Salman Khan Seeks Landmark Personality Rights Protection in Court

Salman Khan Files Landmark Personality Rights Case in Delhi High Court

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has taken legal action to protect his identity. The Delhi High Court began hearing his lawsuit on Thursday. He is seeking to stop the unauthorized use of his name, image, and likeness.

This case is part of a growing trend where Indian celebrities are turning to the courts. They aim to safeguard their brand value and control their digital personas. According to reports from Live Law, the hearing was presided over by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora.

personality rights case

Court Directs Actor to Notify Social Media Platforms First

Justice Arora referenced her past rulings in similar celebrity cases. She indicated she would follow the same procedure here. The court will direct Salman Khan to first notify the social media platforms about the infringing content.

His legal team, led by Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, agreed to this direction. However, they argued for immediate relief against other defendants. These include e-marketplaces and entities allegedly selling unauthorized merchandise.

The court instructed specific defendants to review the case filings. They must act on them within three days. If they dispute any claims, they must notify the plaintiff’s team.

Celebrities Rally Against Digital Identity Theft and AI Misuse

Salman Khan’s lawsuit highlights a critical issue in the digital age. The misuse of celebrity identities online has become rampant. The rise of Artificial Intelligence tools for creating deepfakes has escalated the threat.

His plea states that unauthorized use misleads the public. It also causes irreparable harm to his commercial and personal rights. News agency ANI reported that his registered trademark “Being In Touch” was also being infringed upon.

The Delhi High Court has emerged as a key venue for such disputes. It has previously granted strong protections to stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor. The judiciary is balancing strong rights protection with the need to allow legitimate satire and news reporting.

This landmark personality rights case underscores a pivotal shift. Public figures are now actively defending their digital selves. The outcome will set a significant precedent for celebrity brand protection in India.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: What are personality rights?

Personality rights are the legal rights individuals have over their personal identity. This includes their name, image, voice, and signature. It prevents others from using these attributes for commercial gain without permission.

Q2: Why did Salman Khan go to court now?

The actor filed the suit to stop the misuse of his identity online. This includes unauthorized merchandise and social media impersonation. The increasing use of AI to create fake content has made such legal protection more urgent for celebrities.

Q3: Which other Bollywood stars have filed similar cases?

Several top actors have sought similar protections. The Delhi High Court has ruled on cases for Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Each case strengthens the legal framework for celebrity rights in India.

Q4: What was the court’s immediate direction?

The court directed Salman Khan to first notify social media platforms about the infringing content. If the issues persist after a week, the court will consider further orders. This follows a procedure established in earlier celebrity cases.

Q5: What is the “Being In Touch” trademark issue?

Salman Khan’s counsel pointed out an account using the handle “being in touch.” They argued it infringes on the actor’s registered trademark of the same name. The court noted defendants must consider these intellectual property rights before acting.

Q6: Does this affect news reporting or satire?

The court has clarified that genuine artistic work, satire, and news reporting remain protected. These activities can continue as long as they operate within constitutional limits. The rulings specifically target unauthorized commercial exploitation.