OpenAI is currently contesting allegations from major Indian media groups regarding unauthorized use of their content for training AI models, as part of an ongoing copyright lawsuit.

Detailed hearings in the Delhi High Court are scheduled to commence on February 21, 2025, to address ANI's copyright infringement claims against OpenAI.

This legal battle underscores the tensions between the rapid advancement of AI technology and the need to protect intellectual property rights within the media industry.

The lawsuit, initiated by ANI, seeks damages of 20 million rupees (approximately $230,000) and represents OpenAI's first significant legal challenge in India, a crucial market for the company.

In its court filing dated February 11, 2025, OpenAI asserts that it utilizes only publicly available data in compliance with fair use principles.

OpenAI has previously defended its data usage practices in various global copyright cases involving creators, including authors and musicians.

The outcome of this case could determine whether OpenAI will be required to negotiate licensing agreements with Indian publishers or if it can continue its operations without such arrangements.

This legal situation follows a recent visit by OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, to India, where he discussed the potential for developing a low-cost AI ecosystem with the country's IT minister.

OpenAI has invested $10 million to combat copyright-related claims globally, reflecting widespread concerns over its data usage practices.

The ongoing legal disputes also raise questions about the ownership of content generated by OpenAI's models, complicating discussions around intellectual property rights.

Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, OpenAI has faced multiple copyright allegations from various entities claiming misuse of their copyrighted content.

In December 2024, five major Canadian news media outlets filed a similar copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI, indicating a broader trend of legal challenges against the company.