In the world of digital content, creators thrive on expression and storytelling. But when that freedom is threatened, it sparks a fire. YouTuber Mohak Mangal recently dropped a bombshell with his video “Dear ANI”, claiming that ANI—one of India’s biggest news agencies—is running a copyright extortion scheme.
According to Mohak, ANI hit his channel with multiple copyright strikes over the use of short clips. What followed were alleged demands ranging from ₹15 to ₹50 lakh to lift those strikes. “This isn’t copyright enforcement,” he said. “It’s a hostage negotiation.” That one line has resonated across India’s creator community.
Top Creators Rally Behind Him
It didn’t take long for other voices to rise. Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee slammed the situation as an “extortion racket.” Nitish Rajput pointed out how YouTube must do more to protect creators from being bullied. Even Thugesh, another known face, revealed that ANI demanded ₹15 lakh from him too—for using just two seconds of footage.
The ₹45 Lakh Resolution Deal?
Mohak shared that ANI allegedly offered a “settlement” of ₹45 lakh plus GST. This included ₹5 lakh per strike for eight videos, bundled with a two-year subscription to ANI’s video library. He refused. Instead, he chose transparency and the support of the public. And honestly, that took guts.
Fair Use Isn’t Fairly Used
This isn’t just about one creator vs a media house. It’s about fair use—the legal right to use parts of copyrighted content for commentary, news, or education. Mohak argued that short clips for critique are perfectly valid. I agree. If creators can’t speak freely with context, how can independent journalism or satire even exist?
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Government’s Attention Needed
Taking things further, Mohak reported the case to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. He also encouraged others to come forward if they’ve faced similar threats. He quoted PM Modi’s statement that content creators are “India’s digital ambassadors.” And he’s right—they shouldn’t be silenced for doing what they love.
This isn’t just a copyright issue—it’s a creator economy crisis. If content makers live in fear of takedowns or massive fines, creativity suffers. It’s time platforms and authorities step up to protect those who power the internet’s voice.
