High Court
India TV’s Rajat Sharma wins personality rights and trademark case in Delhi High Court
Mumbai: India TV and Rajat Sharma have achieved a significant legal victory, protecting their trademark and personality rights from misuse of the India TV logo and the “Aap Ki Adalat” show and mark. The Delhi High Court has ruled, in an interim order, in favour of the senior journalist, Shri Rajat Sharma, recognizing his personality rights and India TV’s trademarks/logos.
India TV and Shri Rajat Sharma initiated legal action by filing a suit for a permanent injunction before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, seeking relief against an infringer who was unlawfully using trademarks/logos resembling “India TV” and “Aap Ki Adalat.” The infringing party, identified as “Jhandiya TV ” was utilizing an identical logo and the name ” Baap ki Adalat ” Additionally, the plaintiffs sought an injunction to prevent the unauthorized use of any photograph, video, or name of Shri Rajat Sharma, in violation of his personality rights, across various mediums including trademarks/logos, trading styles, domain names, social media posts, audio-video content, and related services.
Recognizing the merits of the case, the court issued an interim order granting protection in the following terms:-
1- Trademark and Logo Use Restrained: The infringing party and its representatives are barred from using the disputed trademark/logo, such as “Baap ki Adalat,” or any deceptively similar marks/logos to “India TV” and “Aap Ki Adalat” across various mediums including trademarks, trade names, logos, trading styles, domain names, social media posts, audio-video content, and related services.
2- Protection of Personality Rights: The infringing party and its representatives are prohibited from using the photograph, video, or name of Shri Rajat Sharma in any form (e.g., trademarks, logos, trading styles, domain names, social media posts, audio-video content, or related services) to prevent the violation of Shri Rajat Sharma’s personality rights.
3- Content Removal: Internet platforms [‘X’ (formerly Twitter), YouTube (Google India Private Limited), and Facebook (Meta)] have been directed to remove the disputed content, including social media posts/links containing the infringing trademarks/logos and any other deceptively similar marks/logos identified in the court application. Additional links identified by India TV must also be removed.
India TV and Shri Rajat Sharma stand resolute in safeguarding their intellectual property and personality rights. In the dynamic digital realm, where information spreads swiftly, preserving these rights is imperative. Emerging technologies underscore the crucial need for robust intellectual property protection, ensuring the preservation of reputation, integrity, and commercial interests. The commitment to pursue all legal avenues underscores the determination to maintain the integrity of its brand and identity in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
High Court
Bombay HC likely to protect Kartik Aaryan’s personality rights
Actor seeks Rs 15 crore damages over AI misuse, deepfakes and merch
MUMBAI: In an age where faces can be faked and voices cloned, even stardom needs legal armour. The Bombay High Court has indicated it will pass an order safeguarding the personality and publicity rights of Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, following allegations of widespread digital misuse of his identity.
The matter, heard by Justice Sharmila U. Deshmukh, centres on a plea filed by Aaryan seeking a broad John Doe injunction against 16 defendants, including e-commerce platforms, social media intermediaries and unidentified entities. The court noted the concerns raised and said appropriate orders would be issued.
At the heart of the case lies the growing threat of artificial intelligence-driven impersonation. Aaryan’s petition flags multiple instances of deepfake content circulating across platforms such as YouTube and Instagram, where his likeness has allegedly been used to create fabricated videos, including false romantic link-ups and objectionable scenarios designed to drive engagement.
In one particularly alarming example, the actor’s legal filing cites AI-generated visuals that falsely associate him with controversial global figures, including Jeffrey Epstein. The plea argues that such content not only misleads audiences but also causes serious reputational damage.
The concerns extend beyond content to commerce. The suit alleges that unauthorised merchandise bearing Aaryan’s name and image is being sold across platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart and Redbubble, without his consent. Additionally, the actor has raised red flags over AI-powered chatbots that mimic his voice and simulate conversations, warning of potential misuse in fraudulent activities.
Aaryan’s filing underscores that he is the registered proprietor of the trademark “Kartik Aaryan”, with his name, voice and likeness carrying significant commercial value. The unauthorised use of these attributes, the plea states, leads to “immediate and irreparable harm” to his goodwill.
Seeking both preventive and punitive relief, the actor has requested a permanent injunction restraining entities from exploiting his identity in any form be it name, voice, signature or distinctive dialogue style. He has also sought damages amounting to Rs 15 crore for alleged commercial misappropriation and reputational loss.
The case highlights a larger legal and cultural moment, where the lines between reality and replication are increasingly blurred. As AI tools become more accessible, courts are now being called upon to define the boundaries of identity in the digital age, where a face may be famous, but control over it is no longer guaranteed.
