YouTubers Accuse ANI of Copyright Crackdown Amid Ambiguity Over Fair Use
YouTubers vs ANI: The Growing Copyright Clash and India’s Outdated Digital Laws
New Delhi, May 27 (TheTrendingPeople.com): A simmering legal and ethical clash between India’s largest multimedia news agency ANI and the country’s fast-growing YouTube current affairs creator ecosystem has erupted into the open, with prominent YouTubers alleging "exorbitant" copyright demands and ANI defending its right to protect intellectual property.
On Sunday, Mohak Mangal, a popular YouTuber known for his explanatory videos on socio-political topics, released a video titled "Dear ANI", in which he revealed that the news agency had demanded Rs 40-50 lakh from him for using short clips in his content. Mangal claimed that multiple content creators have received similar demands and some even agreed to annual subscription deals with ANI under pressure.
Copyright Strikes and Monetization Threats
The issue centers on YouTube’s copyright strike mechanism, which allows content owners to claim infringement. A single strike can result in video takedowns, while three strikes within 90 days may terminate a channel—a dire threat to independent content creators whose livelihoods depend on continued access to their platforms.
Mangal and others argue they used ANI’s footage under “fair use”, a legal principle allowing limited use of copyrighted material for commentary, criticism, or news reporting without the need for permission. However, this principle remains murky in the Indian context.
According to a recent investigation by The Reporters’ Collective, this alleged tactic allows ANI to pressure YouTubers into expensive licensing agreements. By issuing strikes first and negotiating later, ANI effectively exercises unchecked control over digital speech, the report claimed.
ANI's Response: Protecting Intellectual Property
In a statement issued in response to these allegations, Asian News International (ANI) defended its actions, saying:
“As the exclusive copyright holder of its content, ANI has the sole legal right to communicate its work to the public or license its use. Enforcing these rights—through mechanisms like YouTube’s copyright policy or legal action—is not extortion. It is the lawful protection of property, as guaranteed by copyright law.”
ANI also recently filed a copyright infringement suit against OpenAI, claiming its content was used without authorization to train AI models.
What the Law Says—and Doesn’t
India’s Copyright Act of 1957 grants creators and organizations exclusive rights to control how their content is used. However, it includes exceptions under “fair dealing”, which permits limited usage for personal, educational, research, or news purposes—provided such use doesn’t commercially harm the copyright owner.
Yet, legal experts say the law is severely outdated.
“The Act inadequately addresses contemporary challenges such as online piracy, AI-generated works, and collaborative digital content ownership,” said Sonam Chandwani, Managing Partner at KS Legal and Associates.
She explained that the concept of “fair dealing” is essential to a healthy media ecosystem but remains vague in its application to digital content. For example, short news clips used for commentary may qualify—but only if they don’t substitute the original or affect its market.
YouTube’s Discretion and Its Limits
YouTube’s own copyright policy seeks to balance both creator rights and fair use. While it allows content owners to file claims or strikes, it also puts the onus on creators to contest them or seek legal remedies.
YouTube clarifies that it does not mediate disputes and leaves resolution between the two parties—or ultimately, the courts.
This system, critics argue, disproportionately favors large organizations like ANI, which have legal teams, over independent creators who cannot afford prolonged legal battles or risk losing their channels.
The Ravish Kumar Angle and Legacy Media’s Evolution
The battle between ANI and creators is not an isolated one. In 2023, Prasar Bharati filed copyright claims against a YouTuber for using clips from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings—footage that many believed should be freely accessible in the public interest.
Veteran journalist Ravish Kumar, formerly of NDTV and now a leading voice on YouTube, has raised the issue multiple times. In conversations with MediaNama and The Reporters’ Collective, he highlighted the “confusing and restrictive” legal environment:
“Before using any material, we’re faced with a long list on what not to do. So, there is no clarity on using Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha or Doordarshan videos.”
Balancing Copyright with the Right to Inform
At the heart of this controversy is the question of public access to news versus the right of original content creators to monetize their work. News agencies spend vast resources gathering footage, and with Big Tech platforms profiting from aggregating and hosting such content, many traditional media organizations are seeking compensation.
But in doing so, they risk alienating a new generation of independent voices—YouTubers and commentators who are increasingly shaping the public discourse, especially among younger audiences.
The Road Ahead: Reform or Ruin?
With India’s digital creator economy expanding rapidly, experts and creators alike are calling for urgent reform to copyright legislation to provide clarity, balance, and protection for both sides.
“We need updated, platform-specific regulations that recognize the unique dynamics of digital media. Otherwise, these disputes will keep stifling innovation and fair public discourse,” said Chandwani.
For now, the ANI-YouTuber copyright clash is a warning sign for all creators navigating India’s gray zone of digital rights. Until reforms catch up, creators remain vulnerable—and India’s digital democracy remains in the hands of legal ambiguity.