Manoj Bajpayee Seeks Protection

Introduction

Manoj Bajpayee, a renowned Indian actor, has approached the Delhi High Court to protect his personality rights from misuse, including through artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The 57-year-old actor filed a plea on Monday, alleging that his likeness is being used to promote products and that AI is being used to copy his voice and parts of his personality.

According to Live Law, the matter came up briefly before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav. Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar appeared for the actor, arguing that his client's image, voice, and identity are being misused.

Background and Timeline

The issue of AI misuse and personality rights has been a growing concern in recent years. With the increasing use of AI technology, it has become easier for individuals and companies to create content that copies or mimics a person's voice, image, or likeness without their consent.

In India, the Delhi High Court has been at the forefront of protecting personality rights. In recent years, the court has passed several orders in favour of public figures, including Tabu, Abhishek Sharma, and Yuvraj Singh, to protect their personality rights from misuse.

Allegations against the Defendants

One issue concerned H2PG Designs Private Limited, which allegedly used Manoj Bajpayee's photographs to suggest he was wearing suits made by the company. Another defendant is accused of using AI to create the actor's voice. He has also raised concerns about AI chatbots borrowing elements of his personality.

The court also raised the question of jurisdiction, with Justice Kaurav asking why Manoj Bajpayee had come to Delhi when he is mainly based in Mumbai. Sukumar replied that some defendants are based in Delhi, which gives the court power to hear the case.

Court's Response

The court suggested that the suit could be heard and decreed, especially where defendants do not seem to contest such matters. Justice Kaurav observed that there was "no point of burdening ourselves" with such cases if the Registrar could routinely handle them instead of holding detailed hearings.

Sukumar was asked to prepare a compilation of interim and final orders passed in earlier personality rights cases. She must also place on record how other High Courts have dealt with similar matters.

Expert Perspective

Experts say that the use of AI technology to create content that copies or mimics a person's voice, image, or likeness without their consent is a growing concern. "The use of AI technology to create fake content is a serious issue, and it's not just limited to celebrities," said a legal expert. "It's a concern for anyone who has a public image or persona."

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Implications for Readers in India

The case has implications for readers in India, particularly those who are public figures or have a significant online presence. It highlights the importance of protecting one's personality rights and being aware of the potential misuse of AI technology.

In India, the law provides protection for personality rights under the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Trademarks Act, 1999. However, the use of AI technology to create content that copies or mimics a person's voice, image, or likeness without their consent is a relatively new issue, and the law is still evolving in this area.

What to Watch Next

The case is likely to have significant implications for the use of AI technology in India, particularly in the context of personality rights. As the court hears the case, it will be important to watch how the judges rule on the issue of AI misuse and personality rights.

• Personality Rights: The right of an individual to control their name, image, and likeness.
• AI Misuse: The use of artificial intelligence to create content that copies or mimics an individual's voice, image, or likeness without their consent.
• Celebrity Endorsements: The practice of using a celebrity's name, image, or likeness to promote a product or service.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the case of Manoj Bajpayee vs. AI misuse is a significant one, highlighting the growing concern of personality rights and AI technology. As the court hears the case, it will be important to watch how the judges rule on the issue of AI misuse and personality rights, and how this will impact the use of AI technology in India.