The Delhi High Court has granted protection to actor NTR’s personality and publicity rights. The order bars unauthorised commercial use of his name, image, likeness, and sobriquets.
Jr NTR
The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has passed an order protecting the personality and publicity rights of acclaimed actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR). The court’s intervention comes after a petition filed by the actor highlighting the widespread unauthorised and commercial misuse of his identity across various platforms. Taking note of the issue, the Hon’ble High Court granted protection to his personality rights.
Inclusions in personality rights
The order covers the unauthorised commercial use of his name and popular identifiers, including “NTR”, “Jr. NTR”, “NTR Jr.”, “Taarak”, “Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr.” and “Jr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao”, as well as his sobriquets such as “Man of Masses” and “Young Tiger”. The protection also extends to his image, likeness, and related attributes. The court has directed that any such unauthorised use, if found, must be removed in accordance with applicable laws.
At a prima facie stage, the Hon’ble Court expressly recognised that Mr Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao has acquired celebrity status in India, earning immense goodwill and reputation through a successful career. It was observed that his name, image, and likeness are uniquely associated with him in the public mind, entitling him to proprietary rights over his personality and associated attributes.
The court further held that personality and publicity rights form an integral part of the right to life and freedom under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India, and are enforceable under the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Action to be taken against misuse
Additionally, intermediary platforms have been directed to treat the plaint as a statutory complaint under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and to act on identified infringing links within the prescribed timelines.
The court also issued directions against unidentified and anonymous entities (John Doe defendants), restraining any individual—including online trolls and unknown offenders—from misappropriating or exploiting Mr NTR’s personality and publicity rights through merchandise, digital content, morphed images, AI-generated material, or any other technological means for commercial gain or misuse.
The order highlights the growing importance of protecting individual identity and reputation in the digital age and reinforces the responsibility of platforms and third parties to ensure the lawful and respectful use of public figures’ names, images, and personas. Any misuse or misrepresentation that harms the actor’s reputation will invite strict legal consequences.
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