The Delhi High Court has taken a significant step to safeguard the rights and persona of renowned Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor. In response to a suit filed by Kapoor, the court issued an interim order preventing the unauthorized use of his name, image, voice, and dialogue for commercial purposes, including the misuse of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
(Image Source: Instagram)
In the suit, Kapoor expressed deep concerns about the misuse of tools such as generative AI, which have been used by individuals to tarnish his hard-earned goodwill and reputation. The court's order, delivered by Justice Prathiba M. Singh, carries several important provisions:
♦ Unauthorized platforms, including social media channels and e-commerce websites, are now prohibited from using Anil Kapoor's name, likeness, voice, or any aspect of his persona in an illegal manner for commercial gains. This order extends to prevent the creation of merchandise, ringtones, and other commercial products without Kapoor's explicit consent.
♦ Initially, there were reservations about protecting the word "Jhakaas." However, Kapoor's legal team argued that its protection was warranted due to its unique association with the actor.
♦ The court's order goes further to bar the misuse of artificial intelligence tools to manipulate Kapoor's image. It also prohibits the use of his image in GIFs or any content for monetary gains or commercial purposes if such activities are likely to violate Kapoor's rights.
♦ To enforce these protections, the court ordered the immediate suspension and blocking of domains using his name.
♦ The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) was directed to issue a blocking order specifically targeting pornographic videos that exploit morphed images of the actor.
♦ The court acknowledged Kapoor's right to privacy and the necessity of preventing the negative portrayal of his image, voice, or likeness, especially on inappropriate platforms such as pornographic websites.
♦ Anil Kapoor sought legal protection for a range of elements, including his name, the acronym AK, voice, image, and various sobriquets such as Lakhan, Mr India, Majnu Bhai, Nayak, and the famous phrase "Jhakaas." He also aimed to halt the unauthorized sale and dissemination of products like keychains, t-shirts, and audio-visual content featuring his persona.
This interim order by the Delhi High Court follows a pattern of similar measures taken in the past to protect the personality and publicity rights of celebrities, including a previous case involving legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.
In essence, the Delhi High Court's order underscores its commitment to protecting celebrities' reputations and personas from unauthorized and potentially damaging use, including the misuse of advanced technologies like AI and the creation of misleading content. Anil Kapoor's case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the rights and dignity of public figures in an increasingly digital age.
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