Leaders from across India’s creative ecosystem have come together to call for stronger copyright protections in the age of artificial intelligence, stressing that innovation must not come at the cost of creators’ rights. The discussions took place through a series of industry roundtables held in Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, bringing together stakeholders from film, music, publishing, broadcasting, and digital media.

According to a press release from Motion Picture Association, the roundtables highlighted growing concerns around the use of copyrighted content for AI training without adequate safeguards. Industry bodies collectively urged policymakers to reinforce existing copyright frameworks rather than dilute them, underlining that copyright remains central to sustaining creativity, investment, and employment across the sector.

The scale of the industry underscores the significance of the issue. As per EY’s Stories, Scale and ‘Impact: Unlocking India’s Media and Entertainment Economy’ report, India’s media and entertainment sector is valued at Rs.2.78 trillion, contributes around 0.8 per cent to the national GDP, and supports nearly 2.8 million direct jobs along with over 10 million indirect jobs. The sector is projected to cross Rs.3 trillion by 2027, reflecting its growing economic importance.

Within this ecosystem, the film, television, and streaming industries play a critical role. A 2025 study by the Motion Picture Association and Deloitte estimated that India’s screen industries generated approximately Rs.5.1 lakh crore in economic output in 2024, supporting more than 2.6 million jobs nationwide. Industry representatives emphasised that such growth depends heavily on a stable and predictable policy environment.

Participants at the roundtables called on the government to reject proposals that could weaken copyright protections, particularly concerns around granting blanket access to copyrighted works for AI training at regulated rates. Instead, they advocated for a framework built on three principles—consent from rightsholders, voluntary licensing agreements, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to address infringement in the digital space.

A whitepaper titled ‘AI in the Creative Industry: Deepening the Value Chain’, released by Koan Advisory in association with Creative First, highlighted how AI is already being integrated into filmmaking and content creation processes while maintaining creativity at its core.

The New Delhi roundtable, chaired by Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, saw industry participants raise objections to proposals linked to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade regarding access to copyrighted material for AI training. The delegation urged that such proposals be reconsidered, favouring the existing copyright framework based on voluntary licensing.

Industry voices were largely aligned in their messaging. Representatives from organisations such as the Film Federation of India, Indian Music Industry, Producers Guild of India, and Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation emphasised that copyright is fundamental to sustaining creative livelihoods. They noted that weakening protections could undermine investment, reduce incentives for content creation, and disrupt the broader creative economy.

Speakers also stressed that artificial intelligence and copyright are not inherently in conflict. Instead, they argued that strong copyright protections are essential for ensuring responsible AI development, fostering innovation while safeguarding the interests of creators and rightsholders.

The roundtables form part of ongoing engagement between industry stakeholders and policymakers, including earlier discussions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. As India positions itself as a global leader in both content creation and emerging technologies, the debate around copyright and AI is expected to remain central to shaping the future of the country’s creative economy.