India's Creative Industries Push Back Against Unrestricted AI Training Access
Film, music, publishing and broadcasting leaders are urging the Indian government to reject proposals that would allow AI companies to freely use copyrighted works for training. Industry representatives warned at roundtables last week that weakening copyright protections could damage the country's content economy and discourage investment.
The government has proposed granting broader access to copyrighted content for AI training, potentially at government-set rates. Industry stakeholders called on policymakers to withdraw these ideas and instead uphold a voluntary licensing framework where copyright holders and AI companies negotiate directly.
What Industry Leaders Said
Abhay Sinha of the film sector was direct: "Digital India must not become 'free for all India.' Our creative works cannot be treated as raw material for someone else's business model."
Music industry representatives echoed the concern. Sanjay Tandon said using creative works without permission amounts to theft. "It kills the artist, hollows out investment, and reduces risk taking," he said.
Blaise Fernandes of the Indian Music Industry noted that globally, copyright holders and AI companies are negotiating licensing deals. "Why can't the same be applicable to India?" he asked.
From the producers' side, Nitin Tej Ahuja of the Producers Guild of India said, "If you use someone's work or intellectual property, you must respect their rights."
The Economic Stakes
India's media and entertainment sector is valued at ₹2.78 trillion and is projected to cross ₹3 trillion by 2027, according to EY. The screen sector alone generated ₹5.1 lakh crore in output in 2024.
Avinash Pandey of the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation said India's ability to become a global content hub depends on trust. "Creators must trust the market will pay fairly, and investors must trust rights can be enforced," he said.
Industry leaders warned that weakening copyright enforcement could deter investment and slow growth across the ecosystem.
What Comes Next
Participants at the New Delhi roundtable, chaired by Sanjeev Sanyal, raised concerns over proposals to grant blanket access to copyrighted works at government-set rates. They urged policymakers to withdraw such ideas.
Supriya Yarlagadda said new technology needs safeguards and accountability. "The creative assets of our country must continue to grow," she said.
The Motion Picture Association's James Cheatley said the unified stance across sectors was significant. "There was a clear and united understanding that weakening copyright would undermine the very ecosystems that allow creativity and technology to thrive," he said.
As a creative professional, understanding how copyright protections affect your work is essential. Learn more about AI for Creatives and how these tools intersect with intellectual property rights, or explore Generative Art to understand the technology at the center of this debate.
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