Amitabh Bachchan files suit in Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Friday filed a suit in the Delhi High Court. This was against the world at large, seeking protection of his personality right: name, image, voice, and personality attributes. The suit stated that Bachchan’s name, image and voice were being used by mobile application developers to conduct lotteries by illegally associating with Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

Amitabh Bachchan has also sought a restraining order against book publishers, T-shirt vendors and various other businesses. The actor has stated that only he has control over the commercial utilisation of his personality rights that are uniquely identifiable and associated with him. He added, no one can do the same without his consent or express authorisation.

As per ANI tweet, Eminent lawyer Harish Salve is appearing for Amitabh Bachchan. The matter is underway before Justice Navin Chawla.

Here is the tweet shared by ANI on Amitabh Bachchan filing suit for protection of his personality rights:

Bollywood legend & Veteran Actor Amitabh Bachchan filed a suit in Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights. Eminent lawyer Harish Salve appearing for him. The matter is underway before Justice Navin Chawla.

(File pic) pic.twitter.com/UlK3IPsh61

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2022

Justice Navin Chawla passed an interim order restraining persons at large from infringing Amitabh Bachchan’s personality and publicity rights. He also noted that the defendants were using the veteran actor’s celebrity status to promote their own businesses without his permission.

He said, “The plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable loss and harm. Some of the activities may even bring his disrepute. In view of the above, an ex parte ad interim order is passed. It cannot seriously be disputed that the plaintiff (Bachchan) is a well-known personality and is also represented in various advertisements. The plaintiff is aggrieved by the defendants using his celebrity status to promote their own goods and services without his permission or authorisation. Having considered the plaint, I am of the opinion that a prima facie case is made out and the balance of convenience also lies in his favour.”

The matter on Amitabh Bachchan will be heard in March next year.

For the unversed, Personality rights also referred to as the right of publicity. They are rights for an individual to control the commercial use of their identities, such as name, image, likeness, or other unequivocal identifiers.

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