Hollywood and Bollywood push for stronger AI copyright laws in India

The Motion Picture Association and Producers Guild of India have urged an Indian panel to reject broad AI exemptions, advocating instead for a licensing model to protect creators’ revenue and sustain India’s rapidly growing $13 billion entertainment industry

Hollywood and Bollywood studios are urging Indian regulators to tighten copyright protections to prevent artificial intelligence companies from using their creative content to train AI models, according to reports. As AI technology advances rapidly, governments worldwide are scrambling to establish rules that balance innovation with intellectual property rights. India’s current copyright laws do not explicitly address AI, prompting the government to form a panel this year to review potential gaps and suggest changes.

Film industry demands licensing over broad AI exceptions

The Motion Picture Association (MPA), representing major studios like Warner Bros, Paramount, and Netflix, alongside the Producers Guild of India, advocate for a licensing system rather than broad exemptions for AI firms. In a letter dated August 2, Uday Singh, MPA India’s Managing Director, warned that allowing unrestricted AI use of copyrighted works could “undermine the incentive to create new works and erode copyright protection.” Nitin Tej Ahuja, CEO of the Producers Guild, emphasized that licensing is essential for creators’ revenue and sustainability.

The panel, chaired by commerce ministry official Himani Pande, is expected to finalize its recommendations soon. Sources reportedly indicate the government is carefully weighing the impact on India’s booming entertainment sector, which generates over $13 billion annually and grows at nearly 18% per year.

Global context and industry concerns

Globally, responses to AI and copyright vary — Japan offers broad AI use exemptions, while the European Union allows content creators to opt out of AI training. The MPA opposes an opt-out system in India, fearing studios would be overwhelmed by having to police numerous AI platforms.

Meanwhile, AI companies argue for legal exceptions that permit lawful use of content. In a related development, Warner Bros filed a lawsuit against AI platform Midjourney in the U.S., accusing it of using copyrighted characters without permission, while Midjourney claims fair use protections apply.

As AI reshapes the entertainment landscape, India’s decisions could set significant precedents on how creative industries and AI technology coexist.