Copyright Protection of AI-Generated Works in India: Legal Vacuum and Policy Challenges

Abstract

In the creative industries, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a disruptive force, allowing computers to produce software-based, artistic, musical, and literary works on their own. Although computer-generated works are now recognized by Indian copyright law, human authorship is still at its core. Because works produced independently by AI systems are not specifically covered by the Copyright Act of 1957, there is a great deal of ambiguity surrounding authorship, ownership, originality, and enforcement. In order to determine if AI-generated works can be protected by copyright in India, this study looks at the current legal framework under the Copyright Act, 1957. It pinpoints the Act's doctrinal deficiencies, examines the policy and constitutional issues raised by these gaps, and suggests reform-focused fixes to bring technological advancement and the fundamental tenets of copyright law into harmony.