DPIIT working paper on AI and copyright proposes a hybrid licence
Asked by UPSCMains 2026 (GS3)1 PYQ
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
What happened
- DPIIT published Part 1 of a working paper by an eight-member committee set up on 28 April 2025 to examine generative AI and copyright law [PIB].
- The committee rejects a zero-price licence. It proposes a hybrid model: AI developers get a blanket licence to train on lawfully accessed content, and royalties become payable only when AI outputs are commercialised [PIB].
Background
- Options it rejected include blanket exemptions, text-and-data-mining exceptions with or without opt-out, voluntary licensing and extended collective licensing [PIB].
Why it matters
- This is a live question for news publishers, musicians and Indian-language creators whose work trains AI models.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2025-12-09): DPIIT published Part 1 of a working paper by an eight-member committee set up on 28 April 2025 to examine generative AI and copyright law.
- This is a live question for news publishers, musicians and Indian-language creators whose work trains AI models.
Quotable data pointDPIIT published Part 1 of a working paper by an eight-member committee set up on 28 April 2025 to examine generative AI and copyright law.
PIB: DPIIT: Working paper on AI-copyright interface, 9 Dec 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: Copyright Act, DPIIT. · Mains: regulating AI.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
The committee on AI and copyright was set up by
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Under the proposed hybrid model royalties are payable
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Copyright in India is administered under
Answer (a) & explanation
General knowledge.
Go deeper
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Official source: PIB: DPIIT: Working paper on AI-copyright interface, 9 Dec 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending