The Delhi High Court has issued a decisive injunction to counter the misuse of journalist Rajat Sharma’s image and India TV’s trademarks. This move comes in response to allegations of fraudulent promotions using Sharma’s persona to endorse dubious remedies for diabetes, joint pain, and other ailments.
The complaint highlighted unauthorized exploitation of Sharma’s name, likeness, and India TV’s registered trademarks, alongside doctored content falsely linking him to health products. These actions, the plaintiffs argued, not only jeopardized Sharma’s reputation but also misled the public.
The court ruled that the unauthorized use of Sharma’s identity and India TV’s copyrighted material posed a serious threat to their credibility. An interim order was issued restraining individuals and entities from leveraging Sharma’s persona or any AI-generated versions of his likeness. Similarly, the defendants were prohibited from using India TV’s trademarks or broadcasting its copyrighted shows, such as Aaj Ki Baat, without permission.
Additionally, the court directed Meta Platforms to remove the infringing posts and disclose the identities of those behind the content.
This ruling underscores the judiciary’s acknowledgment of personality rights and intellectual property protections, particularly in an era where digital and AI-driven misrepresentations are becoming increasingly prevalent.
