OpenAI has presented its case in an Indian court, arguing that deleting the training data used for ChatGPT would conflict with its legal obligations in the United States. This response follows a lawsuit from the Indian news agency ANI, which accuses OpenAI of using its content without permission.
The company claims that Indian courts do not have jurisdiction over this matter since OpenAI has no offices or operations in India. In its filing to the Delhi High Court on January 10, OpenAI pointed out that it is already addressing similar lawsuits in the US, where it is required to keep its training data intact during ongoing legal proceedings.
The lawsuit, initiated by ANI in November, has garnered significant attention as it touches on critical issues surrounding AI and copyright. ANI asserts that OpenAI used its published content unlawfully to train ChatGPT and seeks to remove this data from the company’s systems. OpenAI is familiar with such legal challenges, facing numerous lawsuits globally from copyright holders.
For instance, the New York Times has also accused OpenAI of misusing its content, to which OpenAI has responded by maintaining that its systems operate under the fair use of publicly available information.
During a November hearing, OpenAI indicated it would stop using ANI’s content. However, ANI contends that its previously published works are still stored in ChatGPT’s databases and need to be eliminated. The company also emphasized that ANI’s request falls outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts.
ANI has raised concerns about unfair competition, noting OpenAI’s partnerships with major news organizations that they believe give the AI firm an advantage. The case is set for a hearing in the Delhi High Court on January 28, as OpenAI continues to evolve from a non-profit to a for-profit entity, securing funding and partnerships in the media sector.
