India's copyright applications surged 80.3% over five years, from 24,451 to 44,095. This surge strains a system ill-equipped to manage IP beyond registration, especially with generative AI now in play. The current framework, designed for music streaming disputes, cannot easily define 'use' for AI model training.
How We Got Here
Copyright law previously adapted to music streaming platforms, confronting new definitions of 'use' for digital content. A new 'State of Intellectual Property in India' report now reveals the IP ecosystem's rapid expansion clashes with outdated legal and institutional systems.
The Numbers
- Revenue from copyright increased from Rs 248.81 lakh (2020-21) to Rs 364.76 lakh (2024-25).
- Literary works comprised 65.1% of all copyrights registered in 2024-25.
- The Copyright Office had 17,328 applications pending in 2024-25, despite disposing of 26,767 applications that year.
- The 'State of Intellectual Property in India' report, by Advanced Study Institute of Asia, argues filings alone do not measure economic value.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
AI founders in Bangalore and Hyderabad face significant legal ambiguity, risking future lawsuits or stifling innovation if they use copyrighted data to train models.
The Take
The core issue runs deeper than simply clearing application backlogs; it's about India's missing framework for monetizing and enforcing IP in the AI era. This vacuum creates a high-stakes gamble for local AI startups, who will either navigate it successfully or get caught in expensive legal battles.
Source:
MediaNama ↗