Delhi HC Seeks Clarity From Meta On Copyright Tool Access Rules For Users

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked Meta to explain the criteria it uses to grant users access to its copyright management tool, which allows creators to protect and manage their original content on Facebook and Instagram. The court raised questions over why access to the tool is not available to all content creators, particularly after a petitioner alleged that other users had exploited the system to claim copyright over his original videos.

A bench headed by Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani was hearing a petition filed by content creator Mohit Kumar, who alleged that certain individuals downloaded his content and subsequently used access to Meta’s Rights Manager tool to assert copyright claims over his videos.

Kumar argued that he was unable to make similar claims over his own content because Meta had not provided him access to the copyright management system. During the hearing, Justice Bhambhani questioned Meta’s policy for deciding which users are granted access to the tool. The judge remarked, “Why does everybody not have access to it then?” He compared the situation to “giving the key to the robber and not to the owner of the house”, highlighting the concern that a system intended to protect creators could potentially be misused if access is granted to third parties while the original creator is excluded.

Kumar’s case centres on his claim that the disputed videos were his original content and that other individuals allegedly used Meta’s copyright management mechanism to assert rights over material they had obtained from him. The petitioner has argued that the absence of access to the tool left him at a disadvantage when attempting to protect his work or challenge claims made against his content.

Kumar is an Indian e-commerce and artificial intelligence business coach who produces educational material on social media under the handle “Rise with Mohit”. His petition has brought the functioning of Meta’s copyright enforcement system before the Delhi High Court, including questions over how creators qualify for access and what safeguards are in place to prevent the system from being misused.

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Meta’s Rights Manager is designed to help eligible rights holders identify and manage the use of their copyrighted material on Meta’s platforms. Such tools can allow creators and rights holders to monitor content matching their original work and take action where appropriate. The court’s questions, however, focus on the criteria through which Meta determines eligibility and whether those criteria can create an imbalance between original creators and other users. The court’s observation also raises a broader issue concerning the administration of automated and platform-based copyright enforcement.

If a creator does not have access to the same mechanism used by another person to claim rights over their work, questions can arise about the fairness and effectiveness of the platform’s dispute-resolution process. The court is examining the specific circumstances of Kumar’s complaint while seeking clarity from Meta on its access policy. The Delhi High Court’s direction requires Meta to explain how it decides which users receive access to the copyright management tool.

The proceedings could provide greater clarity on the platform’s eligibility requirements and the safeguards available to creators whose original work is allegedly subjected to improper copyright claims. The matter remains before the court, with Meta expected to respond to the questions raised during the hearing.

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