Court Grants Ex Parte Ad Interim Injunction Against AI Platforms and Online Retailers Misusing Celebrity Persona
In a landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court has granted Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha protection against the unauthorized exploitation of her personality rights by AI platforms and online retailers. The court issued an ex parte ad interim injunction, restraining defendants from using Sonakshi's name, likeness, voice, and image without her consent for commercial or personal gain.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Jyoti Singh, addresses the rising issue of AI platforms creating chatbots that imitate real-world personalities, including Sonakshi Sinha, without authorization. The court recognized the plaintiff's right to protect her persona from misuse that affects her dignity and privacy.
Sonakshi Sinha, represented by advocates Ms. Anushka Sharda and Mr. Abhi Udai Singh Gautam, argued that various AI platforms and websites were unlawfully exploiting her likeness to promote their products, often generating obscene and objectionable content. The court's decision mandates these platforms to remove infringing content within 36 hours.
The judgment is a significant precedent in the protection of personality rights, especially in the digital age where AI tools like chatbots, generative AI, and deepfakes can mimic celebrity attributes. The court emphasized the commercial detriment and reputational harm caused by such exploitation, reinforcing the legal protection celebrities have over their personas.
This case also highlights the importance of intellectual property rights in safeguarding an individual's persona from unauthorized use by technological advancements. Sonakshi Sinha's victory is a pivotal step in the legal battle against the misuse of celebrity likenesses, setting a standard for similar cases in the future.
Bottom Line:
Personality rights - Unauthorized exploitation and commercial use of a celebrity's persona such as name, likeness, voice, and image without consent is prohibited. Celebrities are entitled to protect their personality rights against misuse through AI tools, chatbots, and other mediums.
Statutory provision(s): Commercial Courts Act, 2015, Section 151 CPC, Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 CPC, Section 80(2) CPC, Order XI Rule 1 (4) Commercial Courts Act, 2015, Section 12-A of Commercial Courts Act, 2015
Sonakshi Sinha v. Character Technologies INC, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2870708
