Bollywood’s Karan Johar Seeks Legal Shield for Name and Likeness
Filmmaker seeks to stop unauthorized use of his persona.
Renowned filmmaker and producer Karan Johar has taken legal action to safeguard his personality and publicity rights, approaching the Delhi High Court on Monday with a plea to protect his name, image, and likeness from unauthorized commercial use. The case, which highlights the growing importance of personality rights in India, was brought before Justice Manmeet PS Arora, who scheduled further proceedings for 4 PM after seeking clarifications from Johar’s legal team.
Johar’s plea specifically targets websites and platforms illegally selling merchandise, such as mugs, t-shirts, and other items featuring his name and image without his consent. Represented by senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, Johar emphasized his right to control his persona, stating, “I have a right to ensure that no one unauthorizedly uses my persona, face, or voice.” The plea seeks a court order to halt these unauthorized sales and protect Johar’s publicity rights, which allow individuals to control and profit from their image, name, or likeness.
The case underscores the increasing relevance of personality rights in the digital age, where celebrities’ images are often exploited for commercial gain without permission. Johar, a prominent figure in Bollywood known for directing blockbuster films and hosting popular talk shows, is seeking to set a precedent in protecting his brand and identity from misuse.
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During the hearing, Justice Arora sought additional details from Johar’s counsel to better understand the scope of the violations and the specific platforms involved. The court’s decision could have significant implications for how personality rights are enforced in India, particularly for public figures in the entertainment industry.
Johar’s legal move comes amid a broader trend of celebrities taking action to protect their intellectual property and public personas. As online marketplaces and social media platforms make it easier for unauthorized vendors to profit from celebrity images, such cases are becoming more common. The outcome of this case could influence future legal battles over publicity rights in India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
As the hearing continues, Johar’s fans and industry observers await the court’s ruling, which could redefine the boundaries of celebrity rights in the country. The case is expected to shed light on the legal protections available to public figures in combating unauthorized commercial exploitation.
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