Government

Delhi High Court Issues Injunction against Unauthorized Use of Actor Jackie Shroff's Identity

Published May 19, 2024

In a significant legal win for Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, the Delhi High Court has issued an injunction preventing various entities from unlawfully employing his name, voice, and likeness for their commercial gains. Renowned for his extensive work in Indian cinema, Shroff has been vigilant about the protection of his personality rights. These rights encompass his popular name and sobriquets such as 'Jackie' and 'Jaggu Dadda', which have become synonymous with his persona among fans and the public at large. The ruling bars any unauthorized use of the actor's distinctive features without prior permission, effectively curbing entities from capitalizing on his celebrity status for promotional activities.

Protection of Personality Rights

The court's decision underscores the crucial nature of personality rights, which safeguard an individual's name, voice, image, and other distinctive characteristics from exploitation. This legal recognition ensures that public personalities like Jackie Shroff can maintain control over their identity and prevent misuse that may lead to false endorsements or associations. The ruling is a testament to the evolving jurisprudence on intellectual property rights and their extension to include personality rights within the legal framework in India.

Implications for Commercial Endeavors

The court's injunction has significant implications for businesses and marketing endeavours that might use the identity of celebrities to attract consumers. It places a clear demarcation on intellectual property rights and insists on obtaining consent before using any aspect of a person's identity for commercial purposes. As the order prohibits unauthorized usage, entities violating this dictum could face legal repercussions, including penalties for infringement.

injunction, celebrity, rights