PVLF 2025

Indian Publishers and DNPA Join ANI’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI Over Copyright Infringement

Indian publishers unite with DNPA in ANI’s lawsuit against OpenAI, raising concerns about AI-driven copyright violations and press transparency.
on Jan 28, 2025

Indian Publishers, DNPA Join ANI’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI

New Delhi, Jan 27: Indian publishers, led by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), have joined ANI Media's ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging copyright infringement and misuse of content. The case, set to be heard in the Delhi High Court on January 28, raises critical questions about intellectual property, transparency, and the ethical use of AI in the news ecosystem.

The core of the Case

Filed in November 2024, ANI's lawsuit accuses OpenAI of using its news content without permission to train large language models, including ChatGPT. The DNPA, representing major Indian outlets like The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and NDTV, argues that OpenAI’s practices harm original content creators and threaten press transparency.

Publishers’ Demands

The DNPA is demanding licensing agreements, compensation, and transparency from OpenAI. "Generative AI companies must engage with original content producers, license their work, and properly cite sources," said Anant Nath, Executive Publisher of Delhi Press. He emphasized that using proprietary content without consent falls outside fair use and requires commercial agreements.

Global Context

Internationally, media giants such as The Associated Press, News Corp, and Axel Springer have established licensing deals with OpenAI, valuing content and safeguarding intellectual property. Indian publishers argue that OpenAI’s lack of similar partnerships in India reflects a disregard for local laws and undermines the nation’s media industry.

Impact on Journalism and Disinformation Concerns

DNPA also highlighted the risk of AI amplifying misinformation and deepfakes. “AI models are supercharging misinformation and threatening the quality and diversity of news content,” the DNPA warned, urging proper checks to prevent algorithmic opacity.

Revenue Challenges

The lawsuit also touches on the broader issue of declining ad revenues for news platforms. Publishers criticized tech giants like Google and Meta for profiting from journalism while bypassing original content creators. Tools like Google’s AI Overviews, which provide direct answers to queries, reduce web traffic to publishers, further compounding the problem.

Call for Collective Action

Industry leaders, including The Indian Express's Anant Goenka, have called for collective action to protect journalism. “This requires an industry-wide response. Policymakers must ensure that news organizations get their fair share and that tech giants play fair,” he said.

Government’s Role

In a recent speech on National Press Day, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the need to safeguard intellectual property rights in the AI era, emphasizing ethical and economic concerns for original creators.

As the case unfolds, its outcome could set a precedent for how AI companies engage with India’s news industry and balance innovation with intellectual property rights.