ANI Files Defamation Lawsuit Against YouTuber Mohak Mangal Over Copyright Strike Allegations

In a significant development, ANI Media Private Limited, a prominent Indian news agency, has filed a defamation lawsuit against popular YouTuber Mohak Mangal in the Delhi High Court. The lawsuit stems from a video uploaded by Mangal, where he allegedly criticized ANI's copyright enforcement practices, accusing the agency of issuing copyright strikes for minimal use of their content and suggesting extortion-like behavior.

ANI claims that Mangal's video contained false and defamatory statements that have damaged the agency's reputation. The news agency is seeking damages and a permanent injunction to remove the video, alongside a ban on further defamatory content and the unauthorized use of ANI's trademarks.

The suit also names comedian Kunal Kamra and Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair as defendants for sharing Mangal's video on social media platforms, thereby amplifying the allegedly defamatory content. This has sparked a broader discussion on the boundaries of criticism and copyright enforcement in the digital space.

According to reports, Mangal's video highlighted instances where ANI allegedly demanded substantial payments, ranging from ₹45-50 lakh, to withdraw copyright strikes for using short clips of their content. This has raised questions about the balance between protecting intellectual property and the freedom of content creators to critique or discuss such practices.

The case has drawn attention to the growing tensions between traditional media entities and digital content creators, with many in the creator ecosystem viewing it as a pivotal moment for understanding licensing and copyright nuances in India. Experts suggest that the outcome could set a precedent for how such disputes are handled in the future.

As the Delhi High Court hears the case, the online community remains divided, with some supporting ANI's right to protect its content and others backing Mangal's freedom to express criticism. The resolution of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for digital content creation and copyright laws in India.