Law & Justice
Delhi High Court Grants Permanent Protection of Amitabh Bachchan’s Personality Rights
The Delhi High Court, in an order dated 5 November, permanently protected veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan’s personality rights. The court dismissed Bachchan’s 2022 suit after the actor had settled with four entities that acknowledged his publicity rights and right to privacy. The settlements required the parties to remove or discontinue use of the actor’s name, image, voice, or likeness. One party removed the mobile app “Amitabh Bachchan Video Call”; another discontinued a General Knowledge Quizbook featuring his image; a third stopped selling posters bearing his image, name and likeness; and a fourth deleted the domain name amitabhbachchan.in in November 2022, claiming no monetary benefit was derived. All four agreed not to use any aspect of Bachchan’s persona without his express permission.
The court noted that other defendants, including unnamed parties, had not appeared or filed written statements, and their right to file statements was closed on 25 September 2023. It observed that the statutory period for filing a written statement in a commercial suit cannot be extended. The court merged its interim order from November 2022 into the decree.
The order stated that the application was allowed and the suit was decreed against defendants 1, 3, 5 and 8 under paragraph 76(a) to (c) of the plaint and paragraph 7 of the application. The decree sheet would be drawn up by the Registry, incorporating the terms of the compromise. None of the defendants filed a written statement disputing the plaintiff’s case, and defendants 1, 3, 5 and 8 accepted the plaintiff’s rights and were subject to the decree.
The court added that the interim injunction dated 25 November 2022 also applied to John Does. The plaint revealed a continuing pattern of anonymous misuse of the plaintiff’s persona through websites, applications, posters and messaging platforms that could not be traced to identified persons. Accordingly, the decree under paragraph 76(a) to (c) also operates against defendant 10.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Delhi High Court decide regarding Amitabh Bachchan’s personality rights?
The court permanently protected his personality rights and dismissed his 2022 suit after he settled with four entities that acknowledged his publicity rights and right to privacy.
What actions did the four entities take after settling?
They removed or discontinued the use of Bachchan’s name, image, voice or likeness: one removed the mobile app “Amitabh Bachchan Video Call”; another discontinued a General Knowledge Quizbook featuring his image; a third stopped selling posters bearing his image, name and likeness; and a fourth deleted the domain name amitabhbachchan.in in November 2022.
Did any defendants file a written statement?
None of the defendants filed a written statement disputing the plaintiff’s case; the right to file statements was closed on 25 September 2023.