The Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF) and the Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF), along with 14 industry bodies, have submitted a detailed response to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s (DPIIT) Working Paper 1 on Generative AI and Copyright, calling for a policy framework anchored on “consent, credit and compensation”.

In a LinkedIn post yesterday, the (IBDF), on behalf of the co-signatories to the representation, said they strongly support the government’s vision of building a responsible and innovation-driven artificial intelligence ecosystem, but stressed that the growth of AI must rest on strong legal and commercial foundations that protect India’s creative industries.

Describing AI as a transformative opportunity for India’s digital economy, IBDF and IDMIF said the future framework should reinforce foundational copyright principles, enable transparent and voluntary licensing mechanisms, provide legal certainty and commercial clarity, and ensure that innovation progresses alongside creator rights.

“The broadcasting and digital ecosystem supports innovation, but it must be built on permission and accountability — not uncompensated or compulsory use of protected works,” said Kevin Vaz, President of IBDF and IDMIF in the LinkedIn post.

He added that royalty mechanisms must reflect the diversity and scale of India’s creative investments to ensure sustainable growth.

The industry bodies — co-signatories to this initiative include the likes of CII, Motion Pictures Association, AVIA, FFI, IMI, IMPAA and NBDA — have said that as DPIIT lays the foundation for India’s AI governance architecture, the government has a historic opportunity to craft a balanced and legally robust regime that strengthens copyright, promotes responsible AI development and reinforces India’s position as a leader in both technology and creative excellence.

IBDF and IDMIF in the post said they remain committed to working closely with the government and stakeholders to advance a progressive, inclusive and future-ready AI policy framework.