Delhi high court summons OpenAI in ANI copyright breach case

NEW DELHI: Delhi high court issued on Tuesday summons against US-based artificial intelligence firm OpenAI on a plea alleging unauthorised use of content by the company to train and operate its AI tool ChatGPT, thereby violating copyright laws. This is the first such lawsuit in India against a US-based AI major.

HC sought the AI major's stand on a suit filed by news agency ANI (Asian News International) against OpenAI Inc and OpenAI OpCo LLC seeking Rs 2 crore in damages and a decree of mandatory and permanent injunction.

Justice Amit Bansal, however, declined to grant any interim relief, pointing out that the matter involved a "range of issues", including those arising "on account of the latest technological advancements vis-a-vis copyrights of various copyright owners". HC indicated that it will appoint an amicus curiae in the suit.

The court also recorded a submission by counsel for OpenAI that it has already removed links and blocked the use of ANI's content , including the agency's official website.

The counsel for ANI highlighted that its content was being used by OpenAI to train its chatbot ChatGPT but that it's not limited to copyright infringement alone. The lawyer cited instances to allege the AI chatbot often wrongly attributed "fake news" to the news agency.

OpenAI maintained it has not committed any copyright violation and assured the court that its AI tool corrects any mistake that may creep in inadvertently. HC posted the matter for hearing in January next year.