Amitabh Bachchan's Name, Voice, Pictures Can't Be Used Without Permission: Delhi HC

Delhi High Court on Friday passed an order restraining unauthorised use of actor Amitabh Bachchan's voice, image, or any other trait exclusively identifiable with him by any individual.

Amitabh Bachchan is currently hosting the 14th season of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’.

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New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Friday passed an order restraining unauthorised use of actor Amitabh Bachchan's voice, image, or any other trait exclusively identifiable with him by any individual. The order came after the actor’s lawsuit seeking protection of his personality rights. 

The lawsuit alleged misuse of his “publicity rights as a celebrity” by mobile application developers to conduct lotteries by illegally associating with Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). 

The court directed telecom authorities to make sure that action is being taken against people who are violating Amitabh Bachchan's rights and misusing his voice, image. 

It also directed telecom service providers to block access to telephone numbers circulating infringing messages. 

Justice Navin Chawla said it is undisputed that Bachchan is a well-known personality and is likely to suffer an irreparable loss and disrepute if relief is not granted at this stage. 

"I am of the view that the plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for grant of ex parte interim relief," the judge said. 

Senior advocate Harish Salve said the relief of injunction was sought not only against the individuals named in the lawsuit but also against “john doe” parties or unknown parties who may be exploiting Bachchan's publicity rights. 

The actor has also sought a restraining order against book publishers, T-shirt vendors and various other businesses. The matter will be heard in March next year. 

Advocate Salve said besides the lottery, domain names were registered under the actor's name; there was “Amitabh Bachchan Video Call” and even T-shirts bearing his photographs. 

Big B is currently hosting the 14th season of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. The actor had two back-to-back releases in two months – ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Uunchai’. While Goodbye, which was also Rashmika Mandanna’s Bollwydoo debut, didn’t do well at the box office, ‘Uunchai’, also starring Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Boman Irani, Parineeti Chopra, was loved by the audience and fared well at the ticket window.  

(With inputs from PTI)