Amitabh Bachchan Lawsuit: Delhi HC Passes Interim Restraining Order

Amitabh Bachchan filed a lawsuit in the Delhi high court against the world at large, seeking to have his personality rights protected. This means the protection of his name, image, voice, and personality attributes.

On behalf of Amitabh Bachchan, Harish Salve has filed the suit and appeared in court. The Delhi high court issued an interim order restraining people from violating Bachchan's personality and publicity rights. Justice Navin Chawla passed the order on Friday. Justice Chawla expressed that the defendants were using the veteran actor's celebrity status without his permission to benefit their businesses.

Amitabh Bachchan Lawsuit, Court Says

Justice Chawla noted, "The plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable loss and harm. Some of the activities may even bring his disrepute. In view of the above, an ex-parte ad interim order is passed. It cannot seriously be disputed that the plaintiff (Bachchan) is a well-known personality and is also represented in various advertisements."

"The plaintiff is aggrieved by the defendants using his celebrity status to promote their own goods and services without his permission or authorisation. Having considered the plaint, I am of the opinion that a prima facie case is made out and the balance of convenience also lies in his favour", added Justice Chawla.

The suit noted that Bachchan’s name, image, and voice were being used to conduct lotteries by illegally associating with Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Bachchan has also sought complaints against book publishers, T-shirt vendors, and various other businesses using him for unconsented advertisement.

More on this matter will be heard in March next year. Personality rights are basically, a right of an individual related to his or her personality which can be protected under the right to privacy or as property of a person. Personality rights have been of utmost importance for celebrities as their name could be used for trades without consent. This sort of usage could influence their sale, also the name or image could be misused very easily for personal trade. The renowned figures prefer to register their names to save their personality rights.

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