First meeting held on AI’s impact on India’s copyright framework
The first meeting of the committee formed to look into the potential impact of artificial intelligence on existing copyright framework was held on May 16
The first meeting of the committee formed to look into the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on existing copyright framework was held on May 16, Friday. The committee, formed by the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) under the ministry of commerce and industry, includes academicians, intellectual property (IP) law experts, industry body representatives, and government officials.

HT has learnt that the committee will hold a total of 10 meetings over the next three months. The agenda is to discuss and assess whether the Copyright Act, 1957 requires amendments, needs clarification, or remains sufficient as it is, in light of emerging challenges posed by AI.
To be sure, there is no assumption within the committee that the law will be amended. One committee member stated that no definitive view has been formed yet, at least during the committee’s early stages. Although the discussions of the committee remain confidential, a person aware of the discussions told HT that the meeting on Friday was largely introductory where the scope of the committee was laid out.
HT had earlier reported that one committee member was hesitant to participate, citing a lack of expertise in AI. However, all members were present at the meeting on Friday, a person aware of the matter said. Interestingly, three officials from the IT ministry were present, despite the DPIIT listing only one as part of the committee.
By the end of the meetings, expected to go on till August, it is expected that a working paper will be published wherein the members will make their recommendations. The committee members are scheduled to meet next on May 23.
The committee’s formation comes at a time when the Delhi high court hears the case of OpenAI vs ANI, in which the news agency has sued the ChatGPT-maker for copyright infringement, alleging that its news articles were used to train AI models without permission or compensation.
ABOUT THE AUTHORSejal SharmaI am a technology policy reporter with the National Political Bureau at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi. I cover digital policy and the intersection of technology and society, focusing mainly on what's happening in India. My beat often involves tracking platform regulation, privacy, internet curbs, and the real-world impact of digital rules, among other things. Can usually be found reading government notifications so that you don't have to. I cover three key ministries: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Communications, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B). I am originally from New Delhi and a graduate of the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. Over the past nine years, I have worked across television, digital and print media with The Secretariat, CNN-News18, Tiranga TV, Interesting Engineering, and now Hindustan Times. Although I am not on X, I can be reached at sejal.sharma@hindustantimes.com for tips, a chat or book recommendations. I respond fast, usually within a couple of hours. Outside of work, I enjoy playing badminton and driving my car. I am a firm believer that every trip — work or leisure — deserves a fridge magnet.Read More

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