ANI v. OpenAI – Hearing Timeline

The suit was heard for the first time by Justice Amit Bansal. OpenAI raised a preliminary objection regarding the Delhi High Court’s territorial jurisdiction, arguing that, as a U.S.-based entity with servers located abroad, it does not fall under Indian jurisdiction. The court deferred the jurisdictional ruling, awaiting OpenAI’s written statement. The court also issued notice in ANI’s interim relief application.

Federation of Indian Publishers, and Digital News Publishers Association and some of its members seek intervention in the suit. Court observes that it will hear OpenAI’s objection to its jurisdiction while hearing the application for interim injunction. Court fixed three hearing dates – February 21, March 10 and March 18.

Noting Open AI Inc. (Defendant No. 1)’s submission that it is “neither responsible for operation of services of ChatGPT services or its training, and is neither the owner or lessee of the servers on which ChatGPT training data is stored or through which the ChatGPT service is operated”, Delhi High Court deleted it as a party also noting ANI’s no-objection.

The Indian Music Industry, and its members, including Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited and Saregama India Limited sought intervention in the suit submitting they will make submissions on issues of law.