War 2 and RRR star Jr NTR has secured legal protection over his personality and publicity rights following a landmark Delhi High Court ruling. The court
has restricted unauthorized use of his name, image, and popular identifiers like “Jr. NTR,” “Tarak,” and moniker such as “Man of Masses” or “Young Tiger” on social media, e-commerce sites, or other platforms . The judgment also extends to AI-generated content, morphed visuals, and merchandise, ensuring that third parties respect his identity.
Jr NTR Wins Legal Battle to Safeguard Personality And Publicity Rights
Jr NTR has achieved a legal victory as the Delhi High Court granted him protection over his personality and publicity rights. The court emphasized that Jr NTR has acquired considerable goodwill and celebrity status in India, with his name, image, and likeness being uniquely associated with him in the public mind. This recognition grants him proprietary rights over his identity and associated elements. The ruling further stresses that personality and publicity rights are an extension of fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, enforceable under the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Platforms hosting content featuring Jr NTR are required to treat complaints under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and remove infringing material within the said timelines. The court also issued notice against anonymous or unidentified online entities, restraining trolls and other offenders from exploiting the actor’s persona for commercial gain or unlawful purposes.
This decision marks an important precedent, highlighting the responsibility of digital platforms and third parties to ensure respectful and lawful use of public figures’ identities. Any misuse or misrepresentation of Jr NTR’s picture, name, or likeness that harms his reputation is said to get strict legal consequences.
