High Court
Mudrex wins court order against fraudulent websites
Mumbai: Mudrex, a global crypto investment platform has secured an order in its favor against a network of fraudulent websites that have been illegally using Mudrex’s trademarks to deceive the public. The Delhi high court under Justice Mini Puskarna issued a directive on 23 August 2024 for the immediate takedown of 38 websites that were found to be exploiting Mudrex’s brand name to carry out scams and defraud innocent individuals.
Mudrex received numerous complaints from the public, who reported being lured into investing substantial sums of money on these fraudulent platforms. These websites promised users various work opportunities, such as completing Google reviews, and offered monetary rewards upon task completion. However, these promises were part of a broader scam designed to extract money, and sensitive personal information, including Aadhar cards, PAN cards, bank statements, and property papers, from unsuspecting victims. Once these documents were obtained, the fraudsters ceased all communication, causing significant financial loss to these innocent individuals.
After becoming aware, Mudrex has taken proactive steps to protect its community by issuing advisories across its official social media channels and via email to its registered users, warning them of potential scams and fraudulent activities.
Moreover, Mudrex acted promptly by seeking an injunction to halt the fraudulent activities. The company’s legal team contended that the defendants had unlawfully exploited Mudrex’s trademarks, causing significant harm to innocent individuals by luring them into investing their hard-earned money through the misuse of Mudrex’s reputation and goodwill. Driven by a commitment to provide a safe and secure environment for its users, Mudrex approached the high court of Delhi to obtain the necessary relief and protect its community.
The court, recognising the severity of the situation and believing in Mudrex’s earnest efforts, has directed the defendants to take down the infringing websites within 48 hours of the order. If the defendants fail to comply, the court has empowered other relevant parties to block access to these websites immediately.
Commenting on this, Mudrex CEO & co-founder Edul Patel said, “We are committed to protecting our users and upholding the integrity of our brand. Most platforms in India face this issue, but we wanted to make sure it is addressed and solved for our users. Our focus remains on maintaining the trust of our users and reinforcing our commitment to a safe and reliable platform”.
Mudrex stands out as one of the virtual asset service providers in India to actively pursue legal action to ensure consumer protection. By taking a strong stance against fraudulent activities and safeguarding its brand integrity, Mudrex underscores its commitment to protecting its users from scams and malicious schemes. This proactive approach not only highlights Mudrex’s leadership in the industry but also sets a precedent for other service providers in prioritizing the security and trust of their consumers.
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.
