Why book publishers in India are suing OpenAI

After the ANI press agency (the equivalent of AFP in India), this time it is the literature sector which is stepping up to the plate. Indeed, Indian book publishers, supported by their international counterparts, are taking on OpenAI in court for alleged copyright violations. The case, filed in New Delhi, raises questions about the use of copyrighted works to train artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT.

Indian book publishers accuse OpenAI of copyright violations

The Indian publishers’ group, known as the Federation of Indian Publishers, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in the Delhi High Court. This case joins a series of lawsuits worldwide involving authors, musicians and news agencies. The latter accuse technology companies of exploiting their protected content to train artificial intelligence models, such as the famous ChatGPT.

The complaint, filed on behalf of prestigious members such as Bloomsbury, Penguin Random House, Cambridge University Press, and several Indian publishers such as Rupa Publications, demands that OpenAI stop accessing their copyrighted content. Pranav Gupta, general secretary of the federation, said: “ If OpenAI refuses to enter into licensing agreements, they should remove the databases used to train their models and explain how publishers will be compensated. This has a direct impact on creativity.«

Book summaries generated by ChatGPT worry publishers

Automated book summaries are at the heart of this controversy. A recent example revealed that ChatGPT could provide detailed summaries of books like the first volume of Harry Potter. Although the tool does not directly share full texts, there are concerns about how it works. Publishers fear that these free summaries will dissuade readers from purchasing the original books, putting their revenue at risk.

The complaint filed by the federation claims to have obtained evidence showing that OpenAI used copyrighted literary works to train its model. “ Why would people buy books if these tools produce summaries and excerpts for free? » Ask Pranav Gupta.

OpenAI under fire from international legal actions

This Indian case is part of a global context where artificial intelligence companies are increasingly facing lawsuits. Many creators are calling for the removal of copyrighted content used to train these systems. However, OpenAI claims that its models comply with fair use laws and are based only on public data.

In another suit filed by Indian news agency ANI, OpenAI argued that Indian courts do not have jurisdiction because its servers are based abroad. The federation disputes this argument, pointing out that OpenAI actively offers its services in India, which makes it subject to local laws.

A key legal issue for the future of AI in India

According to lawyer Siddharth Chandrashekhar, this case could become a major precedent in the development of the legal framework around artificial intelligence in India. He believes that the judgment in this case will have to balance the protection of intellectual property and technological innovation.

As a reminder, OpenAI, supported by Microsoft, raised $6.6 billion in 2022 and aims to maintain its leading position in the artificial intelligence sector. The company recently hired Pragya Misra, a former WhatsApp executive, to oversee partnerships and public policy in India, a growing market.

Next steps for Indian publishers’ complaint

For now, the federation’s complaint has been placed before a docket of the Delhi High Court, which has asked OpenAI to respond. A hearing before a judge is scheduled for January 28. Publishers hope that this decision will mark a turning point in the protection of literary works in the face of the rise of artificial intelligence technologies.

Faced with these accusations, the question remains open: how to reconcile technological advances with respect for copyright and the preservation of creators’ income? This legal debate could redefine the rules of the game for AI in India and beyond.