Filmmaker Karan Johar has knocked on the doors of the Delhi High Court, asking for protection of his personality rights. He wants to stop people from cashing in on his name by selling unauthorized merchandise.
The move comes shortly after the court granted similar relief to actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, restraining several websites and online platforms from using Abhishek’s name or photos for profit without his consent.
After Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, filmmaker and TV host Karan Johar has also moved the Delhi High Court to protect his personality rights. The matter came up for hearing today, with Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao representing Johar. He told the court that Johar’s name was being wrongly used to raise money. “These are websites where my photos are downloaded. Various pages on various social media platforms are in my name, “he stated.
Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, told the Court that many of the comments highlighted in Johar’s lawsuit aren’t actually defamatory. Advocate Varun Pathak argued that issuing a broad injunction could set a dangerous precedent and lead to a flood of similar cases. “These are ordinary people having comments and having discussions. Now to drag them to Court for making an ordinary joke, “he mentioned.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora acknowledged that it isn’t possible to order the blocking or removal of every single LAN page. “Mr Rao, you have to look at two things, one is disparagement, which is different from memes. Memes are not necessarily disparaging. Then somebody is selling merchandise. Third is your domain name. Please specifically identify it, the Court will consider it. I think Mr Pathak is right, it cannot be every fan page. We cannot have an open-ended injunction, “Justice Arora said.
Rao argued that Johar has the authority to determine if he wants to allow only a single fan page. “There is a line between making fun… The platform becomes responsible. The more the memes, the more viral it is, the more money you make…I have a right to ensure that nobody uses my persona, or my face, characteristics without my consent. The fact that I chose to look the other way does not give any carte blanche to others, “he said.
After hearing the case for a while, the Court indicated that it might issue takedown orders for certain pages. If similar pages are identified later, Johar can report them to the social media platform, which may then take appropriate action. “If they don’t, you come to court, “Justice Arora added. The matter will be heard at 4PM today.
What’s the update on Aishwarya and Abhishek’s cases?”
The High Court observed that it is evident the defendant websites and platforms have been misusing Bachchan’s persona, including his name, images, and signature, without his permission, using technological means such as artificial intelligence. “These attributes are linked to the plaintiff’s professional work and associations in the course of his career. The unauthorised use of such attributes has the effect of diluting the goodwill and reputation associated with him,” Justice Tejas Karia said in the September 10 order.
The High Court observed that Bachchan has demonstrated a strong prima facie case for obtaining an ex parte injunction, with the balance of convenience leaning in his favor. The right to publicity, commonly referred to as personality rights, allows an individual to safeguard, control, and monetize their name, image, or likeness.
Who was named in the Bachchans’ suit?
The lawsuit names the following entities as defendants: Bollywood Tee Shop, Tee Public, Ice Poster, Top Pix, Wallpaper Cave, Wallpaper.com, GM Authentic Autos LLC, JS Sham Rock, and Etsy.