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The Delhi High Court granted relief to Hrithik Roshan, who sought protection for his personality and publicity rights against unauthorised use of his persona for alleged
commercial purposes. According to Live Law, the court directed the removal of certain links and listings on social media and websites. However, the verdict declined to grant ex-parte relief against Instagram pages and fan clubs of Hrithik.
Delhi HC grants relief to Hrithik Roshan
As per the portal, Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said Hrithik’s pages could not be taken down at the present stage since there was no element of commercialisation and nothing defamatory was being said about him.
ALSO READ: Karan Johar Gets Relief In Personality Rights Case From Delhi HC; No One Can Use Picture, Voice Without Permission
Defending and representing Hrithik, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi submitted that his images and name that were used for profiteering purposes to sell merchandise such as bags and clothing. Videos of the War 2 actor were reportedly being used for dance tutorials in an unauthorised manner.
The court said in its order, "It's a song which is of Hrithik Roshan which they will be using for dance tutorial. They are using that performance to teach people. It is not commercial merchandise. At this stage i am not persuaded by this...This is available in public domain. Anybody can use this."
As per Live Law, for the plea to take down fan pages for violating his personality rights, the court noted that a fan page which uses Hrithik’s image for a non-commercial purpose can’t be taken down till the said person is heard. Granting relief, the court agreed to pull down AI content associated with the actor.
"We can't have fanclubs taken down at ex parte stage. Let this be for a later stage. I am not willing to take down fan pages. We will ask them to provide you BSI details. I understand commercialisation, morphed, obscene, but I don't understand fanclub takedown...Instagram use is not only commercial. People do it for fun and recreation. These pages are not defamatory to you at all," the court noted.
Akshay Kumar moves Bombay HC
On the other hand, Akshay Kumar approached the Bombay High Court to safeguard his personality rights, while alleging widespread misuse of his name, image and voice through deepfake videos, fake blogs and AI-generated content.
Recently, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karan Johar were among others to move the High Court to safeguard their personality rights.
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