Today, On 17th October, The Delhi High Court has asked YouTube and ANI to respond to digital creator Mohak Mangal’s plea seeking reinstatement of his videos removed due to copyright strikes. The court directed YouTube to file a detailed reply within two weeks.
YouTuber Mohak Mangal accused Asian News International (ANI) of misusing copyright laws to extort money from creators. After receiving strikes for using brief ANI footage, Mangal claims ANI requested ₹45-50 lakh to remove them. The situation raises concerns about copyright ethics and threatens the digital creator community in India.
OpenAI defended ChatGPT in the Delhi High Court against ANI Media’s copyright infringement claims, asserting that copyright protects original expression, not public facts. ChatGPT’s output does not copy ANI’s style or content, and the court will assess the case further on May 16, 2025, with current copyright laws and fair use considerations.
OpenAI has claimed immunity from copyright infringement in India regarding allegations from ANI, asserting that its LLM training and data storage occur outside the country, thus falling outside Indian copyright law. OpenAI’s attorney argued there’s no direct use of ANI’s content and that no evidence of copyright violation has been presented.
Kunal Kamra is embroiled in controversy following his video “Naya Bharat,” leading to T-Series issuing a copyright strike due to the use of altered song lyrics. Kamra defended his work, claiming it falls under fair use and criticized T-Series for potential implications on other creators. He expressed disdain for corporate dominance, holding up a copy of the Indian Constitution as a symbol of his rights. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister and law enforcement initiated action against Kamra for remarks about Eknath Shinde, while Kamra remains defiant, stating he won’t apologize. The incident has sparked significant political backlash and debates over freedom of expression.
OpenAI is currently battling a copyright lawsuit in India, arguing that Indian courts lack jurisdiction due to its US-based operations. This legal challenge comes after similar defenses by Telegram failed in past cases. The case highlights the growing scrutiny of US tech firms’ compliance with local laws in foreign markets. Legal experts suggest the case could still be heard in Indian courts, despite OpenAI’s jurisdiction claim.
Former Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel discussed AI’s influence on copyright and trademark laws during the 5th Professor Shamnad Basheer Memorial Lecture. He examined issues of fair use, deepfakes, and the nature of AI as a creator or tool in intellectual property, raising critical questions about legal complexities and the originality of AI-generated works.