Startup Originals Team
B2B marketplace IndiaMART has approached the Calcutta High Court against OpenAI, alleging that its business listings were unfairly excluded from ChatGPT responses, resulting in commercial harm. The legal move marks one of the first high-profile court cases in India questioning how AI-generated platforms source and display business information.
Allegations of Unfair Exclusion
According to IndiaMART, ChatGPT has allegedly stopped referencing or surfacing its listings while responding to user queries related to suppliers, manufacturers, and B2B services. The company claims this exclusion has affected visibility for lakhs of sellers hosted on its platform, leading to loss of traffic, leads, and potential revenue.
Impact on Digital Discovery and Business
IndiaMART argued that AI-powered tools like ChatGPT increasingly act as gateways for online discovery. Any selective exclusion, it claims, can significantly influence user behaviour and distort competition. The marketplace contends that such practices place traditional digital platforms at a disadvantage without transparency or clear justification.
Legal Questions Around AI Platforms
The case raises broader questions around accountability, transparency, and fairness in AI-generated content. Legal experts say the matter could set an important precedent on whether AI companies can selectively block or deprioritise certain platforms without disclosure, especially when those platforms depend heavily on digital visibility.
OpenAI Yet to Respond Publicly
As of now, OpenAI has not issued a detailed public response to the allegations. The court is expected to examine whether the exclusion violates competition norms, causes unfair trade practices, or warrants regulatory oversight in the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem.
A Sign of Growing AI Scrutiny in India
The lawsuit highlights growing tension between traditional internet businesses and generative AI platforms. As AI tools increasingly shape how users search, compare, and transact, disputes like this signal that Indian courts may soon play a key role in defining the rules governing AI-driven information access.
Conclusion
IndiaMART’s move against OpenAI underscores a critical moment in India’s digital economy, where AI platforms are no longer just technology tools but powerful intermediaries. The outcome of the case could influence how generative AI systems interact with businesses and how accountability is enforced in the age of AI-powered discovery.
