Delhi High Court Seeks Answers From Meta

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned Meta over its eligibility criteria for Rights Manager, a content-protection tool that allows rights holders to identify and act against unauthorised use of their copyrighted material on Meta platforms.

The issue came up during a hearing involving content creator Mohit Kumar, whose side alleged that established creators with significant followings were unable to obtain access to Rights Manager, while scammers appeared to be using the system to issue fraudulent copyright strikes against original content.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani asked Meta to place its policies, guidelines and eligibility criteria for Rights Manager on record, along with the basis on which access is granted or denied.

What Is Meta’s Rights Manager?

Rights Manager is designed to help copyright owners protect their content across Meta platforms. It can identify matching content and provide rights holders with mechanisms to manage potential copyright infringements.

However, allegations before the court suggest that the system can potentially be exploited by bad actors. Fraudsters are accused of using copyright complaints to target creators, potentially leading to content removals, account restrictions or other consequences.

Why Has the Issue Become Serious?

The controversy goes beyond simple copyright disputes. Earlier proceedings before the Delhi High Court have raised allegations that fraudulent copyright claims can be used to pressure or extort digital creators.

Reports have also highlighted alleged manipulation of Facebook’s post-editing functionality to create the appearance that certain content existed earlier, which could then be used to support false copyright claims Elevaredailynexus.

In a related development, the court had directed Meta to provide information that could help identify individuals allegedly involved in fraudulent copyright complaints against a creator.

The Bigger Question for Content Creators

The latest hearing raises an important question for India’s rapidly growing creator economy: If copyright-protection tools are designed to protect creators, how can access and enforcement mechanisms prevent those same tools from being weaponised against them?

For creators who depend on Instagram, Facebook and other digital platforms for income and visibility, an incorrect copyright strike can have serious consequences. Content may be removed, accounts may face restrictions, and creators can potentially lose audience reach and revenue.

What Happens Next?

Meta is expected to place its Rights Manager policy, eligibility requirements and the reasons for denying access to certain applicants before the Delhi High Court.

The court’s scrutiny could have wider implications for how social-media platforms verify copyright complaints, grant access to enforcement tools and protect creators from fraudulent claims.

The case highlights a growing challenge for digital platforms: protecting intellectual property without allowing copyright-enforcement systems to become weapons against the very creators they are meant to protect.