Kriti Sanon Moves Delhi High Court For Personality Rights Protection

Actor Kriti Sanon has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of her personality rights, with the court on Friday calling for a broader examination of the legal principles governing such claims.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav asked advocate Pravin Anand, appearing for Sanon, to submit a comprehensive compilation of judicial precedents and research material covering the scope of personality rights, the extent of protection available and the jurisdiction of the High Court’s Intellectual Property Division (IPD) to hear such disputes.

Observing that personality rights petitions are being filed frequently, the court said the legal questions required wider consideration beyond the facts of the actor’s case. It asked Anand to explain which attributes of an individual’s identity could receive legal protection and whether such disputes fall within the IPD’s jurisdiction.

Anand submitted that personality rights could extend to an individual’s name, voice, face, image, photographs and videos. He also highlighted concerns over the unauthorised commercial use of a person’s identity.

“Can you give me some research paper? Please give a compilation. Give me judgments and your understanding regarding personality rights,” the court observed, indicating that it would consider passing a comprehensive order after examining the material.

Anand told the court that the compilation would be filed during the day and submitted that there was no jurisdictional issue in Sanon’s case. The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 29.

RISE IN PERSONALITY RIGHTS PETITIONS

The proceedings come amid a growing number of personality rights cases filed by actors, sportspersons and other public figures before the Delhi High Court. Such petitions commonly concern the alleged unauthorised use of names, photographs, likenesses and voices, particularly for commercial purposes.

The court has previously dealt with claims involving actors Kangana Ranaut, Tabu and Vijay Deverakonda; cricketers Abhishek Sharma and Yuvraj Singh; Congress leader Shashi Tharoor; and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

AI AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS ADD TO THE CHALLENGE

The expansion of digital platforms and artificial intelligence has introduced new complications in personality rights disputes. Alleged misuse can include deepfakes, AI-generated images and voice clones, online impersonation, and the use of a public figure’s identity to market products or services without authorisation.

Personality rights broadly concern the protection of identifiable aspects of an individual’s identity against certain forms of unauthorised use or exploitation. Depending on the circumstances, such disputes may involve privacy, publicity rights, intellectual property and commercial interests.

Courts must also balance these protections against competing interests, including freedom of expression, news reporting, satire, artistic creativity and other legitimate uses of a public figure’s identity.

The compilation sought by the court is expected to assist in examining the boundaries of personality rights and the appropriate forum for adjudicating such disputes. No final ruling on the broader legal questions has been indicated at this stage.

With inputs from ANI