The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to Arjun Kapoor, safeguarding his personality rights against unauthorised use of his identity across digital platforms. The order comes amid growing concerns over misuse of celebrity likenesses, particularly through artificial intelligence and online content.
The court passed an ex parte ad-interim injunction restraining multiple entities, including websites and social media accounts, from exploiting Kapoor’s name, image, voice or likeness without his consent. This includes the sale of merchandise, unauthorised event bookings and other commercial activities falsely associated with the actor.
A key aspect of the case involved the circulation of AI-generated deepfake content, including obscene and sexually explicit material. The court noted that such content is not only unauthorised but also damaging to Kapoor’s reputation and public image. It observed that these actions were carried out for unlawful financial gain and could cause irreparable harm if not restrained.
In its ruling, the court directed major intermediaries such as Google and Meta to take down infringing links and disclose basic subscriber information of accounts involved in spreading such content. It emphasised that any use of Kapoor’s personality without permission would amount to a clear violation of his publicity rights.
The court also rejected arguments that some of the content could be classified as parody or satire, stating that the volume of material presented showed a clear pattern of infringement. It added that explicit deepfake videos were “vulgar” in nature and had the potential to damage the actor’s image beyond repair.
This development reflects a broader trend of Indian courts stepping in to protect personality rights in the digital age, especially as the rise of AI tools and online platforms increases the risk of identity misuse. Kapoor’s case adds to a growing list of public figures seeking legal recourse against such violations.
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