Washington – As India reviews policies governing how AI can use copyrighted material for training, one proposal from its draft working paper is for a centralized, mandatory licensing system for all works registered in India. This proposal, if adopted, would significantly restrict AI development and deployment in the country. The Computer & Communications Industry Association filed comments today on the proposed “One Nation, One License, One Payment” framework, warning that the approach is fundamentally misdirected and risks undermining innovation.
CCIA’s filing focuses on how India’s proposal reflects a monumental shift in AI policy that raises significant legal, economic, and practical concerns. Additionally, the comments discuss the approach’s inconsistencies with U.S. copyright law and other international frameworks, as well as the harms to India’s AI innovation and competitiveness.
The following can be attributed to CCIA’s Vice President of Digital Trade, Jonathan McHale:
“India has enormous potential to be a global leader in developing and deploying AI, but that leadership will depend on policies that enable, rather than constrain, innovation. Policymakers around the world have recognized the importance of creating a safeguarded space where AI training can occur without incurring copyright liability, and thereby supporting innovation and national competitiveness. Jurisdictions including the United States, Japan, Singapore, and the European Union have either reaffirmed existing copyright limitations or adopted exemptions to ensure lawful access to material crucial for AI training and development. As India prepares to showcase its ambitions at the upcoming AI Impact Summit, we encourage policymakers to pursue a balanced, innovation-friendly approach that aligns with global best practices and supports India’s growing AI ecosystem.”
