The Delhi High Court has sought clarity on Meta Rights Manager Access after a content creator alleged that third parties misused the copyright tool to target his original videos. The Court asked Meta to disclose its eligibility criteria and access policy.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani heard the matter and directed Meta Platforms Inc. to place its Rights Manager guidelines on record.
Court Questions Rights Manager Eligibility
The Court asked Meta to explain how it decides who can access Rights Manager.
The platform must disclose its eligibility requirements. It must also explain how it accepts or rejects applications.
Justice Bhambhani questioned why Meta does not provide the tool to all creators who seek copyright protection.
The Court also examined concerns about unequal access among content creators.
Mohit Kumar Alleges Copyright Tool Misuse
The case concerns Mohit Kumar, an artificial intelligence, business and e-commerce coach. He publishes educational content under the name “Rise With Mohit.”
Kumar alleged that unknown persons downloaded his original videos. They then allegedly used Rights Manager to claim ownership of his content.
He claimed that these individuals used the system to trigger copyright strikes against his social media accounts.
Kumar also said that he could not access the same copyright-protection system. His counsel told the Court that he had applied for access three times.
According to Kumar, Meta rejected each application without providing a clear explanation.
Court Examines Differential Access
Kumar’s counsel argued that some creators with smaller audiences had received access to Rights Manager.
At the same time, creators with significant engagement and commercial collaborations allegedly faced difficulties obtaining access.
Justice Bhambhani questioned the basis for this difference.
The Court compared the situation to “giving the key to the robber and not to the owner of the house.”
How Rights Manager Works
Rights Manager helps eligible copyright owners identify content that matches their original material.
The tool operates across platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Rights holders can use it to manage unauthorised uses of their content.
Meta considers several factors when assessing applications. These may include the creator’s content catalogue, copyright history and content integrity status.
The Court has asked Meta to provide the relevant policy and eligibility criteria.
Meta Says Copyright Strikes Were Reversed
Meta informed the Court that it had reversed the disputed copyright strikes against Kumar.
The company also restored content that it had removed because of those strikes.
Meta stated that Kumar’s accounts had never been suspended. His accounts remain accessible.
The company also indicated that it would reconsider his Rights Manager application after completing the required verification.
Court Directs Content Restoration
The High Court directed Meta to restore Kumar’s removed content if he provides sufficient proof of ownership.
He must also establish that the disputed copyright claims were false.
The Court issued summons in the suit and notice on Kumar’s application for interim relief.
Digital Creators Raise Wider Concerns
Justice Bhambhani noted that similar copyright disputes have appeared in other cases involving digital creators.
The Court said it may need to examine whether weaknesses in Meta’s copyright enforcement system contribute to recurring disputes.
The matter will next come up on September 24, 2026. A connected matter involving similar copyright concerns will also come up on that date.
Connected Case Involves Another Creator
The connected case concerns content creator Saurabh Maurya.
Maurya has alleged that Instagram suspended his account after a copyright strike. He claims the strike later proved to be false.
The connected proceedings raise broader questions about the authority of social media platforms to suspend accounts based on copyright complaints.
The Delhi High Court’s proceedings could therefore have wider implications for Meta Rights Manager Access and copyright protection for digital creators.
