Sunil Gavaskar Wins Personality Rights Protection in Landmark Delhi High Court Ruling

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has secured legal protection for his personality rights. The Delhi High Court issued a directive on Friday in his favor. The order targets social media platforms and unauthorized entities.The court told these intermediaries to act within seven days. They must address Gavaskar’s plea to stop the misuse of his name and image. This follows a similar swift order for actor Salman Khan just a day prior.

Gavaskar’s Legal Push Against Unauthorized Use

Gavaskar approached the court on Thursday. He sought to restrict several entities from commercially using his persona without permission. His petition specifically cited his name, image, voice, and likeness.The court, led by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, heard the case. Justice Arora advised Gavaskar’s counsel to first submit specific URLs to the social media platforms. The platforms are then expected to remove the violating content promptly.This legal action safeguards the cricketer’s brand and legacy. Unauthorized use can mislead fans and dilute his commercial endorsements. According to Reuters, such personality rights lawsuits are becoming a critical tool for public figures.

A Growing Legal Trend for Celebrity Rights

The Delhi High Court is now a central arena for these disputes. In recent months, it has handled cases for major Bollywood stars. Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Anil Kapoor have all sought similar protections.The court recognizes the unique threat posed by modern technology. Deepfakes and AI-generated content make impersonation easier and more damaging. Its rulings aim to balance an individual’s control over their commercial identity with freedoms like satire and news reporting.For celebrities, this legal precedent is a powerful shield. It affirms their exclusive right to profit from their own fame. The message is clear: unauthorized commercial exploitation will face legal consequences.

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The Delhi High Court’s order for Sunil Gavaskar reinforces a vital shield for celebrity personality rights. This landmark decision sets a clear precedent in the digital age. It empowers public figures to control their commercial identity against unauthorized use.

Thought you’d like to know

What are personality rights?

Personality rights are the legal rights to control the commercial use of one’s identity. This includes name, image, likeness, and other unique attributes. They prevent others from profiting off someone’s fame without permission.

Why are so many celebrities filing these suits now?

The rise of AI and deepfake technology has made impersonation dangerously easy. Celebrities see an urgent need to protect their brand and fans from misleading content. The Delhi High Court has established a reliable legal process for this protection.

How does the court’s order work?

The court directs social media platforms to act on specific complaints. Intermediaries are given a short deadline, like three or seven days, to remove violating URLs. This process operates under India’s IT Rules of 2021.

Does this limit free speech or parody?

The court has been careful to note its rulings do not affect protected spaces. Legitimate artistic expression, satire, parody, and news reporting remain unaffected. The orders specifically target unauthorized commercial exploitation.

Who else has won similar protection recently?

Besides Sunil Gavaskar, the court has recently granted orders to Salman Khan and journalist Sudhir Chaudhary. Earlier cases involved the Bachchan family and actor Anil Kapoor, creating a strong legal trend.