A big update is coming from the Delhi High Court. On July 21, 2025, the Delhi High Court indicated that it is ready to transfer the copyright and trademark case filed by ANI from the Patiala House District Court to the High Court’s IP Division. But this case has many layers—from ANI’s initial copyright strikes on different YouTubers to Mohak Mangal’s “Dear ANI” video and then ANI’s defamation case against him. There’s a lot to look into, and this case could have a major impact going forward.
How the Mohak Mangal vs ANI Case All Started
This case has its roots in the period when ANI was issuing copyright strikes to several YouTubers, including Dhruv Rathee and The Deshbhakt (Akash Banerjee), for using short clips of ANI’s news footage. Many YouTubers also claimed that ANI was demanding huge sums of money—sometimes more than ₹10 lakh—to withdraw copyright strikes. They said ANI threatened that if they didn’t pay, their YouTube channels could be permanently deleted due to multiple strikes. Out of fear of losing their channels, some creators reportedly ended up paying the amount. These actions triggered a debate in the creator community about whether ANI was misusing copyright laws to control criticism. In response to this trend, Mohak Mangal uploaded his video titled “Dear ANI”—criticizing ANI’s approach.
But ANI did not take kindly to Mohak’s video. And on May 29, 2025, ANI filed one defamation case in the Delhi High Court, saying Mohak’s video of containing false allegations that harmed their reputation. Just a few days later, on June 2, ANI also filed a separate copyright infringement case in the Patiala House District Court, accusing Mohak of using their video clips and logo without permission.
But handling two separate cases in two different courts would be a hassle for him. So, on July 10, 2025, Mohak filed a plea requesting the court to transfer and combine both cases, since they are based on the same video and involve similar legal issues — especially the question of whether using short news clips qualifies as fair use under copyright law.
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What Mohak Mangal Shared in His Controversial “Dear ANI” Video
In the video, he openly criticized ANI for sending copyright strikes to YouTubers who used short clips from their news footage.
Mohak Mangal’s video. He basically called out ANI for sending copyright strikes to YouTubers who were using short news clips — sometimes just a few seconds long. He said that creators were being threatened with losing their entire YouTube channels unless they paid up—in some cases, over ₹10 lakh.
Mohak felt this was totally unfair, especially when the clips were being used for things like education, news commentary, or criticism, which usually falls under fair use. He explained the whole situation clearly and called out what he believed was a misuse of copyright law and compared this behavior to extortion
Why ANI Filed Two Separate Cases
ANI argues that the two cases are about different issues. The defamation case is about Mohak making false claims that hurt their reputation, while the copyright case is about him using their clips and logo without permission. They say even short clips need a license and are demanding ₹50 lakh in damages. ANI wants both cases to be handled separately, as they believe the legal issues are not the same
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What Mohak Mangal is Arguing in the Two Cases Filed by ANI
On July 10, 2025, Mohak Mangal submitted a request to the Delhi High Court, asking for the copyright lawsuit to be moved to the Intellectual Property Division, where his defamation lawsuit is already under consideration. His reasoning was that both cases are based on the same video and raise similar legal questions, especially about whether his use of ANI’s clips falls under fair use. By requesting the cases be handled together, Mohak hopes to avoid conflicting rulings and reduce the burden of fighting in two separate courts.
What’s Next in the Case?
- On July 25, 2025, the Delhi High Court will decide if both of Mohak Mangal’s cases (the defamation and copyright cases) should be combined and heard together. Combining them would make things easier and faster since both cases deal with the same video and similar issues.
- Late August 2025: The defamation case will continue in the High Court, where the court will discuss if Mohak’s video damaged ANI’s reputation.
Why This Case Matters
The case could set a major precedent on whether creators can use short clips of news content for commentary or educational purposes without facing copyright strikes. The outcome will impact how content creators and media organizations handle copyright claims. It could affect how free expression is balanced with copyright protection. The case could set a legal standard for future cases involving content creators and media houses—particularly about what counts as fair use and how companies like ANI use copyright law.
Conclusion:
Mohak Mangal’s response to ANI’s cases focuses on fair use and freedom of expression, defending his video as a legitimate critique of ANI’s practices. His request to combine the cases aims to streamline the process and avoid conflicting rulings.
This case is important because it could set a precedent for how copyright law is applied to content creators in India, balancing intellectual property protection with freedom of speech in the digital age.
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