AI Copyright Review India: DNPA Backs Government’s Move

In today’s era, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has entered every part of our lives. Be it chatbots, automated news generation or video remixing – the interference of AI has increased rapidly. But meanwhile a new debate has arisen: AI copyright review India. Is it right to use the content of news websites or authors for training in AI tools without asking?

The government has taken this question seriously. The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) recently welcomed the government’s initiative to set up an official panel to understand and improve the complexities of AI and copyright. This article delves deep into this issue.

What Sparked the Tension Between DNPA and AI?

DNPA, a collective organization representing major news outlets like India Today, Amar Ujala, and Navbharat Times, believes that several AI companies are using their content without permission.

For example, when someone asks an AI tool, “What’s the latest news?”, the tool may generate an answer based on content taken from news websites. However, these sites often receive neither credit nor any form of payment.

DNPA sees this as a form of copyright violation. According to them, unless a company obtains permission or compensates publishers, AI models should not have the right to learn from or use such news content.

Government’s New Initiative – Review Committee on AI and Copyright

Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, the government has set up a committee under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The main goals of this committee are:

• To understand whether the Copyright Act, 1957 is still effective in the age of AI.
• To determine if changes to the law are needed.
• To identify which stakeholders (like publishers, tech companies, and writers) are being affected.

The DNPA has welcomed this initiative and expressed their willingness to share their experiences and suggestions.

What are DNPA’s main demands?

Permissionmust be required to use content
If an AI model learns from a news article or website, it should first get permission from the publisher.
Faircompensation is necessary
Just getting permission isn’t enough. DNPA says companies should pay for using the content—just like music companies get royalties, publishers should also be paid.
Support AI progress, but with balance
DNPA is not against AI. They clearly state that while technology should move forward, the rights of content creators must be respected too.

Why is this issue so important?

Imagine you write an article, and it goes viral. Then, an AI tool learns from your article and starts giving similar answers to others—without mentioning your name or paying you anything.

Now think, doesn’t that harm the writer or publisher? That’s why groups like DNPA are raising their voices.

This issue isn’t limited to India. Countries like the U.S., Europe, and Japan are also actively discussing it. Many governments are now considering making rules about AI and copyright.

Technical and Legal Complexities Related to This Issue

The intersection of AI and copyright is not straightforward. It involves several technical and legal challenges:

Where does the content come from?

If an AI tool pulls information from 10 different websites to generate an answer, it becomes hard to trace the original sources.

Who owns AI-generated content?

If AI creates something new, who holds the ownership rights? Is it the company that made the AI tool? The one who provided the data? Or the user who prompted it?

Old laws, new technology

India’s Copyright Act was established in 1957, a time when there was no internet or AI. Hence, it’s essential to update these old laws to match today’s modern technologies.

What could be the solutions?

DNPA has suggested some practical ideas:

• License Model for Data Use: Tech companies should get a license from publishers before using their content – similar to how it works in the music industry.
• Tracking System: Use technology to track how content is being used.
• Revenue Sharing Model: If an AI system uses content from a website and makes money, a share of that revenue should go to the original website.
• Public Policy and Consultation: The government, tech companies, and publishers should work together to create a common policy that protects everyone’s interests.

Looking Forward: AI’s Role in Tomorrow’s News

If this policy succeeds, it could lead to better cooperation between AI and journalism in the future. Content creators will get the credit they deserve, and technology will move forward in the right direction.

DNPA’s support shows that the news industry is not afraid of technology, but wants to embrace it the right way.

Conclusion

The AI copyright review in India is a much-needed move. While technological growth is important, it is equally crucial to ensure fairness and compensation for content creators.

If both DNPA and the government work together on this issue, India can move toward a balanced digital policy—where AI can progress, and content creators remain protected.