Zaheer Darbar – Editor Entertainment
Bollywood Music Labels Join Indian Media Companies in Legal Battle Against OpenAI Over Copyright Infringement. In a significant development, leading Bollywood music labels, including Saregama, T-Series, and Sony Music, have joined forces with Indian media companies and publishers to sue OpenAI for alleged copyright infringement. The lawsuit, filed in the Delhi High Court, accuses the artificial intelligence company of using sound recordings and other copyrighted content without permission to train its AI models.
This legal action follows a lawsuit initiated last year by the Indian news agency ANI, which claimed that OpenAI had used its content without proper authorization. Since then, the case has gained momentum, with several media groups and book publishers stepping forward to challenge the practices of AI companies.
Growing Pressure on OpenAI
The lawsuit adds to the mounting pressure on OpenAI, which is already facing similar copyright challenges globally. India, being OpenAI’s second-largest user base, has become a critical battleground for this legal dispute. OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has defended its actions, stating that it uses publicly available data in compliance with fair use principles.
However, Indian music labels and media companies argue that OpenAI’s operations in India must adhere to local copyright laws. T-Series, Saregama, and the Indian Music Industry (IMI) group have collectively filed a plea in the Delhi High Court, expressing concerns over the unauthorized use of sound recordings. They emphasize that the lawsuit is crucial to protecting intellectual property rights in the digital age.
AI Systems and Copyright Concerns
The IMI group, which represents major players like Warner Music and Sony Music, has raised alarms about the potential of AI systems to extract recordings, lyrics, and compositions from the internet. They argue that such practices not only violate copyright laws but also threaten the creative industry’s economic and artistic foundations.
“AI companies cannot exploit copyrighted content without proper licensing or compensation,” said a spokesperson for the IMI group. “This lawsuit is about safeguarding the rights of creators and ensuring that innovation does not come at the cost of intellectual property.”
Global Implications
The legal battle in India mirrors similar disputes unfolding worldwide. In the United States and Europe, authors, artists, and media organizations have filed lawsuits against AI companies, accusing them of using copyrighted material to train their models without consent.
As AI technology continues to evolve, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how intellectual property rights are enforced in the digital era. It also highlights the need for clearer regulations to balance innovation with the protection of creators’ rights.
What’s Next?
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the case in the coming months. Meanwhile, OpenAI has yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest developments. As the legal battle intensifies, the creative industry and tech companies alike are closely watching the proceedings, which could reshape the future of AI and copyright law.
For now, the message from Indian music labels and media companies is clear: innovation must respect intellectual property, and creators deserve fair compensation for their work.
