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Delhi HC Holds OpenAI's LLM Training on Copyrighted Works as Fair Dealing Under Section 52(1)(a)

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
24 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Section 52(1)(a) of Copyright Act2024prima facie viewRAG techniqueANI blocklisted domain
Bodies:Delhi High CourtOpenAIANI Media Pvt Ltd
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Delhi HC ruled that OpenAI's storage of ANI's copyrighted works for LLM training falls under fair dealing (Section 52(1)(a) of Copyright Act) and does not amount to infringement.

2.The court found that ChatGPT outputs using RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) were not substantially similar to ANI's inputs, rejecting claims of memorisation or regurgitation.

3.Balance of convenience favoured OpenAI, as an interim injunction would cause irreparable injury to OpenAI and the public at large.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Delhi High Court ruled that OpenAI's use of copyrighted works to train its large language models (LLMs) constitutes 'fair dealing' under Section 52(1)(a) of the Copyright Act, rejecting ANI's plea for an interim injunction. This landmark judgment sets a key precedent for AI training and copyright law in India, impacting the digital economy and intellectual property rights.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

CourtDelhi High Court (Justice Amit Bansal)
PetitionerANI Media Pvt Ltd
RespondentOpenAI Inc. and OpenAI OpCo LLC
Key Legal ProvisionSection 52(1)(a) of the Copyright Act (Fair Dealing)
Ruling DateJuly 24, 2026 (Friday)
Technique CitedRetrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
Action TakenOpenAI had blocklisted ANI's domain from future training (Nov 2024)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Court: Delhi High Court (Justice Amit Bansal)
  • ›Petitioner: ANI Media Pvt Ltd
  • ›Target this Data: Section 52(1)(a) of the Copyright Act (Fair Dealing)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Delhi High Court (Justice Amit Bansal)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Fair Dealing defence for AI training on copyrighted works

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which court delivered the ruling on OpenAI's use of copyrighted material for training ChatGPT?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Delhi High Court ruling on OpenAI:

1. The court held that OpenAI's use of copyrighted works for LLM training falls under fair dealing as per Section 52(1)(a) of the Copyright Act.

2. The court granted an interim injunction in favour of ANI, preventing OpenAI from using its copyrighted material.

3. The court observed that ChatGPT outputs using RAG technique were not substantially similar to ANI's inputs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

Which section of the Copyright Act, 1957 was cited by the Delhi High Court to support its finding of fair dealing?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary significance of this Delhi High Court ruling for the legal landscape of AI in India?

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