NEW DELHI: In a significant legal victory for the Indian film industry, the Delhi High Court has passed an order protecting the personality rights of actor and entrepreneur Vivek Anand Oberoi. The ruling mandates the immediate removal of offensive content, including AI-generated visuals and fake social media profiles, that exploited the actor’s identity without consent.
The Verdict: “John Doe” Order and Dynamic Injunction
Represented by advocate Sana Raees Khan, Oberoi secured a “John Doe” order—a legal tool used against anonymous or unidentified entities.
- Dynamic Injunction: The court granted a dynamic injunction, meaning the protection extends not just to current infringing links but also to any future mirrors or websites that may pop up with similar unauthorized content.
- Scope of Protection: The order safeguards Oberoi’s name, image, voice, and persona from unauthorized commercial exploitation and digital impersonation.
The Core Allegations
The lawsuit detailed a series of digital and commercial violations that were causing “incalculable loss” to the actor’s reputation:
- AI & Deepfakes: Several entities were using AI-created visuals and morphed images to create “distasteful” and offensive content.
- Unauthorized Merchandise: E-commerce platforms were found selling T-shirts, posters, and postcards bearing the actor’s likeness for profit without his authorization.
- Social Media Impersonation: Fake accounts were being used to mislead the public, harming Oberoi’s standing both as an actor and a successful entrepreneur.
A Precedent for Public Figures
Advocate Sana Raees Khan emphasized that the ruling sends a clear message that a celebrity’s life and persona are not “public property.”
“Mr. Oberoi’s legal victory sets a powerful precedent… Any further misuse of his persona for clickbait or profit will invite the full uncompromising weight of the judicial system,” she stated, noting the deep distress caused to the actor’s family and children by these online attacks.
Vivek Oberoi joins a growing list of prominent figures, including Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Salman Khan, and Raj Shamani, who have successfully approached the Delhi High Court to reclaim control over their publicity rights in the age of AI and digital piracy.