Approach to AI Regulation
India is considering AI regulations. In 2023, the government advised that AI tools must obtain approval before launch if deemed unreliable. It also warned against AI-generated content that could impact elections. The ANI-OpenAI case could further shape India’s AI policies.
