The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has closed a complaint filed against Eros International Media Ltd. concerning the AI-modified re-release of the Hindi film Raanjhanaa. The informants had alleged that the re-release of a modified version of the film, reportedly incorporating an altered ending generated through artificial intelligence, was undertaken without the consent of the original creative contributors and amounted to anti-competitive conduct.

The informants contended that the modification and subsequent theatrical release of the altered version constituted anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position under Sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act, 2002. It was argued that the commercial exploitation of an AI-altered version of the film could affect competition within the film distribution market, including potential implications for consumer choice and market dynamics.

Upon examining the material on record, the Commission observed that the issues raised by the informants primarily related to disputes concerning authorship, consent, and intellectual property rights in the underlying creative work. The Commission noted that the allegations did not establish a nexus between the impugned conduct and any appreciable adverse effect on competition within the meaning of the Competition Act.

In the absence of material indicating anti-competitive agreements or abuse of dominance, the Commission held that no prima facie case was made out under Sections 3 or 4 of the Act. Accordingly, the complaint was closed under Section 26(2) of the Competition Act, 2002.

Source: https://www.cci.gov.in/antitrust/orders/details/1220/0