Arjun Kapoor Takes Legal Action Against AI Misuse: A Fight for Personality Rights
Arjun Kapoor's Legal Battle Over Personality Rights
Actor Arjun Kapoor has filed a petition with the Delhi High Court, seeking to protect his personality rights amid concerns over the unauthorized use of his name, image, and likeness in AI-generated content, deepfakes, and explicit materials circulating online. His legal action aims to prevent such exploitation and defend his identity rights. The case was presented on April 29 before Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, with Advocate Pravin Anand representing Kapoor. The lawyer detailed how Kapoor's images and videos have been manipulated without his consent, appearing in altered formats across various online platforms and even on merchandise featuring distorted visuals.
In court, it was revealed that some of the contentious posts include digitally altered images portraying Kapoor in inappropriate situations. Anand argued that these visuals, created using artificial intelligence, are not harmless jokes but rather distort Kapoor's public persona in unacceptable ways. He raised concerns that unsuspecting viewers might mistake these altered clips for authentic content, potentially damaging Kapoor's reputation and privacy.
The court learned that these outputs go beyond simple fan edits, as they allegedly commercialize and sexualize Kapoor's likeness without his consent across digital platforms and products. Anand emphasized the emotional impact such portrayals could have on Kapoor, citing visuals that place him in absurd or vulgar scenarios. He stated, "Nobody would appreciate that. Not even an ordinary person," highlighting the dignity issues associated with misleading or explicit AI-generated content.
During the proceedings, Justice Gedela acknowledged the difficulties in regulating content related to public figures, noting that most individuals do not typically pursue legal action for personality rights violations. He recognized that while defamatory content might justify legal recourse, not all content falls into this category. The judge indicated that a comprehensive order regarding interim relief would be forthcoming, taking into account how existing personality rights laws, including landmark cases, relate to AI-generated and deepfake materials.
Kapoor's legal initiative is part of a growing trend of personality rights lawsuits emerging in Indian courts. Previous judgments have granted protection to various public figures, including actors and athletes, against identity misuse and deepfakes. Notably, Salman Khan has also launched a similar legal case, highlighting the ongoing struggles surrounding identity misuse in the digital era.