OpenAI vs ANI case: what it means for the future of information
The Delhi High Court ruled that OpenAI's use of ANI's content for training ChatGPT falls under fair dealing provisions of India's Copyright Act. The court found no evidence that the AI memorized or reproduced the agency's reporting, marking a significant legal precedent for AI training in India.
Why it matters
This ruling sets a major legal benchmark for how AI companies can use copyrighted news data, balancing the interests of media organizations against the development of generative AI models.
News agency Asian News International (ANI) sued AI research firm OpenAI in November 2024 for using its content to train ChatGPT without permission or payment. The generative-AI model allegedly hallucinated quotes and reports, wrongly attributing to the agency. The ANI, in its plea in Delhi High Court, has sought ₹2 crore in damages and an order barring OpenAI from using its work.
On July 24, 2026, Justice Amit Bansal ruled that storing ANI’s articles to train ChatGPT falls under Section 52 of India’s Copyright Act , which exempts private use and research from infringement. The judgment noted that ANI failed to show that ChatGPT reproduced or “memorised” its actual reporting, hence there was no infringement.
The 135-page order is the first detailed attempt by an Indian court to place AI training within the Copyright Act. It is an interim order, though, and ANI can appeal.
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